Trying to keep up with Google's algorithm changes is a full time job. One of the more recent announcements by Google discusses possible penalties for ad placement. Advertisements on a website or blog are what brings in the revenue, but too many in the wrong spots and you're likely to get slapped by Google ... again.
You'll get the most clicks from ads placed above the fold, but too many and your rankings will suffer. If you want to make money, you need ads, but strive for a better balance -- don't let the ads overshadow your content.
Google isn't going to tell us outright how much is too much, but stand back and look at your page with fresh eyes. Are you drawn to the ads before the text? Eye-catching ads are fine, but you also want your post to be read. Post quality content, using words to draw your reader in. The longer they're on the page, the more likely they'll see the ads, without them being 'in your face'.
You'll get the most clicks from ads placed above the fold, but too many and your rankings will suffer. If you want to make money, you need ads, but strive for a better balance -- don't let the ads overshadow your content.
Google isn't going to tell us outright how much is too much, but stand back and look at your page with fresh eyes. Are you drawn to the ads before the text? Eye-catching ads are fine, but you also want your post to be read. Post quality content, using words to draw your reader in. The longer they're on the page, the more likely they'll see the ads, without them being 'in your face'.
Thanks for the tip! I was looking at some of my sites, and was wondering about this exact thing. Time for some changes.
ReplyDeleteIt seems they weigh the amount of real content vs. ads and links too. Spammy stuff likely has little original content.
ReplyDeleteYou started something here ... got me thinking! And I linked to this post. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHow do you balance substance vs. spam in blogging for search results?
Great advice. I hate blogs that are too spammy.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to a blog that loads too slow because of the ads, I close it before it even loads. I don't have time for all that.
ReplyDeleteI generally ignore ads on blogs because I am there to read the content. While I have a scant few ads on my own blogs, I don't begrudge someone making money from ads but I want to read what they have to say or I wouldn't be there in the first place.
ReplyDelete