MILLIONS TIPS

• Blend – Most successful Adsense users seem to be taking the approach of blending their ads into the overall theme of their page. This often means making the ad’s background (and often border) the same (or similar) colour to the background of the page and making the title and URL the same as links of the rest of the page. In this way the ad does not stand out as being ‘ad-like’. Having said this I know of a few bloggers who take the opposite approach and make their ads as bright and ugly as possible in the hope of attracting the attention of their readers. I don’t subscribe to this because I think it cheapens the overall feel and look of a page.

• In Content – More and more bloggers (and webmasters) are putting their ads inside the main body of their posts. In this way the ads are prominent and more likely to be seen by readers as they read your content. If your text wraps around the ads this can be quite effective. On the flipside of this argument is that you may run the risk of frustrating your readers with dominant ads. People reading content online are a fickle bunch and get easily turned off by blatant advertising.

• Above the Fold – it is generally accepted that your Adsense ads should be placed towards the top of your page and be visable without your reader having to scroll down. Studies show that blog visitors stay on average for only 60 or so seconds, many without scrolling down. If you ads are hidden towards the bottom of your page you decrease the likelihood of them ever being seen let alone clicked.

• Left is Best – Google has put together a ‘heat map’ which is probably the best thing that you can look at when thinking about the positioning of your ads. You’ll see from it that they have found that ads on the left hand side of the page do much better than those on the right hand side.

1. Too Dominent? – The position and design of your Adsense ads needs to be balanced with the overall purposes and design of your blog. What is the priority of your blog – is it to make money or is it something else. I have a number of blogs – and place ads differently on each depending upon their purposes. For example this blog is not a commercial blog – I’m more interested in building relationships, sharing and hearing others ideas and updating those interested in what I’m doing with my life. As a result my Adsense Ads are in a less prominent banner position and are designed to fit with the overall theme of the blog. However on my Digital Photography Blog there is obviously a more commercial intent (as well as it being something of a passion and hobby). As a result I experiment with more prominent Adsense ads (usually skyscraper and within content).

Google does not accept every site that applies to the Adsense program.

• Google Adsense Program Policies indicate that the content of sites must not contain things like excessive profanity, pornography, illicit drugs etc. Basically your blog needs to have content that is reasonably ‘family friendly’.
• Also in their policy document is a reference to them not normally accepting pages of a personal nature. This is the topic of discussion in many Adsense forums and is obviously open to different interpretations. Many (if not most) blogs are personal in nature – however to maximize your chances of approval by Adsense a blog should be targeted on a particular topic/s. For example whilst this blog is often personal in nature – most of my individual posts (pages) focus on very specific themes which are repeated throughout the blog. update – this may have changed recently with Blogger now allowing blogger blogs to use Adsense.
• Sites accepted into the Adsense program are also required to be easily navigable, have an adequate quantity of text based content (don’t apply if you’ve been blogging a week) and be written in English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, or Spanish. They may not to have excessive advertising or other contextual/competing advertising.
• Whilst not stated in the Adsense Policy document, many also believe that sites accepted into the program also need to have reasonable levels of traffic. If your blog is new, it may be worth waiting a few weeks or months before applying to build up traffic and content levels. Others speculate that a professionally designed, well-organized and privately hosted blog has a better chance of being accepted. The more professional and successful your blog appears the more likely it is to be accepted by Adsense.

• You have a blog. Whilst most of the following tips will apply to other types of websites I run Adsense on blogs and will speak from that experience.
• You have (or will) read a basic overview of Adsense and have some understanding of what it is.
• You have(or will) read the program policies as outlined by Google. These give details of site eligibility, ad placements and other requirements for using the system.

1.     Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
2.     Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
3.     Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight. 

1. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart rates and that strengthen your muscles.
2. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. Include activities that raise their breathing and heart rates and that strengthen their muscles and bones.
3. Physical activity helps to:

•         Maintain weight
•         Reduce high blood pressure
•         Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and several forms of cancer
•         Reduce arthritis pain and associated disability
•         Reduce risk for osteoporosis and falls
•         Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

1.     Wear helmets, seat belts, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
2.     Wash hands to stop the spread of germs.
3.     Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s, or (second hand), smoke.
4.     Build safe and healthy relationships with family and friends.
5.     Be ready for emergencies. Gather emergency supplies. Make a plan. Be informed.

1.     Balance work, home, and play.
2.     Get support from family and friends.
3.     Stay positive.
4.     Take time to relax.
5.     Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Make sure kids get more, based on their age.
6.     Get help or counseling if needed.

1. Ask your doctor or nurse how you can lower your risk for health problems.
2. Find out what exams, tests, and shots you need and when to get them.
3. See your doctor or nurse for regular check-ups and as often as directed. Get seen if you feel sick,    have pain, notice changes, or have problems with medicine.