Russell writes:
“Wow! A few days ago I noticed my earnings from Google’s mobile ads were starting to taper off around $30 a day, so I decided to flip the switch and start showing AdMob ads again so I could compare what the results would be like with my recently increased traffic. I literally changed one line of code, and everywhere where I had been previously showing Google AdSense, I began showing AdMob ads. POW! I more than doubled my income per day – not only is the eCPM higher in general, but the click through rate is 7%…, which is crazy high. I’m not sure what exactly the difference is – but obviously Mowser users like AdMob ads better – either what they’re advertising, the targeting, how they’re formatted or something.”

Winksite’s take…
We were testing ads from both networks using Winksite’s advertising preferences (publishers can switch between displaying Google & AdMob ads with one click.) After staring at a great number of these ads we observed the following:

Google AdSense Ads

• All text ads are separated from page content with horizontal lines before and after the ad.
• All text ads show a URL after the ad copy.
• All text ads display an “Ads by Google” tag.

AdMob Ads

• WML-based text ads show [AD] at the beginning of each ad.
• iPhone-based text ads shows “Ads by Admob”. Ad is placed within a box with curved corners.
• XHTML-based text ads ONLY display ad copy. No defining box or lines. No “Ads by Admob” tagline.

Now unless I misread AdMob’s recently released Mobile Metrics Report it appears a good number of AdMob’s impressions are served to phones that display the XHTML-based text ads (based on Admob’s worldwide and regional “Top Ten Handset Models” list.) As these ads can be misinterpreted as a link on the page (unlike the other flavor ads across Google and Admob) it’s likely that this could account for the performance Russell is referring to above. I don’t know if this is intentional by design or an oversight. I also don’t know enough to comment on the differences as to what each network is advertising or how effective their targeting is. What I do know is that AdMob provides publishers with granular approval of the ads to be displayed. Nice.

(Disclaimer: We’re big fans of publisher-focused services.)

– David Harper

GOOGLE: Setting Up Your Mobile Site to Display Ads From Google AdSense

Set-up at Google AdSense

1. Log into Google AdSense ID at http://www.google.com/adsense and create an account if you do not already have one (can take 1-2 days after submitting your application to Google.)
2. Click the ‘My Account’ tab near the top.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the ‘Account Settings’ page to the ‘Property Information’ section.
4. Your Google AdSense ID is the alphanumeric code next to ‘AdSense for Mobile’ and typically starts with: ca-mb-pub-

Set-up at Winksite

1. Enter the Google AdSense into your mobile site’s “Advertising Preferences” page accessible from your Account “Dashboard” or “Edit Site” Main Menu (see Monetize Your Site | Advertising Preferences).
2. Select “Display Google AdSense Ads”
3. Select ad position and placement on your site templates/pages.
4. Hit the “Save” button at the bottom of the set-up form.

ADMOB: Setting Up Your Mobile Site to Display Ads From Admob

Set-up at AdMob

1. Log into AdMob at http://www.admob.com and create an account if you do not already have one.
2. Click the ‘My Sites’ tab near the top.
3. If you have not set up a site for use with AdMob, click ‘Add Site’ and use the address of your site which is: http://winksite.com/username/foldername
4. On the ‘Manage My Sites’ page, the alphanumeric AdMob Site ID is displayed.

Set-up at Winksite

1. Enter the AdMob Site ID into your mobile site’s “Advertising Preferences” page accessible from your Account “Dashboard” or “Edit Site” Main Menu (see Monetize Your Site | Advertising Preferences).
2. Select “Display AdMob Ads”
3. Select ad position and placement on your site templates/pages.
4. Hit the “Save” button at the bottom of the set-up form.

Note: For either Ad Network option you do not need to insert any code on your Winksite mobile site. You ONLY need your Google AdSense ID or your AdMob Site ID.

Join us at Mobile Monday NY on June 25th to discuss Mobile SEO.

Mobile SEO – Optimization of SEO for the small screen. The challenges. The opportunities.

The format for this event will be a panel discussion with audience questions/discussion.

The following are some of the topics the panel and audience will explore:

• Where is the mobile industry when it comes to SEO?
• How different is mobile search from the desktop search versions?
• How does America search mobile?
• What opportunities are available to marketers and content owners? What are the challenges to the people they are trying to reach?
• Are there any efforts from a standards perspective?
• Tips & Tricks to optimize your mobile site for SEO.

Networking with refreshments and snacks (graciously provided by our host Samsung).

Agenda:

• Welcome/Intro
• The Moderator: Michael Sharon, Socialight
• The Panelists:
  • From the Search Engine Perspective -
    Sean Owen, Google
  • From the Agency & Brand Builder’s Perspective -
    Rachel Pasqua, iCrossing
  • From the Developer’s Perspective -
    David Harper, Winksite

Additional panelists pending.

Cost: FREE, please just RSVP here.

When: Monday, June 25th, 6:45-9 PM

Where:

Samsung Experience Center
Time Warner Center – Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor
New York City, New York 10022
(map)

At the intersection of Broadway, Eighth Avenue, Central Park South and Central Park West.

Subways to Shops at Columbus Circle: A/C, 1/9, B/D to 59th Street/Columbus Circle