An eyetracking study recorded how users looked at thousands of Web pages including Google and Slashdot. The study looked at how people navigate websites, search and react to advertising.
The summary is that a human eye scans a webpage like letter F. These results [similar to Google Heatmap] are depicted in the picture on the right side.
The areas where users looked the most are colored red; the yellow areas indicate fewer views, followed by the least-viewed blue areas. Gray areas didn't attract any fixations.
The results offer some useful hints for Web Designers and Bloggers showing Advertisments.
First, for effective layouts - don't place Google Ads [or other advertising banners] on the right sidebar as web users typically ignore that area.
Users scan a webpage in seconds and no one is going to read text word-by-word. Most are only going to read the first two paragraphs. In a few seconds, their eyes move at amazing speeds across your website’s words in a pattern that's very different from what you learned in school.
Therefore, try to highlight [use different font, increase font weight] the important lines to attract user attention. Make the initial paragraphs interesting to read.
Related: Read Google Adsense Tips
Read: F-Shaped Pattern For Reading Web Content
Source: DP Forums | The eyes have it
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/where-should-i-place-google-ads-for.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Thnx that was useful a hint.
Written on 21/12/06 8:37 PM
what you stated is perfect. then how come you have ads on the right side?
Written on 17/5/07 11:45 AM
Where can I get heatmap software? is there any free service out there to find out hot spot in my site?
I also curious for the reason why you put your ads on the right side.
Written on 5/6/07 8:55 AM
Thanx bro it really haelped
I had ads only at right side of my blog. Now I moved them.
I m also Using inline ad
Written on 12/9/07 5:40 PM
this was really helpfull! great article about placement of google ads. thanks! always good to read such articles and improve your site!
Written on 30/9/07 6:20 PM
Best article so far about placing Google ads! Thanks man!
Written on 10/10/07 11:24 AM