AdSense Stats and Performance 101

As more and more people are getting into the AdSense game, there seem to be many questions asked again and again by the newcomers. Here, I have compiled detailed explanations to some common AdSense terms, facts, and performance tips.

Terminology

Real Stats (Figures based on actual performance tracking updated several times a day)

  • Page Impressions: The number of times an ad unit (a collection of 1 to 4 ads). If you have two ad units on a page, then every time the page loads you get two page impressions. Page Impressions DO include PSA (Public Service Ads) and Alternate Ads.

  • Clicks: The number of times someone clicks on an ad. Clicks on PSA will be included in this stat as well.

  • Earnings: Money you've made.

Derived Stats (Figures calculated from the real stats)

  • Clickthrough Rate: Clicks/Page Impressions. It is expressed as a percentage.

  • Effective CPM:. Earnings per thousand page impressions. Calculated by 1000 X Earnings / Page Impressions

  • EPC: Your EPC is not displayed because it does not really matter. EPC stands for Earnings Per Click (Earnings/Clicks) and is frequently talked about.

Facts (What we've discovered)

  • Stats Update Frequency/Delay: Although AdSense stats usually updates every couple hours, you don't need to panic at all if you see no change in your stats for over 12 hours. Even if other webmasters are seeing normal updates.

  • Don't worry about anomalies in your stats during the course of the day. These are not accurate. There could be delays in the update due to one reason or another. Only when you see figures for a new day can you know that the figures for the previous day are not going to change any more.

  • Sometimes the stats are carried forward several days. This happens when Google decides to freeze your clicks and earnings for fraud checking/tracking purposes or server delays. Thus, you may notice your earnings/clicks shoot straight up when you least expect it. It is possible for your CTR to go up by as much as 10%.

  • The update on the different stats are not synchronized. For example, when you check your account, the page impressions may be freshed updated, while the clicks and earnings are from two hours ago. Thus, there may be a sharp drop/increase in the derived stats. Due to this, you don't need to fret over all these little bumps.

  • Often delays in updates foreshadow changes to the AdSense program. For example, slow updates preceded introduction of channels, TOS changes, and addition of new languages.

  • Channels are a great way for you to track the performance of your ad on a particular page/site. If you want to use the same code for all of your pages, you can also use the recently added URL channels. Of course, channel data are delayed by two days.

    • Performance Tips

  • EPC doesn't matter! That is because you have absolutely no control over your EPC. Your EPC is influenced by many variables including your webpage content, advertiser's budget, seasonal fluctuations and more. Thus, the productive thing to do is concentrate on the factors that you have control over such as CTR and page impressions.

  • How well am I doing?
    Many of us probably wonder how we are doing compared to other AdSense users, including myself. However, we really can't get a good sense of the average if Google doesn't disclose their figures, which they don't. Since people doing well with AdSense generally don't like to reveal their earnings due to the fear that they may be terminated by the program, any discussion about an average EPC/CTR/CPM is a waste of time.

  • From various experiments by myself and other webmasters, we can conclude (at least for now) that using image/text ads instead of just text ads will dramatically decrease you CTR because of various reasons. (i.e. fewer advertisers, banner blindness etc.) However, the EPC is usually slightly higher.

  • Blend in or stand out? This is completely site dependent. Sometimes, people will never click on your ads unless you "trick" them into doing so, although this is not so good for long term. Other sites will require your ad to scream in your visitor's face to get good clicks. Do some extensive testing to find out what's good for your site.

  • Make good use of the URL filter feature. Blocking repetitive (eBay ads) or boring ads (free smilies) will definitely increase your CTR.

  • Large rectangles placed above the fold will often generate most revenue. However, this may not be a good long term solution since such and ad is usually obstrusive and have little aesthetic value.

  • If you run a forum site, you may notice that your earnings are very low. Here is a solution: use a simple cookie-based php script that only displays AdSense ads once every 10 page views -- essentially a counter counts down from 10 to 0 and on 0 displays an AdSense block. Between the AdSense ads, display regular banner ads. Although your AdSense page impressions may be down, you will notice your CTR skyrocketing, and a large increase in overall earnings.

    • In conclusion: Play around with your ad to maximize your performance, and look at the big picture in your stats!

    Tony Zhu is the owner of an online business resource website, InaWhim.com, the largest free resource for the new and experienced home business owner. At InaWhim.com, you will find massive listings of paid survey companies, products with free resell rights, exclusive quality articles, friendly community, and much more. Everything FREE!

    In The News:

    Google News
    Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:51:53 GMT

    National Digest - Annapolis Capital


    CBC.ca
    National Digest
    Annapolis Capital - 35 minutes ago
    LOS ANGELES - Intense Santa Ana winds swept into Southern California this morning and whipped up a 3000-acre wildfire, forcing the closure of a major freeway during rush hour and burning mobile homes and industrial buildings.
    Firefighters battle blaze north of Los Angeles AFP
    Valley Firefighters Help Crews Battle Massive Blaze in Southern ... KMPH Fox 26
    Monsters and Critics.com - KSWT-TV - Bradenton Herald
    all 2,207 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:15:58 GMT

    Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations - Reuters


    ABC News
    Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations
    Reuters - 1 hour ago
    CHICAGO (Reuters) - The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for a daily dose of vitamin D in children in the hopes of preventing rickets and reaping other health benefits, the group said on Monday.
    Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines for Youngsters Doubled U.S. News & World Report
    Vitamin D: New Guidelines for Children WebMD
    ABC News - New York Times - Boston Globe - New York Daily News
    all 498 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:36:45 GMT

    'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Still Top Dog At Box Office - MTV.com


