Hi everyone,
If you’ve visited the blog over the last few days, you might have noticed things looking a bit… “busy.”
The “Why”: From WordAds to AdSense
For a long time, this site ran on the standard WordAds system provided by WordPress.com. It was simple, but it didn’t offer much control and to be honest the ad revenue is truly low.
Recently, since WordPress now allows more plugin flexibility for various plans, I’ve gained access to Google AdSense.
As a bit of a tinkerer, I couldn’t resist the urge to switch over and see if I could build a better, more integrated experience and of course higher return.
AdSense offers much more granular “knobs and dials” for a data-enthusiast like me to turn.
The Problem
I’m learning how it works and the new system is still “learning” the site.
The results – A messy site!
The ads are “all over the place,” sometimes covering my text or interrupting a train of thought.
Trust me, I couldn’t stand it myself.
I’ve noticed the Engagement Rate take a dip lately, and I suspect it’s because the reading experience hasn’t met the “quiet solitude” standard I usually aim for.
The Fix
I did some “fine-tuning” last night, and the pages should appear much better now:
- Anchor Adjustments: I’m forcing those floating mobile ads to the bottom so they don’t block my headlines.
- Spacing: I’m setting a “minimum distance” between ads so the page can actually breathe.
Moving Forward
My goal is for the ads to be a utility, not a distraction. If you ever see an ad that covers a key piece of data or makes a post unreadable, please drop a comment or send me a note.
Thank you for your patience.
The Fat Investor