After a break last week, we're back with more optimisation tips.
In previous weeks, we have talked about how you can optimise your
AdSense for content ads. This week, why not try implementing an
AdSense for search box on one of your sites? You can choose your
search box size and style, and customise your search results pages so
that they suit the look and feel of your site. A search box will
provide your users with the option to search for information on Google
and on your site. Valid clicks on the ads on your search results pages
will generate revenue for you.
I actually ditched the AFS box in favor of a Google Custom Search
Engine www.google.com/cse
It takes a little more skill and time to implement than the AFS box
does, but it's much more flexible in terms of layout/design elements,
and it's not at all difficult to attach it to your AdSense account -
so the net result is the same in terms of displayed ads generating
income. Plus you can have more than one - so if you want to provide
one 'web search' that is weighted toward results from your site and
sites you choose, and then a second 'site/s search' that limits
results to just your particular site (or, as in my case, a few of
them), you can do that...and no matter what happens, ads are generated
that pay if they're clicked on, so long as you take a few minutes to
tie your CSE and AdSense accounts together.
On top of all that, if you're using Google Analytics, your search
activity can be included in your metrics.
With the AJAX technology and the API, you can do all kinds of crazy
stuff in terms of formatting results, etc., so as to give your
visitors a much more robust and useful "search experience." Plus a
lot of the things people try to do - formatting the box to fit their
design, transparent backgrounds, and so forth - that are against the
AFS ToS are actually permissible with CSE.
If you're just doing a blog placement or basic website and aren't real
familiar or comfortable with HTML authoring, I'd stick with the AFS
box...but if you know what you're doing, CSE is definitely the way to
go, in my opinion.
> After a break last week, we're back with more optimisation tips.
> In previous weeks, we have talked about how you can optimise your
> AdSense for content ads. This week, why not try implementing an
> AdSense for search box on one of your sites? You can choose your
> search box size and style, and customise your search results pages so
> that they suit the look and feel of your site. A search box will
> provide your users with the option to search for information on Google
> and on your site. Valid clicks on the ads on your search results pages
> will generate revenue for you.
I think in its simplest form, CSE is not much more difficult than AFS.
Where it become "tricky" is all the cool things you can do with it and
figuring out how to best use them!
AFS rolls but CSE R@vvKS! :-()
One thing though, since the effectiveness of search for finding
content within one's site depends on the given site being well
indexed, it is best to make sure one's site is well indexed by Google
before attempting to use Search.
On the other hand though, if one doesn't care whether the results
include contents from one's site or not and is just looking to
integrate Google Search and AdSense in the search results into one's
site, it makes little difference.
p.s. Ashley, you still get 5 stars for getting people to think about
using the power of Google Search on their sites. :-)
Thanks for your valuable insights on AFS vs. CSE. As you've mentioned,
with CSE publishers have the opportunity to tailor search even more,
and it can be linked to your AdSense account so that - provided you
have linked your Co-op and AdSense accounts, and implemented your new
CSE code - you can generate revenue in the same way as you would via
AdSense for search.
> I think in its simplest form, CSE is not much more difficult than AFS.
> Where it become "tricky" is all the cool things you can do with it and
> figuring out how to best use them!
> AFS rolls but CSE R@vvKS! :-()
> One thing though, since the effectiveness of search for finding
> content within one's site depends on the given site being well
> indexed, it is best to make sure one's site is well indexed by Google
> before attempting to use Search.
> On the other hand though, if one doesn't care whether the results
> include contents from one's site or not and is just looking to
> integrate Google Search and AdSense in the search results into one's
> site, it makes little difference.
> p.s. Ashley, you still get 5 stars for getting people to think about
> using the power of Google Search on their sites. :-)
*nods* I wouldn't blow off the AFS at all. It's a really great
solution for...well, I think I already covered all of that. :)
And as you said, thie whole discussion...well, I'm surprised more
people aren't participating. Years ago when I first started designing
for money, Google didn't *have* a branded solution like CSE or AFS;
the best you could get at that time was a Google results page with
custom colors and (I *think*) a banner link back to your own site.
That's why I still have a client who's using Atomz search, but that's
going to go away very, very soon. (i.e. as soon as I integrate it
into the redesign estimate and get a check in my hand). *They* don't
have an adsense account...but *I* sure do.
> I think in its simplest form, CSE is not much more difficult than AFS.
> Where it become "tricky" is all the cool things you can do with it and
> figuring out how to best use them!
> AFS rolls but CSE R@vvKS! :-()
> One thing though, since the effectiveness of search for finding
> content within one's site depends on the given site being well
> indexed, it is best to make sure one's site is well indexed by Google
> before attempting to use Search.
