So About.com has been almost a pure arbi player for years. It looks like they have actually cleaned up their act a little though. The site is now semi usable where as not to long ago, good luck finding a link that wasn't a sponsor.
So anyways, I was working on some new templates and decided to look around for some inspiration and popped into About.com. Since they have been doing this for years with huge budgets, I can guarantee you they have done a lot of user tests to maximize their $$$.
I noticed they are doing one thing that I can't believe I haven't been practicing. Format your content to be the same width as your ads. (e.x. Cars -- Test drives, new car reviews, fuel economy tips, and more -- About Cars. I have been wrapping my content around my ads, which obviously makes them look like ads. By making the ads and the content the same width, the ads blend in and look a lot more like legitimate links.
Everyone once in awhile you just have to slap yourself in the forehead and say doh! :error: This was one of those days so I thought I would share.
So anyways, I was working on some new templates and decided to look around for some inspiration and popped into About.com. Since they have been doing this for years with huge budgets, I can guarantee you they have done a lot of user tests to maximize their $$$.
I noticed they are doing one thing that I can't believe I haven't been practicing. Format your content to be the same width as your ads. (e.x. Cars -- Test drives, new car reviews, fuel economy tips, and more -- About Cars. I have been wrapping my content around my ads, which obviously makes them look like ads. By making the ads and the content the same width, the ads blend in and look a lot more like legitimate links.
Everyone once in awhile you just have to slap yourself in the forehead and say doh! :error: This was one of those days so I thought I would share.
