AdSense Optimisation: Creating Channels 2: Custom Channels

Recall that URL channels can be used to compare how your ads perform on different sites. This is essential information for optimising your site - getting the best results possible with your ad formats and positioning. Custom channels go one step further and allow you to see how a particular page, ad unit, search box or referral button is performing. Each custom channel relates to a different ad characteristic. Think carefully about which ad environments or characteristics you want to monitor and choose descriptive names for each channel.

Set up a new custom channel by generating a channel name and then generating the ad code associated with that channel.

Create a new custom channel name as follows:

• Log into your AdSense account.
• Click on the AdSense Setup tab.
• Click on the Channels link.
• Select either the AdSense for content, AdSense for search or Referrals tab in the panel that appears.
• Click Custom Channels.
• In the box that appears type a memorable and descriptive name for that channel (eg 'homepageleaderboardtop' etc).
• Click Add Channels to add your new channel name to the Active Channels list.
  

Now you need to generate the ad code associated with that channel:

• Click on the AdSense Setup tab.
• Select either the AdSense for content, AdSense for search or Referrals tab in the panel that appears.
• Select the desired ad format and colour palette then click Continue.
• Select up to five custom channels (named previously as above) from the Channel list by clicking the add>> link then clicking Continue.
• Select the ad code and paste it into your webpage.
  

To move a page to a different channel simply update the code.