> On the other hand though, if one doesn't care whether the results
> include contents from one's site or not and is just looking to
> integrate Google Search and AdSense in the search results into one's
> site, it makes little difference.
> p.s. Ashley, you still get 5 stars for getting people to think about
> using the power of Google Search on their sites. :-)
Thanks very much, Ashley, for the links and the excellent topic. I'm
kind of trying to avoid going down a rathole with the CSE right now
until I get some other things aligned...but holy COW what a powerful
tool!
> Thanks for your valuable insights on AFS vs. CSE. As you've mentioned,
> with CSE publishers have the opportunity to tailor search even more,
> and it can be linked to your AdSense account so that - provided you
> have linked your Co-op and AdSense accounts, and implemented your new
> CSE code - you can generate revenue in the same way as you would via
> AdSense for search.
> > I think in its simplest form, CSE is not much more difficult than AFS.
> > Where it become "tricky" is all the cool things you can do with it and
> > figuring out how to best use them!
> > AFS rolls but CSE R@vvKS! :-()
> > One thing though, since the effectiveness of search for finding
> > content within one's site depends on the given site being well
> > indexed, it is best to make sure one's site is well indexed by Google
> > before attempting to use Search.
> > On the other hand though, if one doesn't care whether the results
> > include contents from one's site or not and is just looking to
> > integrate Google Search and AdSense in the search results into one's
> > site, it makes little difference.
> > p.s. Ashley, you still get 5 stars for getting people to think about
> > using the power of Google Search on their sites. :-)
Speaking for those of us who don't have Masters in Computer Science,
we have no idea what you guys are talking about. We accept your word
that it rocks.
> Speaking for those of us who don't have Masters in Computer Science,
> we have no idea what you guys are talking about. We accept your word
> that it rocks.
:-()
I like you!
Even AFS c(AdSense For Search) can be a bit daunting at first but once
you get it figured out, it actually becomes fun.
Please note that from a technical point of view, my idea of "fun" may
be a bit warped. :-()
Seriously though, not that I wasn't being serious ;-) anyone who has
an aptitude for things webbly can learn to deal with it pretty easily.
Besides, with those of us around here who understand it well enough to
know it rocks, I don't think there is a question on the subject of AFS
or even CSE that we couldn't help you with or in the case of CSE, help
you know when asking the question here is better or going to the CSE
Help Google Groups and maybe getting a better answer/help there.
One thing I would like to impart to you now though, everyone is always
looking for the "magic bullet" and it is my opinion that AFS and CSE
are the closest things one can get!
Ads do best when the go along with providing a service. In the case
of Ad/Image/Link units, the "service" is one's content, in the case of
AFS/CSE though, the service is a true service and being based on
Google Search, the dominant search engine on the planet, for the
moment ;-) you can't have a better tie-in.
Besides, helping others learn usually causes the one helping to learn
more as well.
I don't know about you but that seems like a win-win situation to me,
no? :-)
It's great to hear your enthusiasm for AFS and CSE. AFS is indeed
overlooked sometimes, when it can prove a valuable resource for your
users, and provide you with a new revenue opportunity.
chaguanas, if you go ahead and try AFS or CSE, we'd love to hear how
you found it. No masters in Computer Science required:) As Cass-hacks
has kindly said, if you have any questions along the way, help is
always available here on the forum (plus there is the dedicated CSE
forum I mentioned above).
> > Speaking for those of us who don't have Masters in Computer Science,
> > we have no idea what you guys are talking about. We accept your word
> > that it rocks.
> :-()
> I like you!
> Even AFS c(AdSense For Search) can be a bit daunting at first but once
> you get it figured out, it actually becomes fun.
> Please note that from a technical point of view, my idea of "fun" may
> be a bit warped. :-()
> Seriously though, not that I wasn't being serious ;-) anyone who has
> an aptitude for things webbly can learn to deal with it pretty easily.
> Besides, with those of us around here who understand it well enough to
> know it rocks, I don't think there is a question on the subject of AFS
> or even CSE that we couldn't help you with or in the case of CSE, help
> you know when asking the question here is better or going to the CSE
> Help Google Groups and maybe getting a better answer/help there.
> One thing I would like to impart to you now though, everyone is always
> looking for the "magic bullet" and it is my opinion that AFS and CSE
> are the closest things one can get!
> Ads do best when the go along with providing a service. In the case
> of Ad/Image/Link units, the "service" is one's content, in the case of
> AFS/CSE though, the service is a true service and being based on
> Google Search, the dominant search engine on the planet, for the
> moment ;-) you can't have a better tie-in.
> Besides, helping others learn usually causes the one helping to learn
> more as well.
> I don't know about you but that seems like a win-win situation to me,
> no? :-)
Ashley, I have customised my search box by stripping out the table
structure, and formatting it up with my own styles.
