Placing images along side Google AdSense ads has always been a controversial issue.
Apparently, AdSense publishers had observed increased ad click-through rates (CTR) when images are cleverly placed beside ads. I have not experimented with this idea although I knew about it for quite some time.
There was even this notion that such image placements would be legal as long as there is a visible border between the images and the ads.
Recently, Google has set the record straight on image placements beside ad units. Here’s what Google has 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 isn’t actually being offered. That’s not a good experience for users or advertisers.
Guess what? Having a space or border in between the images and ads is a NO NO.
I have noticed AdSense guru Joel Comm had removed the images from his ads in his blog.
The policy does not imply that you can’t have ads on web page with images. The key thing to remember is that when placing ads (or images for that matter), do not go for arrangements that will mislead or confuse your visitors.
So, those of you who used to enjoy higher CTR because of the clever image placements better rethink of your ad layout optimization strategy now.
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