(1888PressRelease)
December 25, 2006 - Google announced on Dec 22 that the rules permitting the use of images with AdSense have changed. Google AdSense will no longer permit the use of images in line with AdSense ads. Up until recently publishers have relied on using this technique to receive bigger paychecks by achieving a higher click through ratio or CTR.
Google will most likely give publishers a small leeway to get their sites changed to comply with the new regulations. However this seems to be Christmas present that no AdSense publisher seen coming. Many Internet marketers will be greatly effected by this change.
Google had this to say - “We ask that publishers not line up images and ads in a way that suggests a relationship between the images and the ads. If your visitors believe that the images and the ads are directly associated, or that the advertiser is offering the exact item found in the neighboring image, they may click the ad expecting to find something that is not actually being offered. That’s not a good experience for users or advertisers.”
Not only are just AdSense publishers effected though. This change seemed to send a ripple effect through the Pay Per Click community and many other services quickly followed suit. For example Clicksor released this comment the same day.
“Clicksor has prohibited the use of images directly beside text ads.
Dear Publishers,
Clicksor.com is announcing that all publishers are not allowed to line up images and ads in ways that suggest a direct relationship between the two. Clicksor.com is banning this activity to avoid any negative experiences for users and advertisers. Publishers who violate the above rule will be suspended. Earnings generated by publishers performing such activities will be withheld.”
This big change is very reasonable even though some publishers may strongly disagree. I am sure no web site visitor likes being tricked into clicking on a link that leads them in the wrong direction. This also wastes the advertisers money since he / she pays Google every time somebody clicks on their AdSense ad.
By Google implementing this change in the AdSense policy many publishers will suffer. On the flip side this will improve the overall experience of many sites visitors as well as AdWords advertisers.
For more information on how to improve your AdSense CTR and invest in AdSense backgrounds visit - http://www.adsensebackgroundimages.com
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