As there are no advert issues with the search box, is this OK?
I have basically kept the form elements and the code that generates
the custom pages. It blends into the site (with a nice gradient bg)
and looks attractive.
Also, the logo on the cutom page has a height of 50px, but ther eis
also a width, which is not stated, can we override that? PNG's are not
shown with transparent background either.
IANG, but the very first question I asked here was a real similar deal
- customizing the AFS box to fit more readily into my site design -
and the answer was a resounding NO. I'd look real seriously at
rolling back to the generated code for the moment, just so you don't
risk your account, and taking a look at the CSE instead.
> Ashley, I have customised my search box by stripping out the table
> structure, and formatting it up with my own styles.
> As there are no advert issues with the search box, is this OK?
> I have basically kept the form elements and the code that generates
> the custom pages. It blends into the site (with a nice gradient bg)
> and looks attractive.
> Also, the logo on the cutom page has a height of 50px, but ther eis
> also a width, which is not stated, can we override that? PNG's are not
> shown with transparent background either.
The million dollar question after reading all of this: does either of
these techniques result in more click-throughs? I've got a 'standard'
search box on my site blended into the site colour scheme and it gets
quite a few queries every day but the search results don't result in
many paid clicks. Are there any established practices to increase the
conversion of the search results?
I have used CSE even before I linked it to AdSense...it's simply
better integrated into my web site. AFS is better, I suppose for quick
solution to search, I have a couple friends and clients that use it,
it works just fine, but for my purposes, the CSE works better, doesn't
have required "search the web" stuff, I can just target my site...
> It's great to hear your enthusiasm for AFS and CSE. AFS is indeed
> overlooked sometimes, when it can prove a valuable resource for your
> users, and provide you with a new revenue opportunity.
> chaguanas, if you go ahead and try AFS or CSE, we'd love to hear how
> you found it. No masters in Computer Science required:) As Cass-hacks
> has kindly said, if you have any questions along the way, help is
> always available here on the forum (plus there is the dedicated CSE
> forum I mentioned above).
> Have a good day/evening,
> Ashley
> On Apr 2, 3:03 am, Cass-hacks wrote:
> > > Speaking for those of us who don't have Masters in Computer Science,
> > > we have no idea what you guys are talking about. We accept your word
> > > that it rocks.
> > :-()
> > I like you!
> > Even AFS c(AdSense For Search) can be a bit daunting at first but once
> > you get it figured out, it actually becomes fun.
> > Please note that from a technical point of view, my idea of "fun" may
> > be a bit warped. :-()
> > Seriously though, not that I wasn't being serious ;-) anyone who has
> > an aptitude for things webbly can learn to deal with it pretty easily.
> > Besides, with those of us around here who understand it well enough to
> > know it rocks, I don't think there is a question on the subject of AFS
> > or even CSE that we couldn't help you with or in the case of CSE, help
> > you know when asking the question here is better or going to the CSE
> > Help Google Groups and maybe getting a better answer/help there.
> > One thing I would like to impart to you now though, everyone is always
> > looking for the "magic bullet" and it is my opinion that AFS and CSE
> > are the closest things one can get!
> > Ads do best when the go along with providing a service. In the case
> > of Ad/Image/Link units, the "service" is one's content, in the case of
> > AFS/CSE though, the service is a true service and being based on
> > Google Search, the dominant search engine on the planet, for the
> > moment ;-) you can't have a better tie-in.
> > Besides, helping others learn usually causes the one helping to learn
> > more as well.
> > I don't know about you but that seems like a win-win situation to me,
> > no? :-)- Hide quoted text -
> Are there any established practices to increase the
> conversion of the search results?
That's a fair question but not one I could answer.
I don't really worry about conversion rates on search because I don't
look to make a lot from it so anything I get is a bonus.
I am more interested in the functionality the widget brings to a site
and if it at least pays enough to pay for the real estate it takes up,
I'm happy.
Also, by having the results load into a template within my site, the
don't even have to leave my site to search and if not finding anything
they like better, continue on within my site.
That is not to say you have to view it the same way, just that there
are benefits besides direct financial ones.
I am with Cass-hacks, money from the search is a bonus, the main value
of the search to me is giving my users a butt-kickin search engine
with which to search my site(s)...
> > Are there any established practices to increase the
> > conversion of the search results?
> That's a fair question but not one I could answer.
> I don't really worry about conversion rates on search because I don't
> look to make a lot from it so anything I get is a bonus.
> I am more interested in the functionality the widget brings to a site
> and if it at least pays enough to pay for the real estate it takes up,
> I'm happy.
> Also, by having the results load into a template within my site, the
> don't even have to leave my site to search and if not finding anything
> they like better, continue on within my site.
> That is not to say you have to view it the same way, just that there
> are benefits besides direct financial ones.
