Links to open in a new window ?

malcolm · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003, 11:06 AM

I am not using AdSense currently because when I tried it out links did not open in a new window. However I was on a site today with an AdSense skyscraper and the links DID open in a new window (can't remember where I was). Has Google changed it this way or is this configurable in some way ? I really don't want to send visitors away.

Thanks

Malcolm

JMac · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003, 12:17 PM

I haven't yet come across a site where the Google AdSense ads launch in a new window. I also don't see it as an option in the Google AdSense account manager. They have some pretty strict rules about their ads so if you did see it launch in a new window somewhere else, that site may have altered the code - a big no-no for Google.

I'm looking forward to hearing from other WPW members on this - I, too, do not want to lose all my visitors to the relevant ads. Still - if you're going to lose visitors at some point (and they DO leave our sites sometimes!) why not get paid to lose them?

Good luck!

JMac

Paulo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003, 12:22 PM

Hi Malcolm,

I'm not familiar with AdSense but I do receive banner and button tags from agencies on a monthly basis.

9 times out of 10 the target attribute is missing from the link so I have to drop it in there myself. Don't know if you are able to modify your tags but it works for me.

Hope that's of use to you.

rbs21 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2003, 10:35 PM

I just subscribed to Adsense a few days ago. I am not really thrilled about losing my visitors but I did put a short note on my home page that they will have to use their back button to return.

I know Google is very adamant about changing the code, but has anyone actually asked them about letting us change to open in a new window? Never hurts to ask.

To Your Continued Success;

Randy

malcolm · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 03:02 AM

Yes I did ask them and it was words to the effect "AdSense does not support this and do not change the code" (although very nicely put and thanks for your enthusiasm etc.).

I think they probably get this question asked an awful lot and I hope they'll consider a small shift in policy. I can't see that it would undermine AdSense in any way myself.

Malc

E-MAC · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 05:46 AM

Well, actually, I do see where they would have a problem with opening in a new window.

I participate in Google Adsense on one of my sites, and I love the way it works. It does place relevent advertising links on the site, which should result in more effective advertising, and more click-thru payments for the websites.

However, I do wish the link would open in another window, but I understand why it does not.

Most people nowadays run "pop-up" blocker software, and most of the software is aggressive enough to NOT allow any links to open in a new window, whether they are opened by Script or by a simple "_blank" target reference. Google would put it, and it's advertisers in a position where they could possibly be charging/charged for an click-thru that ultimately got destroyed by a "pop-up" blocker.

So I can see why they would not want to do that.

I honestly feel that if your site is good enough, the visitor will use the back button.

However, if you really wanted to be aggressive, and make your visitors have an option, why not code an alert message that asks "You are about to leave this site, are you sure" when the user exits the site, and if they click yes, they leave, if they click no, open the current page (on your site) in a new window (and let Google Adsense do its job in the existing window)? You could do all of this with DHTML.

Just a thought.

malcolm · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 06:25 AM

I see where you're coming from but I've got Googles own Pop Up blocker by using their latest beta toolbar and that doesn't stop me going to any links that open in a new window. Do Pop Up blockers really block _target="blank" coding ???

Malcolm

E-MAC · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 11:54 PM

Yes, I do believe there are pop-up softwares that block the "_blank" target. One that comes to mind, that probably does, is installed with Norton Firewall, in which you can set the "aggressiveness" of the program.

I am sure there is enough of an issue with it to provoke Google to NOT want the ads opening in a new window.

Like I said, if it really is a concern, then you could always use DHTML to prompt them about leaving the site, and open your page in a new window if they don't wish to leave.

Of course, these are just my opinions. ;o)

JMac · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2003, 02:48 AM

Just received an email that Google added the one feature I was itching to get... changing the look of the ads. All the color options you need to make the ads more "a part of your site" - to which they will hopefully click "back" to once they've viewed the other site. I'm putting an "add to favorites" button somewhere this week, I swear it!

Have a great day!

JMac

malcolm · #10 (**permalink**) 08-08-2003, 03:11 AM

Thanks for your help, I suppose I can't hold on to my visitors forever.

Malc

LorraineH · #11 (**permalink**) 09-11-2003, 04:55 AM

I don't like to lose my visitors - and if they travel around the advertisers site they may have to do a lot of hitting of the back button to return.

Therefore I do something very simple - above where the adverts appear I simply have the text "To visit any of the sites below without leaving this site hold down the shift key when you click on the link."

malcolm · #12 (**permalink**) 09-11-2003, 05:01 AM

Brilliant idea ! Thanks

rlrouse · #13 (**permalink**) 09-18-2003, 02:32 PM

I just read on another forum that opening ads in a new Window is now an option for their Premium Publishers. They also had the option to customize the colors of their ad blocks before the rest of us as well as the ability to use the two new ad layouts.

It should be just a matter of time before they allow all of us to open the links in a new window.

Paul Brin · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 02:36 PM

I recently received this message from AdSense;
We ask that you please do not insert this text (our warning to viewers that they would be taken away from our web site) directly above the AdWords ads. You may alert your visitors in a different area of your page. However, we felt that the
original placement drew undue attention to the AdWords ads.

I wasn't making enough from the program to justify having my audience taken away so no more AdSense on our site.

citypublife · #15 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 01:45 AM

A few weeks ago I was sent a Questionnaire by adwords which asked whether I would like to see ads opening in a new window, along with many other questions which indicated future improvements could be on their way. (If they take any notice of our answers of course).