Is Google experimenting with font options in AdSense?
Google AdSense does not have options for modifying font type, size or color. However, there have been reports of Google testing different font types for AdSense, live on various blogs. I managed to grab a screenshot of one such test - two different fonts on three ad units (two boxes and a skyscraper), all on a single page.
Google testing different fonts in AdSense? (click image for a larger view)
The above screenshot was grabbed from Torrent Freak, a popular the most popular blog about torrents and file sharing.
I hope that Google will roll out font options for the publisher, or better yet, allow the AdSense ad units to automatically inherit the font of the content around it (in post or in the sidebar, for example).
Have you noticed any variations in AdSense fonts? Tell us. If you have screenshots of it, link to it in comments and we will feature them here (with due credit to you, of course).
Ashutosh Mishra said on May 15th, 2008
Yes the ads on my blog were all in Comic Sans two days ago, while they are usually Verdana or Arial.
Post authorSumesh said on May 15th, 2008
@Ashutosh: Thanks for your comment - so that is atleast 4 fonts that we’ve seen in the past few weeks.
Haris said on May 15th, 2008
I still haven’t noticed any changes in the Adsense font on my blog. But I like the current font, though.
Nirmal said on May 15th, 2008
I too noticed on few blogs, its good option anyways.
Shankar Ganesh said on May 15th, 2008
Yup I noticed one with the Comic Sans font. May be it can help in reducing ad blindness?
Post authorSumesh said on May 15th, 2008
@Nirmal: Thanks for chiming in - good to know that I’m not seeing any strange dreams, but rather that it is true
Madhur Kapoor said on May 15th, 2008
I havent yet noticed it on any blog. But the change looks good
Myo Kyaw Htun said on May 16th, 2008
Great news. I hope that will make more clicks
Post authorSumesh said on May 16th, 2008
@Madhur, Myo Kyaw Htun: Yes, the change can only be better if Google allows us to control the font. We can then change the font to blend in with the typography of our theme. (=more clicks
)
Xavier said on June 21st, 2008
I have noticed different fonts at websites too. Really hope that Google Adsense give font options to publishers.
Post authorSumesh said on June 22nd, 2008
@Xavier: Indeed, they might - but when they have been testing for months and we get no news about it, I am starting to wonder whether Google will randomize the fonts. That would make some designs awkward (say, Comic Sans on a page with Georgia/Verdana).