Almost all webmasters are familiar with the famous Google AdSense, and many use it on their sites as a source of income. AdSense works as such; you place an HTML code on your website (from your Google AdSense account), and depending on the settings you choose, there will be a certain sized banner on your page. Users can also choose to put text links instead of banners. Google then places ads that correspond with the content and topic of your website or blog. Every time a visitor clicks on you’re ad, you receive a portion of money, and the rest goes to Google. This is a Pay Per Click program, more commonly referred to as a PPC program.
Previously, Google was one of the only PPC networks around, and webmasters relied on it to create an income from their blogs or websites. Ever since Google opened the network, more and more companies are coming out with similar programs. I have heard of many people switching from AdSense to other PPC programs, and in turn are making a greater amount of money.
Nonetheless, this is not a surprise, and many expected companies to surpass Google. A year ago, Google said that it was lowering the amount of money publishers received per click (in order to Google to reap the profits). So in other words, you, the webmaster, receive less money for every click you get from a visitor. This is why many people are turning to other programs, and in return are earning a lot more money!
I did a bit of research and came up with five other programs which are just as good as AdSense, if not better. These include Yahoo, Adbrite, Adsmart, Chikita, and Pepperjam. Out of these five, most people would claim that Yahoo is at the top. Apparently Yahoo has a higher pay per click than Google, causing many people to be “running off” to Yahoo. Yahoo has a larger number of advertisers (advertisers are the people who pay Yahoo to have their website appear on banners). Because of a larger number of advertisers, people are more likely to click on them. Google has been said by many to show the same ads over and over, causing people to not click on them. The good thing about some the other companies I mentioned is that they are small and fairly new. Small and new companies tend to give out a lot of money because they want to attract people to join them.
Now, on top of making more money, there are a few reasons I would not recommend Google. I have had a few friends have their accounts closed because of “click fraud.” Click fraud is when someone clicks their own ads, or has someone else click their ads repeatedly to make more money. I know for a fact they did not do this, as they ran their websites very professionally and fairly. Often time, visitors will click on your ads over and over, knowing that it will get you banned (evil people out there, I know). Once Google decides to close your account, good luck getting it banned. Aside from the stories of my friends, I’ve read of many other Google AdSense horror stores. I have not read a single story of someone finally getting their account back.
