Just a quick note on an interesting test I have done on AdSense content targeting. Simply put, I uploaded a number of copies of a html document with some text about DVD-players (in Swedish), altering only the
The results are interesting to say the least. From this simple test it seems that in this particular instance AdSense relies entirely on the filename / URL alone to determine content targeting. If the file is called world_of_warcraft_guide.htm, then ads about World or Warcraft would show, regardless of page title and page content (see images below).
Furthermore, if the filename was buy_car_online.htm, then ads about car rental would display, despite the title being DVD-player (in swedish) and the content being about DVD players.
See for yourselves.
Popularity: 6% [?]
the prices of Pioneer dvd players are dropping these days and they are quite a bargain`–
Noticed that myself. I named my site “Side Quest Publications” and most of my ads seemed targeted at video games.
As I update the site, I slowly find an increase of writing related ads, however; it’s difficult to say how much is really the content and how much is that “Publications” in the site name. None of my file names/titles are particularly game or writing related.
Personally, though I wouldn’t mind a higher writing-to-gaming ratio, I’m happy with the arrangement. It’s when they try throwing in other things that throws me off.