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Forum

One of the great advantages of the internet forums for you as a publisher is that the users create the content. Now, since you do not have much control over the content and the keywords, the ads supplied by the Adsense may not be relevant to the topic and sometimes can result in low CTR.

But we must realize that internet communities are hidden goldmines which have loyal visitors, unique content-that too created by the visitors and high level of user involvement with the content. By some clever strategies these forums can be converted into the cash generating machines.

Ad placement in Forums

Google has provided a heat map and optimization tips at the following location. Please feel free to checkout:

http://adsense.blogspot.com/2005/10/six-adsense-optimization-tips-for.html

Google's heat map for forums

Do’s

• Forum members are very much focused on the topic of discussion, ads on the side bars or on top of the page is not distracting to them.

• Top post on each page grabs most attention. Place a ad below the top post on every page.

• Place a horizontal ad just below the form buttons. This is the most visited area in a forum.

• Try putting ads at the bottom of each post.

• Add a google search box at the end of the last post. If the visitor does not find what he was looking for in the threads, he may like to do a search.

• Opt in for image ads. If you have good traffic but low CTR, you can get good revenue even without the clicks.

Don’ts

• Don’t break a post by putting ads in the middle of the post.

• Don’t mix a bunch of ads in the middle of the page.

Google's Policies for Adsense

IMPORTANT: This article only gives overview of the Google policies for Adsense. You must read the official policies at the following link: https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=48182

Google is very strict with implementing the policies. For success with the program it is a must to keep yourself up to date with the policies and follow them.

Invalid clicks and impressions

Never click your on ads by any manual or automated methods.

Encouraging clicks

Never encourage your visitors for clicks. Leave the ads alone. Let the visitors click the ads if they are interested.

Content guidelines

You should not have content that violates the content guidelines. Some examples include adult content, content that encourages racial violence etc.

Copyrighted material

AdSense publishers may not display Google ads on webpages with content protected by copyright law unless they have the necessary legal rights to display that content.

Code Modification

Never modify the code provided by Google.

Site behaviour

Google wants their ads to show up on quality websites. Websites should have quality content and should be easy to navigate. Sites  that redirect users to unwanted websites or initiate unwanted downloads, contain melaware or unwanted pop-ups will be banned.

Competitive Ads and Services

you should not mix the Google ads with other ads that are formatted in the similar way. you may sell ads directly on your website as long as they should not be confused as Google ads.

Google Advertising Cookies

In your privacy policy you must disclose that third parties may be placing and reading cookies on your users’ browsers as a result to ads being served on your website.

Number of Adsense units on a page

Only upto three adsense units can be placed on a page.

Adsense search box

only up to two AdSense search boxes can be placed on a page.

For detailed official Google policies please visit this link: https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=48182