I read an article titled “Google and blog advertising“ that basically introduces Google’s blog advertising service, Google Adsense. Based on the article, what Google Adsense does is that it first scans a particular blog on pertinent keywords and thereby selecting appropriate text adverts.
I’m sure we’ve all seen some of these Adsense adverts and subsequently learn it ignore it. I am guilty of ignoring Adsense, that is why I did not install it on my blog. The article made it sound special and workable, but ignores important details like how blog readers learn to disregard those advertisements. We all know how Google Adsense ads look like; they always feel like spam or fake hyperlinks in my opinion. For example, I go to a blog to read about WordPress themes, and then I see a banner that tells me “oh, this website has FREE premium themes for download”, or something to that effect. Somehow it just feels really iffy when I see such a banner. The more I see such things, the more I reject it.
Another reason why I didn’t install Adsense is that it’s ugly and I don’t know where to hide it. I could hide it at the bottom, but then that will fail to generate any impressions or clicks since no one really pays attention to it. I read in another article on advertising on blogs, placement of Adsense is important. They suggested placing it under the header so that it will possibly blend in with the text or something. Frankly, I still find Adsense jarring. What’s worst? Bloggers, and website owners who like to stick it in the middle of posts. Does that help in making people click on those links? I’m not too sure myself.
These are things the articles could have mentioned, and not just paint a one-sided view of the benefits of Adsense.
