A Decision to Stop Displaying Google Ads

When my Google account reaches $100.00 (or more) again, I will stop displaying AdSense ads. I'll be keeping the Google Search box because of its functionality, not because of the ads. I use it to find my own obscure references that aren't easily found in the archives and I've noticed that I'm not the only one.

You may wonder what prompted me to make this decision. Well, I'll tell you the truth because I have absolutely no problem disclosing what I earn and how I earn it.

After receiving yet another offer to display pay per click advertising on my blog (from an AdSense competitor), I checked how much I was earning with AdSense. Looking at how much I had already earned with sponsored posts and comparing it with my AdSense earnings, I realized I made more money with the sponsored posts and I have only done eight of them. I've averaged about $50.00 per month with AdSense and earned more than that with only three sponsored posts.

Earnings weren't the only factor in my decision. I realized after months of displaying them, that the ads were actually driving some readers away. Readers that might have returned if it hadn't been for the ads. It doesn't matter that they "blend in" with the site fairly well; they're still noticeable and obtrusive to some degree. It doesn't bother me to see the ads on other sites and they shouldn't bother anyone else, but they do. After spending lots of time reading comments on blogs that emphasize AdSense and other pay per click advertising, I know this as a fact.

There are other monetization options available and I'll be investigating them as time goes on. I'll continue to edit my theme to take advantage of them without causing the advertising to be obtrusive. An article by Nate Whitehill on how to sell your blog's advertising is my starting point. He brought up some very good points when he wrote his goodbye CPC advertising article and the other article complements it.

August 13th, 2007 By RT Cunningham | Categories: Advertising | Tags: AdSense, Google, sponsored posts |

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Thomas on August 13th, 2007 at 7:37 am (Reply)

Sounds like a good plan.
I have also considered removing adsense when I reach 100$.

You say that adsense drive away some readers, but don't you think paid posts can drive away readers too?

RT Cunningham on August 13th, 2007 at 7:45 am (Reply)

If they're not written well and if they overpower the home page (the index page) then yes they will. I've had more than one blog drive me away like that.

Every one of my sponsored posts have been read multiple times and it's not because I disguise them as something else. I think it's because I write them with enthusiasm. I won't write a sponsored post that I can't be favorable about.

hari on August 13th, 2007 at 8:49 am (Reply)

I once had google adsense. I opted out when I reached $98 or $99 and got the cheque for the amount.

Pennies trickled in at a crawl…

RT Cunningham on August 13th, 2007 at 8:51 am (Reply)

Aren't you supposed to be in Singapore?

Nate Whitehill on August 13th, 2007 at 10:04 am (Reply)

Hey thanks for the link. Yes, Google Adsense works very well on some sites, but blogs about business and blogging aren't the best market. I am sure my visitor return rate increased after I removed ads. Great blog you have!

Lorna on August 13th, 2007 at 1:22 pm (Reply)

Great idea.

Here's a thought. Since you're basically doing reviews on your sponsored post, why not join affiliate programs that you think suits us — your blog readers — then review them? Not only will you make some moolah, but you're also doing us a favor.

RT Cunningham on August 13th, 2007 at 1:38 pm (Reply)

Thx, Lorna. If I find those kind of affiliate programs, I'll definitely write about them. I plan to do a feature on Amazon later on, but specifically for certain niches.

Visualized.Feel.Abundance on August 13th, 2007 at 3:55 pm (Reply)

Hey RT,

I had similar feelings as you. Adsense trickle in and it always gives me a nagging feeling that somehow it is driving traffic away. I might be following your foot steps soon.

Cheers
James

MrCorey on August 14th, 2007 at 12:10 am (Reply)

I decided a long time ago that i didn't like what I was seeing with Adsense, Clicksor, and the other advertising that I was involved in and dropped them all. of course, with no generated revenue, I've been choosing hosting on cost, which hasn't worked out with my present host (grr - back online soon, RT)
2. RT Cunningham on August 14th, 2007 at 12:39 am (Reply)
  
  I'm sorry about the hosting issue, Corey. You know I had problems with two different hosts before finding a good one (hostnine.com) — If you switch to them, use coupon code H9 (or h9 I don't remember exactly) to save half of the initial cost.

Stephen Cronin on August 14th, 2007 at 6:06 pm (Reply)

Just when I was about to start looking at Adsense…

I know there are lots of other options for monetization, but I'm not really sure what they are. Adsense is the only one I know anything about. I may still try it out, while I find out about the others. Or is that a bad move (a little is better than nothing vs driving visitors away)?

I'm not out to make a fortune, but I'd like to at least cover the cost of hosting. Also, I'd like to justify the amount of time I spend on blogging (I have a full time job and a young family).

RT Cunningham on August 14th, 2007 at 6:13 pm (Reply)

Finding appropriate advertising sponsors is difficult when you're first starting out. They see that PR of 0 and an Alexa score above 100K and they're not interested. AdSense doesn't pay well until you have 1000 or more visitors per day and then it all depends on the quality of the ads.

At your stage in the game, I can only recommend that you get into sponsored posts. As long as you don't overdo it, they should have no effect on your readership.
2. Stephen Cronin on August 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am (Reply)
  
  Thanks for the info, it's very hard to find this sort of stuff out. I will have a look at sponsored posts, and I'll follow your philosophy of only doing ones I agree with. Sounds very sensible.
  
  I'll probably try AdSense anyway, at least for a while. It's not just about money - it's about learning. I'm developing several websites at the moment and may do some freelance development in future. I think I should get some first-hand experience with Adsense, especially if I may be faced with customers asking for it in future. I won't expect much money though..

lucia on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:05 am (Reply)

Oh gosh… I'm the opposite at my knitting blog. I make between $200- $1000 a month with google ads & Kontera (depends on the month. Summers are slow.) In contrast, it's hard to find sposored posts that fit. Adsense is less work!

Obviously, everyone needs to figure out which method works at their blog.

hari on August 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 am (Reply)

Late reaction…