I’m a sucker for how-to articles containing tips for increasing Google AdSense revenues. But lately, most of the tips being thrown around aren’t all that new. Case in point: Kalena Jordan’s Ten Steps to Boost Your AdSense Commission.
- Color code your ads to match your web site palette exactly. - check.
- Try not to use the traditional horizontal banner style or leaderboard image ads because people are blind to them. - horizontal image ads yes, but leaderboard text ads rule!
- Use Google’s own AdSense optimization tips and visual heat map to assist you in deciding where on your page to place your AdSense ad code. - Isn’t this a given?
- Research competitive keywords using a keyword research tool such as Keyword Discovery or grab a list of the most popular keywords from various sources and use them in your web site pages where relevant. - Errr… check!
- Incorporate the AdSense code into your page so that the ads look like a regular part of your site. - that’s the same as number 1 right?
- Use Google’s new 4 and 5 link ad units wherever possible. - link units, definitely one of the greatest usability failures of our times.
- Place arrows or images next to your ads to draw attention to them. - add the “add borders” clause, else AdSense spam police might get you.
- Use the full allowance of multiple AdSense ads on each of your pages - 3 regular AdSense ads, plus 1 link unit. - having too many ads may hurt your brand. More so for blogs. It’s like having a home with 3 huge billboards and 1 running LCD board at the facade.
- Tailor your page content to a particular niche or focus. - check.
- Use custom Ad Channels for each of your ad placements. - do this. You can’t manage what you can’t measure.
*** Italicized comments are mine.