Do not place images next to AdSense Ads
ADVERTISEMENTSMany publishers place images near their AdSense Ads to increase CTR (click through rate). Some believe that placing a visible line separating Ads and the image should be fine, while others argue that this method could get publishers banned.
The AdSense team has finally made it clear about their policy on images near Ads. Google asks publishers not to line up images and Ads in a way that suggests a relationship between the images and the Ads. You are not allowed to do it even if you put a line between the image and the Ad.
Here is what they posted on Inside Adsense:
Can I place small images next to my Google ads?
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.
Publishers should also be careful to avoid similar implementations that people could find misleading. For instance, if your site contains a directory of Flash games, you should not format the ads to mimic the game descriptions.
What if I place a space or a line between my images and my ads? Would that work?
No. If the ads and the images appear to be associated, inserting a small space or a line between the images and ads will not make the implementation compliant.
Does this mean I can’t place ads on pages with images?
You can definitely place Google ads on pages containing images — just make sure that the ads and images are not arranged in a way that could easily mislead or confuse your visitors. For example, if you run a stock photography site with a catalog of thumbnail images, don’t line the ads up with the thumbnails in a way that could be misleading. Consider using a full border around your ads or changing your ad colors, for example.
You may now wonder if AdSense Beautifier is safe to use. It all depends on what images you use. You should use images that are not associated with the Ads.
Anyways to be on the safe side, I have disabled AdSense Beautifier 
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Posted on December 20th, 2006 | Category: Make Money Online |
Shivaranjan
December 20, 2006 at 5:52 am
Even I have disabled Adsense beautifier plugin to be on safer side thanks for letting us know.
Adsense Income Blog
December 20, 2006 at 7:12 am
I referenced this article today. My question is where one can find stats showing that the Adsense beautifier plugin actually increases CPM earnings. Thanks for the article!
Bill T
December 20, 2006 at 9:45 am
It was only time before they went this far. There are a lot of sites that place key images right next to ads in hopes to increase their click through ratio.
I don’t blame them at all. Its hard to compete out there; but I am happy that Google is stepping up and finally making an official stance on this. There are too many sites out there that push the limits of the rules, then cry when they get banned.
Rule #1, make quality content, traffic follows, then the advertising revenue begins to flow.
An example is the content found here of course.
JohnTP
December 20, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Adsense Income Blog- I have personally experienced that placing images next to Ads increases CTR. Infact it doubled my AdSense CTR.
The best way to know if AdSense Beautifier increases CTR is trying it yourself.
Bill T - Thank you.
Peter
December 20, 2006 at 8:27 pm
So, John how it works for you without images…
For me it sucks as…. it is 20x lower that with images.
Work At Homes
December 21, 2006 at 5:03 am
so is it worth it to implement pictures next to google ads? Has anyone been ban yet? I am new and learning so thinking of implementing this in the future once I get traffic to my blog
Enblogopedia
December 21, 2006 at 5:57 am
Well I didn’t use images a lot in my blog so I don’t have problems
JohnTP
December 21, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Peter- My CTR and earnings have also started decreasing.
Peter
December 21, 2006 at 1:44 pm
Today i see there is smaller number of clicks because of that
carol
December 21, 2006 at 6:52 pm
John, you give so many good tips on adsense and here i will come when i will start using it on my blog as well.
You’re doing a great job.
km
December 22, 2006 at 8:45 am
i saw decrease on my adsense CTR because this announcement. Any idea to overcome this ?
Utah SEO Planet
December 22, 2006 at 12:21 pm
One of my friends makes a killing on adsense because his graphics and ads are nearly blended. This is going to change the whole way he runs his blog.. it sure was just a matter of time.
marlin
December 22, 2006 at 1:14 pm
oh boy… that announcement make many people hurt…
Freaakitude
December 22, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Congrats John. Your blog is in 9rules.
JohnTP
December 22, 2006 at 9:44 pm
km- Have you tried inserting your AdSense Ads into your post using AdSense Deluxe?
Freaakitude- Thank you
Garry Conn
January 2, 2007 at 1:08 am
Well,
I guess I can kiss my Adsense Beautifier good bye, I don’t think it really worked all that well at all. What puzzles me though… is Google is so firm about their code insertion policies that it really makes it difficult for people to experience optimal success with the program. Honestly, I have gotten to the point where I am ready to discontinue using Adsense for my sites. It doesn’t really make that much money, and for the sites where I have Amazon aStores, it actually costs me money having Adsense up for the fact that I get .25c for sending a customer somewhere else to buy a $250.00 product from my own aStore.
ars
January 6, 2007 at 5:01 pm
thank you for your inform, i will eraser image in my blog