    BBC News
    'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Still Top Dog At Box Office
    MTV.com - 4 hours ago
    By Shawn Adler Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" won the weekend box office for the second-straight week. It made $17.5 million.
    How did DiCaprio and Crowe get chomped by 'Chihuahua'? Chicago Tribune
    `Chihuahua' fetches $17.5M to win another weekend The Associated Press
    New York Times - Los Angeles Times - Entertainment Weekly - FlickDirect
    all 781 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:18:47 GMT

    NLCS Preview from The Sports Network - Sports Network


    CBC.ca
    NLCS Preview from The Sports Network
    Sports Network - 1 hour ago
    (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to even the National League Championship Series at two games apiece this evening, when they play Game 4 of the best-of-seven set against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium.
    Video: Benches Clear in Game 3 of NLCS AssociatedPress
    LA revitalized at Moyer's expense MLB.com
    FOXSports.com - New York Times - USA Today - Los Angeles Times
    all 2,561 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:57:52 GMT

    Zimbabwe’s Power-Sharing Deal Is in Jeopardy - New York Times


    BBC News
    Zimbabwe’s Power-Sharing Deal Is in Jeopardy
    New York Times - 1 hour ago
    By CELIA W. DUGGER JOHANNESBURG - The European Union condemned President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Monday for going ahead with the formation of a new government without the agreement of the opposition.
    Mugabe swears in vice-presidents as Zimbabwe power-sharing deal ... guardian.co.uk
    Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Threatens to Quit Power-Share Deal Voice of America
    AFP - AllAfrica.com - Bloomberg - Telegraph.co.uk
    all 2,647 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:24:27 GMT

    Austin stocks rally with rest of Wall St. - Bizjournals.com


    Boston Globe
    Austin stocks rally with rest of Wall St.
    Bizjournals.com - 31 minutes ago
    Austin stocks were posting mostly positive results on Monday as the Dow Jones industrial index climbed more than 500 points. By midday nearly all Austin area public companies’ stocks were in positive territory aided by a general market rally as the US ...
    Monday markets make rebound Live 5 News
    Wall Street's Wild Week: Investors Live With It ABC News
    USA Today - Los Angeles Times - KSBY - New York Times
    all 4,397 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:20:43 GMT

    Manatee dies before reaching rehab site - Boston Globe


    eFluxMedia
    Manatee dies before reaching rehab site
    Boston Globe - 10 hours ago
    By Emily Canal After a 27-hour trip to Florida, Dennis the manatee, rescued from the frigid waters of Cape Cod, died in Orlando yesterday as SeaWorld employees carted the mammal to a rehabilitation center.
    Video: Rescued Manatee Dies After Mass. Rescue AssociatedPress
    Dennis the Manatee Dies before Getting to Florida Sea World eFluxMedia
    ChattahBox - New York Daily News - Bostonist - Times of the Internet
    all 595 news articles

    Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:21:21 GMT

    Make Money Online
    Display RSS Feeds on Your Website


    PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

    Adsense websites

    Reseller vs Affiliate ? Which One Is For You?

    Have not decide if becoming an affiliate is for you?... Read More

    How Joint Ventures Can Catapult You to Success

    Substantial opportunities for increased sales and profits are missed by... Read More

    How to Build a Huge Opt-In List as an Affiliate

    One of the biggest mistakes I see affiliates making everyday... Read More

    Free traffic vs. Extra Revenue - Earning From PPC Search Engines

    What are the Search Engines?A Search Engine is special database-driven... Read More

    10 Sizzling Tips For Affiliates

    1. Create an infopacked mini site. Build your mini site... Read More

    Choosing The Right Affiliate Program

    Choosing the right affiliate program is vital for your success.... Read More

    Affiliate Surprise

    I can't believe it! I open up my mail today,... Read More

    What are the Benefits of Affiliate Marketing?

    Affiliate marketing is a cooperative effort between merchant and an... Read More

    Whats A Niche and Can I Find One Too?

    When I came upon that little word -- Niche --... Read More

    The Lucrative Power of the Digital Era - Info Marketing

    There are certain things we need in life that must... Read More

    Become An Affiliate Champion: 10 Tips

    Affiliates programs are one of the easiest ways to make... Read More

    Affiliates: 3 Things You Should Own Though You Dont Own A Product.

    1. Your Own web site:Most affiliates put a redirect link... Read More

    Revealed The Myth of Making Money Through Affiliate Marketing

    Many people enter into the affiliate marketing arena with the... Read More

    Affiliate Marketing ? My Best Decision

    When I decided to quit my job and start an... Read More

    Joint Venture 101 - The Quickest Way To Build Your eBusiness - PART 1

    This article reveal the same techniques that many Internet marketing... Read More

    Promoting Affiliate Programs through Personal Recommendations

    Publishing articles online is a highly effective way to increase... Read More

    Ebook Review: The Super Affiliate Handbook

    Rosalind Gardner's 270 page ebook "The Super Affiliate Handbook" is... Read More

    Affiliate Marketing - How Ezine Ads Explode your Online Profits

    So we're looking at E-zine advertising. Just a quick overview... Read More

    Online Affiliate Programs - 6 Must Read Reasons to Join Them

    You must have been exposed to the online hype, and... Read More

    Webmaster Affiliate Programs - How to Separate the Good from the Bad

    More and more people are turning to the Internet and... Read More

    Popup Killers - Not just killing that Popup but also your Revenue!

    With the increased use of popups on sites - when... Read More

    Design Web Site Around Affiliate Programs

    When starting a Web business, most people choose a topic... Read More

    23 Ways To Use An Ad Tracker

    The ad tracker was originally developed to provide a record... Read More

    WHAT! Internet Etiquette / Net Etiquette?

    Many people know how -- and do conduct themselves in... Read More

    Affiliates Go To School!

    It has been said that only 2% of affiliate marketers... Read More