When creating a new AdSense content ad, the first option presented to a publisher is if they would like only text ads, image ads, or both, text and image ads. I’m going to share a little known AdSense secret… ready?

When an image ad appears on your site, it has beat out AT LEAST two text ads at auction for a specific keyword phrase or for targeted advertising on your site. What does this mean? Well, obviously, higher CPC and, more money. Bottom line- image ads are not only good- they’re great and you want them on your site. Always opt in for “text and image ads” when creating new AdSense ads for your blog.

Related posts:

  1. How to Wrap AdSense Ads in WordPress Using HTML
  2. It's official- AdSense Video Ads
  3. Review: TNX.net Contextual And Text Link Advertising… Realized Or Pipedream?
  4. Traffic Generation part 5
  5. Where Adsense Should Appear


  1. Josiah from Free iPad (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Absolutely agree, image ads generally have a higher CPC for most of my sites. In some cases text ads have worked better but certainly not the majority of the time.

  2. Excel Forum (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    yeah why aren’t there controls? but that’s also a good thing to your articles. These ads makes it possible to transfer from one site to another.

  3. Engineering In India (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Why aren’t their controls within the Blogspot widget for AdSense to turn on image ads there? Instead, they are locked into text-only ads.

  4. Forest (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Great tips Jeni, I added image ads a few months ago to all my blogs and definitely saw an increase in cpc.

  5. hottest deals (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    AdSense has added to their line-up of image ad sizes by adding both the Square and Large Rectangle. With the large rectangle being such a common ad unit size, I was always surprised it wasn’t in the current image ad size lineup.

  6. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I think it depends a lot on your content, i seem to have better results with image ads when the post is about gaming or films and better results with text ads on other posts.

    • Laptop Briefcases (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      Yes this is definitely not a universal rule. There will be sites or niches where the image ads just don’t do as well. As with any ads, you should test to see which performs best for your particular site. In some cases the image ad just may not be relevant resulting in low click thru rates.

  7. Excel Forum (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I always select ads that run both text and image ads. If you really like banners as ads and select only image ads, there is a small possibility that you might see PSA’s if there are no image ads available for those keywords.

    • Laptop Briefcases (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      Good point. You do want to still display text ads when the image ad is not available. Some advertisers may have low daily limits or some advertisers might even block your site if the traffic doesn’t convert well enough.

  8. Engineering In India (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I’ve just started to use image ads on my blog, going to be testing it for a few months and see how it goes thanks for great title sharing.

  9. stag do (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Blame Hurricane Alex, the first major storm of the season, bearing down on Mexico. It has already disrupted cleanup efforts on the coast.

  10. Printer Ink Man (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Just about to start adsense again, so will bear that in mind

  11. Escort Service London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I prefer the text ads based on my experience.

  12. Escort Service London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Text Ads earns me much dollars.

    • Laptop Briefcases (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      Yes for some sites text ads are still going to do much better. One advantage that text ads have is that they display several ads at once. Those varied anchor texts increase the chance of a click thru. One of those ads may be just what your website visitor is looking for.

  13. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I have a blog and was wondering if I should use adsense or w/e to earn money. How would I convince my parents to let me?

  14. used tires (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I think you have to go on a site by site case on this one, I think sure the money might be higher, but it doesn’t mean that the image will deliver a better CTR. I would say test, test, and test for your specific website. Because for me, I’ve always seen text ads work best.

    Till then,

    Jean

    • brilliantjeni (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      You bring up a valid point, that I didn’t actually cover in this post.

      This post covered EPC rather than CTR. According to a Google AdSense employee, Google Image ads do pay more than text ads. That part is a fact.

      However, as you mentioned, this does not necessarily mean an image ad will make the most money on sites across the board. If text ads on a particular site get mad clicks, and have less traffic, text ads may be the way to go.

      • used tires (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

        Thanks Jeni! All your points were true as well :D

        Till then,

        Jean

  15. Harshit Singhal (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Text ads are better anyday !
    Harshit Singhal´s last blog ..Argentina Coach Diego Maradona SackedMy ComLuv Profile

    • used tires (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      @Harshit Singhal, you can’t assume that for every website Harshit, other wise you might be losing out on potential profit if you don’t test!

      Till then,

      Jean

      • SEO (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

        Yes, you are right my friend. Nice stuff indeed.

  16. hottest deals (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I’ve just started to use image ads on my blog, going to be testing it for a few months and see how it goes.
    hottest deals´s last blog ..New Arrive – Galaxy Manchester Home Unisex Medium – Large Plush Microfibre 280 GSM Coral Fleece Bath Robe – Chocolate – 2595My ComLuv Profile

  17. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Thanks for this tip! As of now, I am implementing a text ads only for my blog. But I think I have to convert one of my ads to text and image ads.

  18. Jesse (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Awesome to hear Jeni!

  19. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    In my view text ads are little bit unworthy. Most of the new computer users are not looking on such things. they simply clicked on the image ads since it’s looking different and attractive.

    • Java Faqs (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      Wow!I find here mind blowing thought on this post with a have a great suggestion….

  20. hottest deals (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I am now using text only option as text ads seem to appear more targeted. Banners shout ads and users avoid clicking them.
    hottest deals´s last blog ..New Arrive – Toilet Roll Tissue Paper Towel Holder Bathroom Accessory – White – 995My ComLuv Profile

    • used tires (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      @hottest deals, that’s another good observation, the banner blindness effect is essentially what you get with an image ad, especially depending on the location of it! So, definitely for an image ad to be effective you will have to place it in the right location!

