Optimizing a Forum for Maximum AdSense Clicks
Optimize your forum so that it ranks well, as unique visitors is what you want to attract. By optimization that may mean getting rid of stuff on your forum that isn't necessary in terms of getting people to focus on the ads. And that's the big idea: Get your visitors to focus on the ads.
A 468x90 banner ad with generous space above and below it will stand out, especially if it blends perfectly into your color scheme.
Remove links to crap like member profiles, who and how many online, any link that doesn't go straight to an ad or to an article should be considered for removal. What you want is for the spider and the visitors to go straight to the topics. The better the path, without distractions, the more focus it has. Which will lead to better search engine rankings. Search positioning is key for bringing in those Unique Visitors because those are the ones who are going to click on your ads.
Focus on your Forum Post Titles, Dammit!
I can't believe how many forum operators sleep through this very important aspect of running a forum. Rewrite member post titles so that they are COHERENT and MEAN SOMETHING. "Help," and "I've got a Question" type titles are not going to help your forum rank well so why do forum operators not edit them to something meaningful? Edit those titles! ;)
Plus, make sure that forum titles become the title tags. Titles are really important for your rankings, and it's probably where those who are getting less than 5% CTR need help.
Don't Read this if you're Satisfied with your Forum CTRs
If you are serious about obtaining higher CTRs on a forum then do yourself a huge favor and read this:
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum19/483.htm
Boosting your unique visitors is crucial imo, because they are likely more inclined to click on an ad, as opposed to a longtime visitor. Keep those uniques up!
My CTR on forums is probably better than the CTR on the average website, so I don't believe the conventional idea that FORUM=Low CTRs, anymore.
A 468x90 banner ad with generous space above and below it will stand out, especially if it blends perfectly into your color scheme.
Remove links to crap like member profiles, who and how many online, any link that doesn't go straight to an ad or to an article should be considered for removal. What you want is for the spider and the visitors to go straight to the topics. The better the path, without distractions, the more focus it has. Which will lead to better search engine rankings. Search positioning is key for bringing in those Unique Visitors because those are the ones who are going to click on your ads.
Focus on your Forum Post Titles, Dammit!
I can't believe how many forum operators sleep through this very important aspect of running a forum. Rewrite member post titles so that they are COHERENT and MEAN SOMETHING. "Help," and "I've got a Question" type titles are not going to help your forum rank well so why do forum operators not edit them to something meaningful? Edit those titles! ;)
Plus, make sure that forum titles become the title tags. Titles are really important for your rankings, and it's probably where those who are getting less than 5% CTR need help.
Don't Read this if you're Satisfied with your Forum CTRs
If you are serious about obtaining higher CTRs on a forum then do yourself a huge favor and read this:
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum19/483.htm
Boosting your unique visitors is crucial imo, because they are likely more inclined to click on an ad, as opposed to a longtime visitor. Keep those uniques up!
My CTR on forums is probably better than the CTR on the average website, so I don't believe the conventional idea that FORUM=Low CTRs, anymore.
Search Engine Commentary by martinibuster || Optimizing a Forum for Maximum AdSense Clicks
