AdSense Optimization

Optimal Ad Sizes for AdSense Revenue Maximization

Size matters when it comes to AdSense revenue optimization. We've got the scoop on which ads are doing well for web publishers.

As a web publisher, you spend a lot of time thinking about new ways to boost the earning potential of your content site.

If you've been in the game for any length of time, you know that success isn't just about traffic. It's about conversions - encouraging your site's users to respond to calls to action located throughout your website.

Google AdSense is a great resource for revenue-minded web publishers. Rather than tracking down advertisers on your own, Google places ads on your site and rewards you for the number of people who either view or respond to their ads. But AdSense ads aren't one-size-fits-all advertising solutions. To maximize conversions, you need to pay attention to the way Google ads appear on your site. Everything from ad color to ad placement is on the table and even small changes can translate into higher ad revenue.

One of the things you'll need to consider is the size of the ads Google places on your site. If the ads are too big, you run the risk of alienating your site's users; if they're too small, they will remain invisible to all but the most observant viewers. When it comes to Google ad size, bigger isn't always better. Here's what you need to know . . .

Ad Size Basics

The rule of thumb regarding Google ad size is to select ad sizes that enhance the user's experience with your site and with the ad content itself. Although you can use channels to experiment with various ad sizes, you will eventually discover a specific ad shape and size that yields the most revenue for your site. In general, web publishers have discovered that wide ads are more effective than tall ads. Why? Because they make it easier for the user to read ad content without having to navigate frequent line breaks or excessive amounts of written text.

Best Practices

• The best performing ad sizes tend to be the 336x280 Large Rectangle, the 300x250 Medium Rectangle, and the 160x600 Wide Skyscraper. However, these ads may not necessarily perform well for your site. Test multiple sizes to identify the ads that generate the highest volume of responses from your users.
• Smaller ads sprinkled throughout your content can be much more effective than large ads positioned outside of the user's field of view. Bigger usually isn't better; in fact, a large AdSense ad can actually drive users away from your content.
• Since taller ads tend to underperform when compared to wider ads, keep in mind that every additional line of ads contained on your site can negatively affect revenue. Start with thin, wide ads and then test slightly taller ads during the optimization process.

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