      Till then,

      Jean

  21. Escort Agency London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Text ad is still the best way of earning money from adsense.

  22. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I’m guilty of having used the default text/image ads on one site of mine. Hey, I’m newbie and I always thought the default setting is the safest and best.

  23. smart meters (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I haven’t tried yet image ads but from this post it is very clear that whicch ads can be better. Text ads and image ads both have very different view and different way.

  24. Pacquiao vs Margarito (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    You Rock! All these months after my adsense was approved by Google, I always stick with Image ads because I though they pay higher than text ads. Thanks for the tips.
    Pacquiao vs Margarito´s last blog ..The Upsides of a Pacquiao-Margarito Match-UpMy ComLuv Profile

  25. value of website (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Thanks for all great tips. I love Google’s adsense program earning with it a lot from last 2-3 years.
    Wonderful post, I really enjoyed reading it! The people you meet when you travel really are often the best part of it all!

  26. I think text ad is the best way to earn huge profit.I am implementing a text ads only for my blog. I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.
    best electronic cigarette on the market´s last blog ..optimobe- Website value- Traffic reports- Whois lookup and Domain informationsMy ComLuv Profile

  27. Escort Agency London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    According to Google, text ads are the best way to earn for online publishers.

    • Laptop Briefcases (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      I would have to agree with them. Since there are more text advertisers, it makes sense that those prices would get driven higher. Since text ads can blend into a site better, they often result in better click thru rates.

  28. daily life photo (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I have seen alot of people make an effort to discus and write about this subject…and i have seen a lot of failures…but you have hit the nail on the HEAD….I agree totally and am looking forwardto your view on other subjects….
    daily life photo´s last blog ..Continuing Pakistani floodsMy ComLuv Profile

  29. daily life photo (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I think it depends a lot on your content, i seem to have better results with image ads when the post is about gaming or films and better results with text ads on other posts…..
    daily life photo´s last blog ..Continuing Pakistani floodsMy ComLuv Profile

  30. value of website (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Great blog post! Thanks for this tip! As of now, I am implementing a text ads only for my blog. But I think I have to convert one of my ads to text and image ads. keep on updating like that.
    value of website´s last blog ..gadgetlifecn- Website value- Traffic reports- Whois lookup and Domain informationsMy ComLuv Profile

  31. Escort Agency London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Text Ads will blend on your site easily, one factor that is major chosen by publisher than those image ads.

  32. Escort Agency London (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    It would make sense if someone could gather a very good points to which of these two are highly recommend for us, publishers.

  33. indiashining (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    TEXT ADS PAYS FAR HIGHER THAN IMAGE ADS. THAT IS WHY GOOGLE USES ONLY TEXT ADS TO DISPLAY ON IT SERP.FURTHER YOU ARE SEEING BETTER PAYING FROM GOOGLE IS BECAUSE GOOGLE IS LOSING MARKET SHARE BETTER FOR US.THOSE ADS WILL COME TO US. SO USE ONLY BING.

  34. Pomegranate Fruit Juice (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Awesome article post! Good point. You do want to still display text ads when the image ad is not available. Some advertisers may have low daily limits or some advertisers might even block your site if the traffic doesn’t convert well enough. Awaiting for your next good one.
    Pomegranate Fruit Juice´s last blog ..linkalarmcom- Website value- Traffic reports- Whois lookup and Domain informationsMy ComLuv Profile

  35. Tailors (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I think sure the money might be higher, but it doesn’t mean that the image will deliver a better CTR.thanks for shearing…

  36. SEO (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    Excellent! I would like to say thank you for sharing this cool article. Bookmarked and sharing for friends.

  37. book buyback (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I would say Image adds, because they do get a higher cpc turnover rate.

  38. Pacquiao vs Margarito (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    It simply depends on what works best for your website. You may try to experiment for at least a couple of weeks on which is better of the two. If the texts works best, then go for it. Image Ads are not always the best but works for some websites.
    Pacquiao vs Margarito´s last blog ..Pacquiao vs Margarito Live StreamMy ComLuv Profile

  39. make cash on the internet (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I think some of what works for website will be niche dependent to be perfectly honest. When in doubt test, test, TEST IT!!! lol. I also think some of this will depend on how you have your website structured. Some people will just blindly add adsense thinking it can’t hurt. If the main income generation method of your site is affiliate commisions and you only get a few dollars here and there from adsense, you wont want the adsense to cause a decline in your affiliate sales. Just my two cents

  40. Paul (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I prefer to use both types of ads. Let’s face it, Google AdSense will display the highest paying ads so why would I prevent the highest-paying from being displayed? While text ads may convert better, would three clicks from a text ad pay the same as one click from an image ad?
    Paul´s last blog ..10 Important Things I Learned About BloggingMy ComLuv Profile

    • brilliantjeni (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

      and that is actually the right approach; opting for both image and text ads rather than only text or image ads. Most new bloggers won’t be offered image ads in the beginning as it is, but once they do, it’s best in this case to allow Google the option to serve whichever ads will perform best.

      • Aluminum Carrying Cases (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

        Sure Google may try to serve the most profitable ads, but they cannot predict all user behavior. They obviously know which advertiser is bidding the most. The problem is that the image ad may have lower click thru rates as what the text links could have had. In some cases the text ads might be much more interesting and click worthy.

  41. vinyl graphics (Reply) on Tuesday 20, 2010

    I hate most image ads because they are so tacky! thanks..

  42. Just wanna say awesome. Excellent! I would like to say thank you for sharing this cool article. Bookmarked and sharing for friends. keep on ..


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