I'm with Cass, I didn't add the search to make money, but because my
site is so big its darn hard for people to find things. (including
myself)
I can't see why we cannot mod the search box, its in an arcane table
based structure while the site is totally css driven. As there is no
income issues around the search box itself, blending it in does not
get any 'fake' or 'false'clicks.
People use the search because they want to use the search, There is no
deception involved in modding it.
> I am with Cass-hacks, money from the search is a bonus, the main value
> of the search to me is giving my users a butt-kickin search engine
> with which to search my site(s)...
> On Apr 4, 10:33 am, Cass-hacks wrote:
> > > Are there any established practices to increase the
> > > conversion of the search results?
> > That's a fair question but not one I could answer.
> > I don't really worry about conversion rates on search because I don't
> > look to make a lot from it so anything I get is a bonus.
> > I am more interested in the functionality the widget brings to a site
> > and if it at least pays enough to pay for the real estate it takes up,
> > I'm happy.
> > Also, by having the results load into a template within my site, the
> > don't even have to leave my site to search and if not finding anything
> > they like better, continue on within my site.
> > That is not to say you have to view it the same way, just that there
> > are benefits besides direct financial ones.
Thanks for your question. As John pointed out, modifying the AdSense
for search code is a violation of AdSense programme policies. We
appreciate your cooperation.
I understand that you would like to be able to blend the search box
with your site background, and will pass on this suggestion to the
team working on AFS.
> I'm with Cass, I didn't add the search to make money, but because my
> site is so big its darn hard for people to find things. (including
> myself)
> I can't see why we cannot mod the search box, its in an arcane table
> based structure while the site is totally css driven. As there is no
> income issues around the search box itself, blending it in does not
> get any 'fake' or 'false'clicks.
> People use the search because they want to use the search, There is no
> deception involved in modding it.
> On Apr 5, 4:54 am, Dan B. wrote:
> > I am with Cass-hacks, money from the search is a bonus, the main value
> > of the search to me is giving my users a butt-kickin search engine
> > with which to search my site(s)...
> > On Apr 4, 10:33 am, Cass-hacks wrote:
> > > > Are there any established practices to increase the
> > > > conversion of the search results?
> > > That's a fair question but not one I could answer.
> > > I don't really worry about conversion rates on search because I don't
> > > look to make a lot from it so anything I get is a bonus.
> > > I am more interested in the functionality the widget brings to a site
> > > and if it at least pays enough to pay for the real estate it takes up,
> > > I'm happy.
> > > Also, by having the results load into a template within my site, the
> > > don't even have to leave my site to search and if not finding anything
> > > they like better, continue on within my site.
> > > That is not to say you have to view it the same way, just that there
> > > are benefits besides direct financial ones.
It is configured to open within a page of the site.
Note: If you try a search, try the term "urlencode".
Were it not for changing my mind on what I wanted to "name" the CSE
about 30 times, I think that altogether, setting up the search itself,
customizing it given the options available and adding the AdSense
linkage it would have taken me no more than 30 minutes or so.
I'm pretty pleased with the results.
AdSense for Search is still a great product but if one can work with
all the buzzers and whistles and bells of a Custom Search Engine, I
think you will be pleased with the results also.
At least I hope so. ;-)
p.s. it is my understanding that promoting the use of one's search
engine, even if monetized with AdSense, does not violate AdSense
Program Policy.
p.s.s. one more cool thing about CSE, you can publish your CSE so that
others can do cool things with it too. Also, one can even use AJAX
through a provided API although if one does so, one can't monetize
it. :-( How UNFAIR! :-()
> I understand that you would like to be able to blend the search box
> with your site background, and will pass on this suggestion to the
> team working on AFS.
Ashley,
Imagine, if you will, a dimension.
A dimension not of time and space,
but a dimension of site and sound,
a dimension where you see me with my thumbs partially inserted in my
ears and my outstretched hands waving in your direction while I make a
raspberry sound and then say,
"CSE can do it, CSE can do it, nanner nanner nanner."
It's a walk-through of creating a Google Custom Search Engine,
configuring it for basic operation, sets up the color scheme,
generates the code and finally, shows how to link the new Custom
Search Engine to one's AdSense account.
Have fun! :-)
I also plan to do a tut on AdSense for Search and another tut on the
new Google AJAX API to do search results in a scripted DOM page
element!!!!
Guess which one I am going to do first though. ;-)
Poor AdSense for Search may need to wait a while. :-()
Being able to manipulate one's search results for customized display
techniques is really cool!
The only problem though is that the new overlay can't be used with
AdSense. :-(
I can understand why though.
It still is totally cool though and I am thinking of putting a CSE on
the top of the page and then an AJAX toy at the bottom just for
extreme coolness.
