Why not have both?

The 15px-high link units work very well for me when placed halfway down and all the way down the content.

On my site, it's one or the other. A few key pages where link units work, but on most pages, I have a single ad block. Depends on the page design.

Not so far on any page under any configuration that I have tested.

I believe that is because it is a 2-state process for the user to click on the link units and then to click on an ad.

The resulting CTR is far less in my experience than that of a standard ad unit on sites which cover thousands of unique pages, even when used in various link unit/ad unit combinations.

Others may have different experiences, but my extensive testing has not proven fruitful as of yet.

I have had great success with the horizontal link units. Never did find a way to get the vertical ones to pay well.

I have some sites where the only AdSense I use are the horizontal links, and they're good for several hundred bucks per month per site.

Yes, i have a great success with link unit. Just 2 days back i got 1 click in link unit which gave me $2.80. usually i get 10 to 20 cent per click in link unit

I use ad units, plus 2 vertical link units. The link units do well, I use the vertical with the biggest width, which allows more copy (ie instead of just 'widgets', the wider width can fit 'red widgets')

1 x AdLink and 1 x Leaderboard

Consistently from day 1 launch of AdLinks it has provided ~50% of my earnings.

The average EPC has always been lower however it is very obvious that some peope actually surf AdLinks for stuff.

Do link units work for you VS Ad units?

One of my best (regular performing) channels is a link unit.
One of my worse (regular performing) channels is a link unit.

For my site, it depends on subject matter and how well related the results are.

Since March 1st

$1998 mainly by 300x250 and 336x280 blocks
$1525 from 120x90 and 200x90 adlink

For the small size, a surpising high share on total earnings.

Since March 1st

$1998 mainly by 300x250 and 336x280 blocks
$1525 from 120x90 and 200x90 adlink

For the small size, a surpising high share on total earnings.

Wow, I didn't realize link units could be so successful, I figured maybe 10% of earnings.

Cheers,

For the small size, a surpising high share on total earnings.

Sometimes the link units make up for the stupid ads. Like tonight I'm getting Ambien CR ads instead of relevant ads on a couple of sites and they're being very stubborn. So the link units provide something relevant to click on while waiting for my ad block to kick in.

jetteroheller

Amazing results you get. I have never seen link units bring in even a fraction of ad units -- and I have now tested many possible sizes and positioning. I recall one page that did well with link units, and that is it. I will continue to test given that so many here seem to be getting results.

We successfully use both. Interestingly the link-unit brings in a nice variation of ad text/copy in regards to the content of the ad unit. They seem to compliment each other well...

Google recommended I try replacing the link unit with an ad unit, since the ad unit only requires one click and they thought this would boost my revenues.

When I tested their suggestion, I actually made LESS money, since the two ad units were now showing very similar ads (and looked very similar ie - spammy). Even though I was getting more clicks to the second ad unit, they were paying far less, and taking away from my more valuable clicks from the first ad unit.

Long story short, I went back to have my ad unit and link unit combo and my earnings returned to normal.

From a percentage of revenue, I'd say the ad unit is still king, but the link unit will compliment it well without sacrificing any clicks to your main ad unit.

For those who have experienced success with horizontal ad units - do you usually put them near the top of a page, bottom, middle...?

FarmBoy

I'm wondering if the interest based advertising that's supposedly starting today will also be applied to link units.

For those who have experienced success with horizontal ad units - do you usually put them near the top of a page, bottom, middle...?

Near the top of page (below logo) and below an image.

Does depend on niche too. I have different niches. Apples for instance gets lots of clicks, Pears do not. Yet same format is used.