Elliott C. Back: Internet & Technology

In another “copy Google Adsense” move, Yahoo’s anounced direct deposit options for all their publishers! Here’s the email I got:

We’ve just made receiving your Yahoo! Publisher Network earnings quicker and easier than ever, with the introduction of a Direct Deposit option for all publisher accounts.

As with our pay-by-check option, you’ll still need to accrue at least $100 in earnings before payment is made. However, if you’re signed up for direct deposit, we will credit your bank account on the 26th of each month, rather than by the 10th of the following month, meaning that you’ll receive your earnings approximately 15 days sooner!

To sign up for direct deposit, follow these four simple steps:

* Log in to your publisher account.
* Click on the Account Information tab.
* Click ‘Payment Options’.
* Select ‘Direct Deposit’ and follow the instructions provided.

Please note that it could take up to ten business days to process your request and begin the direct deposit payments. Even if you immediately sign up for the direct deposit option, April earnings for all publishers will be made by check. If you wish to receive your May earnings via direct deposit, please update your account as soon as possible.

This makes it just that much easier to use Yahoo’s ad platform!

I’ve been having some trouble with PSA ads running on the Yahoo network. It turns out that my advertising blocklist / blacklist isn’t really being used, or being used at random. If you need a list of sites to add to your “Ad Blocking” filter, here’s mine:

borrellassociates.com
cablewholesale.com
comcastoffers.com
ebay.com
florist.com
lendingtree.com
lowermybills.com
lowquotesmortgage.com
lowratesource.com
nextag.com
nextstudent.com
vonage.com

I got an email back from Yahoo about this topic:

Just so that you are aware, Yahoo! Publisher Network beta was recently informed that we are experiencing a problem with the functionality of the Ad Blocking feature. The Ad Blocking feature is working intermittently or not at all. At this time, we are currently investigating the issue and the scope of those affected with no expectations for a resolution. We do anticipate resolution shortly.

Hopefully this targetting problem will be resolved soon–or I may become very tempted to try out Google Adsense again.

I found a random spammy tech blog the other day that does have a very nicely placed wide-format top adsense strip. They stuck right under a header that fades to white, so it’s very prominent and aesthetically pleasing. To improve on the idea one would want to integrate the ad a little more with the header, rather than under it, and also increase the brilliance of its text colors. But, here’s a picture:

I’m looking to increase my CTR in the next round of blog design, while at the time making the ads more a natural part of the layout. Something along these lines seems like the perfect place to start. It’s also, if you’ve looked at the heatmaps that Google gives out, apparently an officially good place to put ads.