BTW, the site has nothing to do with faerie tales, I used that as an example. Sorry if it wasn't clear.

I didn't realise my question was so difficult for the group. No worries, I will ask elsewhere.

Now what in heavens does meta tags have to do with this?

Now what in heavens does meta tags have to do with this?

Actually, my main question was ...

Asuming I had lots of text in the example below, would the code look something like this on a page ? ...

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->wanted text here
<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

<!-- google_ad_section_start(weight=ignore) -->rubbish text in here
<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->wanted text here
<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Now, a while ago I had a lot of metatag descriptions were dupicate but the CTR was much higher and adverts were more ON-topic.
After changing the metatag descriptions, the CTR dropped and more OFF-topic adverts.

To avoid having duplicate meta description tags AND to gain back ON-topic adverts, do I use the google_ad_section_start as I have shown above ?

Clear Now ?

Clear? Not exactly, meta tags have nothing to do with this issue.

I would recommend using only one set of ad section open/close tags. Forget the others, and don't use more than one on a page. Works like a charm for me.

Get it now?

lame_wolf. i think you ask a good question. i actually do it the same way as you...

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->

wanted text here

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

<!-- google_ad_section_start(weight=ignore) -->

rubbish text in here

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->

wanted text here

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

but maybe other people do it like this...

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->

wanted text here

<!-- google_ad_section_start(weight=ignore) -->

rubbish text in here

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

wanted text here

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

the first one definitely works okay, but i wouldn't mind knowing whether the second one does too. it would save a few bytes on my pages.

I'm not sure how much, if at all, ads are based on meta tags. But they can't hurt. I haven't gotten the warning about duplicate content on meta tags that are almost duplicates, except for some added words that are unique on each page, so maybe you can try that.
Also, you may have done this already on the pages, but make sure the titles all have the words (to use your example) "fairie tales" in them, like "the woman in a shoe - a fairie tale" and that you have subheadings and bolded taxt with the words "fairie tales." Also, any synonyms you can think of or other terms that would get better ads, like "children's books" or "make believe" make sure that is in subheadings and bolded. Check your pages after you've made changes to see what kinds of ads you get with each group of changes.

Clear? Not exactly, meta tags have nothing to do with this issue.

Are you sure ?
Have you tested for such things ?

Then why is it that since I have altered the meta description tags that the adverts are more off-topic than before ?

Now I am getting adverts for oil companies, fuel prices and damaged cars for something that doesn't even mention them.

the first one definitely works okay, but i wouldn't mind knowing whether the second one does too. it would save a few bytes on my pages.

Thanks Londrum, that's cleared that up. I will stick/start with the 1st version.

I'm not sure how much, if at all, ads are based on meta tags. But they can't hurt.

It is the only thing I have changed over the last month or so on that section of the site. CTR has dropped in that section as well as on-topic adverts. ~(no surprise)

I haven't gotten the warning about duplicate content on meta tags that are almost duplicates, except for some added words that are unique on each page, so maybe you can try that.

The meta description tags in that section were all the same. All 1400 of them.

Also, you may have done this already on the pages, but make sure the titles all have the words (to use your example) "fairie tales" in them, like "the woman in a shoe - a fairie tale"

The H1 tag has the keyword in it. The H2 tag is the name of the story. H3 is the area it came from. (can't give too much away)
But to add that to every H1 would look at bit spammy from the visitors point of view. Okay if they just read one, but many read 20 or more in a sitting.

and that you have subheadings and bolded text with the words "fairie tales."

Again, that would become spammy with so many. Plus, some have long titles... and I do mean long :)

I do have a short list at the bottom of each page which does have the keyword in each line, but you can only go so far with that before spam sets in.

Also, any synonyms you can think of or other terms that would get better ads, like "children's books" or "make believe" make sure that is in subheadings and bolded. Check your pages after you've made changes to see what kinds of ads you get with each group of changes.

I've been playing around with a page all day. Still getting oil adverts etc even when I put the whole story in "ignore" and just had the section with the keywords for "not ignore"

I may make a dummy page with no navigation, meta tags etc and see what that does.
Thanks for all your help,
plh
Lame Wolf

Lame_Wolf, a word of warning--I've noticed that changes can take a while to take hold. So where you say "Still getting oil adverts etc even when I put the whole story in "ignore" and just had the section with the keywords for "not ignore"" you may not have waited long enough. Give it a few days or even a week.

Also, I'm not sure that the system takes kindly to being told to ignore virtually ALL of the content on a page and emphasize only a few words. I've found it works on pages where I ask it to ignore maybe 10% of the page (a repeated navigation element found on every page, for example) and weight a similar amount (a piece of introductory text).

I can't tell for certain, since you are using a generalized example instead of examples from your site, but it's also possible that your content just isn't good for AdSense. If the content really is stories of ANY kind, for example, it may be difficult to get "good" ads....

I have one site with a similar predicament. Say it is about rock concerts and there's an area where people talk about the latest concert they've seen; I get ads about chairs, lighting, rooms, windows, renovation... instead of music and concerts. My google_ad_section_start tags helped in the past but it seems that it stopped working (or as well) in the past 2-3 months. Like you, I also try to avoid being spammy at all cost and repeat too much my keywords, but even then, google still take it hints mostly from the main text. This is the type of sites where it would help if we could give google a category (ex: music instead of house renovation) to help them out.

Lame_Wolf, a word of warning--I've noticed that changes can take a while to take hold. So where you say "Still getting oil adverts etc even when I put the whole story in "ignore" and just had the section with the keywords for "not ignore"" you may not have waited long enough. Give it a few days or even a week.

It is something I have played with on and off for a while. Some stories are spot on, but some are well off target and cannot always see why or where they are choosing these adverts.

Also, I'm not sure that the system takes kindly to being told to ignore virtually ALL of the content on a page and emphasize only a few words.

It was a last resort kind of test. I've tried so many things with it.

I can't tell for certain, since you are using a generalized example instead of examples from your site,

I gave very similar examples to what is on the site, but I don't think I can mention the niche in here.

but it's also possible that your content just isn't good for AdSense.

Believe me, it is. :)

If the content really is stories of ANY kind,

That part of the site is.

Anyway, I have fixed the problem now. I removed the adverts from that page alltogether <G>

but it's also possible that your content just isn't good for AdSense.

Believe me, it is. :)

When what you or I believe to be the right ads aren't showing up, that can often be a sign of a problem -- it may seem obvious to you that certain keywords should be triggering ads, but if they aren't and you are resorting to byzantine tweaks to get those ads, I think it's reasonable to say that AdSense and your content aren't working well together....

Removing the ads is always an option -- I think you are smart to do that.

It took me about 18 mos to get really targeted ads on one site, but it was well worth it.