Look what landed in my inbox: Hello,
We're writing to let you know about a coming change to the appearance of your Google ads. Your ads currently display the default Google color palette, Seaside (formerly known as Mother Earth). In the near future, we plan to update the default palette to Open Air, a new palette containing the same set of colors, but without the blue border. We've found that many publishers prefer the cleaner look of this palette and have also seen that a blended color palette performs better for them – attracting user interest while still maintaining the distinction between ads and content with the 'Ads by Google' label.
Please note that this change will only affect your ad units where your ad code does not specify colors.* For all other units, your color selections will be retained.
You can view the new Open Air palette by taking these steps:
1. Log into your AdSense account at http://www.google.com/adsense 2. Go to the 'AdSense Setup' tab. 3. Click the 'Color Palettes' link. 4. From the color palettes dropdown, select 'Open Air'. The example ad will update to show the new palette.
If you'd prefer not to use Open Air, you can change your ad colors by following the steps detailed in our Help Center: http://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=9981. Please keep in mind that if you choose to change your ad colors, you'll need to generate new ad code using the new colors and replace the code that's currently on your pages.
If you don't choose to update your ad code, your ads will begin displaying the Open Air palette within the next 10 days. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
The Google AdSense Team |
Yikes! They themselves are doing the blending trick. |
OK, I think it's fair for them to try to make more money through AdSense... but why don't they admit to the fact that "blended" ads simply make more money because more users confuse them with *real* content? |
Yep.. I also got this mail last night. The fine line between good and evil is dwindling it seems. |
I don't think it makes a diffence if you click on a link that interests you whether it is real or spronsored.
To me, it does not make Google any more "good" or "evil". |
"I’ve also received a forward copy of the email from others, though I didn’t get it myself (is it US-only?)." Nope, I received it too. (the Netherlands) |
can someone post a screen shot of that Open Air palette, or perhaps a before/after sample of an ad? |
Excellent idea for an illustration Michael... please check the updated post. |
philipp – i got an email in german. perhaps google made some tests and mailed the news to the most inefficient customers first ;-) |
I like the new ads better: the old ones were ugly. |
>>perhaps google made some tests and mailed the news to the most inefficient customers first ;-)
I don´t think so. I haven´t received it yet =) |
"I don't think it makes a diffence if you click on a link that interests you whether it is real or spronsored.
To me, it does not make Google any more "good" or "evil"."
Personally I am banner blind and ignore Ads whether they would interest me or not, provided I can identify them.
And I got the email in the UK so its not US. |
i got it in the UK too.
is it perhaps, just people who are using the default palette?
hence this: "Your ads currently display the default Google color palette" |
I also tend to ignore ads automatically, unless I look for them. Persoanally, I think the new default style looks much nicer; the blue-border one was an eyesore. |
I've got this letter, in my language (Polish). |