Contextual advertising is a form of ad targeting for promotional content that appears on digital media, as well as websites and browsers. The ads are chosen and served by automated systems that work to display the most relevant ads based on the identity of the user. This article will reveal some techniques to improve contextual advertising.
The Importance of Contextual Advertising
It’s no secret that the traditional methods of advertising are not nearly as effective as they once were. The idea of throwing out a giant, untargeted net and hoping for the best is a thing of the past. Contextual advertising is a tactic designed to create digital campaigns that are tailored to the organic flow of the UX. As the bulk of online behavior is now being tracked, it would be wise to make the most of this new reality and find new ways to increase revenue.
When you write blog posts, the name of the game is to engage and educate readers without blatantly pushing a sales agenda. Contextual ads are the fantastic way to put relevant ad content in front of interested eyes without coming off as intrusive.
Some Ways to Use Contextual Advertising
If you want to earn more with the advertisements, here are some ways you can tap the vast engagement potential of contextual ads.
Never Compromise On UX
Intrusive advertising can ruin an online experience faster than anything else. Many times, users don’t even look at poorly designed or irrelevant ads on a website. They are only interested in finding the X that gets rid of them. From a technical perspective, if your site’s color scheme presents a neutral vibe, a giant ad with super-vibrant colors will look out of place and will certainly disrupt the UX.
Contextual advertising is far from a one-size-fits-all solution. Each platform has its own unique landscape when it comes to displaying opportunities. For this reason, you cannot underestimate the importance of ad customization. Even the tiniest detail can wreak havoc on a website’s UX and ruin the effectiveness of the ad.
Understand Visitor Intent
As in nearly all forms of online marketing, the key ingredient is simply knowing how your audience functions in relation to your platform. When it comes to contextual advertising, a great deal of success comes down to being in the right place at the right time. The visual hierarchy of your content needs to be in perfect order. From a monetization point of view too, ads need to be placed in accordance with your visitors’ on-site surfing behavior. Further, the messaging needs to be changed based on how people interact with your website.
Be Very Selective in Choosing Advertisers
As a blogger, choosing the advertisers that are allowed to display contextual ads on your website should not be a trivial process. One of the biggest mistakes a publisher can make is welcoming any and all advertisers for the sake of revenue. In reality, doing this can be counter-productive. For example, if your blog provides travel advice, placing ads for bathroom cleaners or marketing automation software wouldn’t likely be in line with what the user is looking for.
Last Words
After going through this article, you must have come across the harsh reality that you will always be locked in a constant battle not only with other publishers but also ad blockers. The key to capitalizing on engagement potential is finding innovative ways to appeal to customers on a level that doesn’t compromise their online experience and adds intrinsic value to their lives.