Google AdSense: Optimizing Fill Empty In-Page Ad Spaces

Google AdSense is always exploring ways to protect publishers's revenue. Google AdSense announced the launch of a new unfilled inventory optimization setting, “Fill empty in-page ads”. According to AdSense, they'll turn this new setting on for all publishers over the next 30 days.

What is “Fill empty in-page ads”?

It’s a new setting that will be available in the "Ad serving" page in Blocking controls. From there, the publisher will be able to choose whether or not they want AdSense to optimize their ad spaces when display ads aren't available. Some ways AdSense might fill your empty in-page ad spaces include:

AdSense displays suggestions that are contextually relevant to the publisher's page and site within empty ad spaces. For example, the publisher page is about baking; in an unfilled ad space, AdSense might show suggestions that relate to baking, such as ingredients or cooking utensils, etc. If a user clicks on any of these, AdSense will try to show display ads relevant to the suggestion the user clicked on inside a dialog.

To track your earnings from these suggestions:

• Visit the Reports page in AdSense.
• Create a custom report and add the "Ad format" breakdown.
• Click Edit metrics, select the "Funnel" metrics and click Apply.

Automatic enrollment

“Fill empty in-page ads” will be turned on by default for all publishers, so no action is required by them. AdSense understands that flexibility is important. If the publisher prefers not to optimize empty ad spaces, they can opt out.

• Sign in to your AdSense account.
• Click Brand safety.
• Click Content, then Blocking controls.
• Click Manage Ad serving.
• In the "Display ads" section, turn off Fill empty in-page ads.

Google strives to continuously enhance the performance and usability of AdSense. Publisher's feedback has been instrumental in driving the changes listed above, and AdSense will continue improving the publisher's user experience.