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Silv
Joined: Aug 10, 1999
# Posts: 1668
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 04:36
It looks like Google has elected to add something new to the AdSense ads this evening (other than color customization).
Each banner now bears a "related searches" link leading to searches on google. From the link parameters, it doesn't look like these links are paid at all.
This is definitely something that will affect the Clickthrough Ratio; I'm not crazy about losing visitors in in 'unpaid' fashion. I didn't mind the "Ads by Google" bit; that probably helped, but the related searches (being targeted) will attract clicks that otherwise could have gone to the ads.
In addition, it appears that the 'default' ads have changed. Instead of the PSAs - a blank banner with the colored bar at the bottom is shown. The caption reads "This blank space brought to you by Google". Ok, so good sense of humor, but...
Thoughts? I'm interested to hear what others think, and also interested if anyone has heard anything specifically from Google about these issues. Keep in mind that this started an hour or two ago, and might be further changed by morning.
[ Message was edited by: Silv 08/06/2003 09:12 pm ]
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unreviewed
Joined: Dec 07, 2000
# Posts: 6776
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 07:24
I happened across this thread. Barry (MakeMeTop), answered a question regarding "top search engines".
At the bottom of the Google ad's, was...
Related Searches:
best search engine
Interesting, so now the top link and the bottom link is for an unpaid Google ad.
Are you going to complain? Who would you complain to? After all, they are just "little links". What's the harm... Google is delivering the bucks... right?
If Google wants to change the agreement without asking any of its affiliates... why not, it's their show. They are at the top and one of the most profitable affiliate programs available, and the easiest "major affiliate program" to join/qualify.
What's there to talk about really. Take it or leave it.
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Silv
Joined: Aug 10, 1999
# Posts: 1668
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 08:37
Heh. Unreviewed.. Tongue in Cheek, or serious? (It's late, I'll probably get it in the morning).
On the 468x60's in some cases there are 2 related searches, one link to google, and 2 ads. More non-paid links than paid...
At any rate, this has been added to the FAQ:
https://www.google.com/adsense/faq#basics11
I had to kind of laugh at the "Neither Google nor AdSense publishers earn any revenue from clicks on related searches." While that statement is technically true, I'm willing to bet they (Google) make money if a user clicks a related search, then clicks an AdWords ad on the results page. The publisher, on the other hand, is out.
While I think it's a cool feature, I don't think it much belongs on an ad banner - where the "point" is to generate revenue.
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unreviewed
Joined: Dec 07, 2000
# Posts: 6776
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 08:48
Ruefully Silv, I'm just amazed with this whole Google thing. Why is Google allowed to act like Microsoft... but without a word of complaint?
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thejenn
Joined: Aug 08, 2001
# Posts: 9196
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 13:04
Because Google gives us the warm fuzzies? I dont' see Microsoft throwing a big "dance" for SES at their corporate headquarters... 
I'm not saying what they are doing is ok, I think it's sneaky and wrong. But to an extent, Bill is right...what ya gonna do? I suppose if enough webmasters pitched a fit and cancelled their AdSense accounts, that might tell them something, but with the revenue those ads produce, there will be people lined up to take our places.
How's that for defeatest? 
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Brad
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts:
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 17:29
I think a lot of publishers will keep an eye out for something better, or at least equal, if it should come along. Many of them would never have considered leaving Adsense before.
If Google had been forthright from the start and showed the related searches from the very start there would be far less outcry, and fewer signups, but the way they did it is dodgy. Amazing what can happen in 24 hours - Google had the undisputed "Rolls Royce" ad network for smaller sites, now it's a Ford or Chevy.
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jbgilbert
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
# Posts: 321
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Posted: 2003-Aug-07 23:33
Hey guys... Just went to one of my sites and the "related searches" is no longer on the AdSense ads!
Anybody else seeing the same thing?
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Silv
Joined: Aug 10, 1999
# Posts: 1668
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Posted: 2003-Aug-08 00:24
Looks Google has pulled the feature from now. From what I understand, it will be back .. but with publishers being able to opt out. Very very good.
Unreviewed - I agree; I've been of that mind since they released a popup blocker and an ad network in the same week. At this point I'm not critical, but extremely, extremely wary. Their actions in this case are good sign.. but I choose to remain wary. Absolute power and all (but that's another topic entirely).
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Curious_Mark
Joined: Dec 02, 2001
# Posts: 2142
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Posted: 2003-Aug-08 03:27
Call me gullible or something, but I am going to approach this from a public service point of view. Google has always tried to walk a fine line, and not become completely dominated as an advertisers engine. This reasoning I think follows them in the AdSense offering.
I think they are aware that their name can easily get associated with commercial paid listings to their detriment, and they are attempting to lessen that possibility.
People running AdSense are paying with their web space, but at least it is not cash out of hand so to speak. If Google does establish this service as viable for both partners, and still partially supplied by general search placement results, the browsing public will still benefit. This will allow Google to maintain their commitment to a fair Internet.
I am not saying that advertisers are certainly not going to lose some money, they are, and while Google itself benefits somewhat. That said i do not want to see Google become completely driven by commercial content. Then it is just going to be more of the same thing everywhere. Naive? I'm sure I am, but this may prove to be decent, and a non-issue if the feature can be opted out of.
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unreviewed
Joined: Dec 07, 2000
# Posts: 6776
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Posted: 2003-Aug-08 04:17
What I find ironic, is that Google for so long was admired for being ad free. Only later to become the supplier for a type of Internet advertising, that is going where no ad has gone before...
I'm not saying this isn't a good thing, after all, I'm an advertiser, not a publisher.
But the feature as implemented yesterday was a red flag for publishers. At the very least it should have been implemented as a page refresh that would bring up a new set of ad's. And the "feature" should have been brought to the attention of the publishers before the fact not after.
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crash
Staff
Joined: Dec 02, 2003
# Posts: 10626
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Posted: 2003-Aug-08 21:46
InternetNews.com Article regarding AdSense & Related issues
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