Google Adsense Falling CPM - The Recession Has Landed

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It’s not hard to notice that getting paid by Google Adsense gets harder each day. As long as you keep on adding fresh new content at a superhuman pace, you might be lucky to earn 25% less than what you did 3 years ago. I know that sounds pessimistic, but it’s a genuine reflection of the state of things. In the last three years my websites have grown by tens of thousands of pages, yet my income from Adsense has remained relatively static.

I know part of the slowdown is the fact companies slow ad spending during economic slowdowns. But the moves Google has been making with their program are more pernicious than that. They have gone out of their way to make it so that advertisers aren’t “overpaying” for clicks. But that’s bound to leave some of us who have been loyal publishers for 4 years getting paid less, and wondering why, exactly, Google has to discount our clicks to advertisers. Better yet, since the company works on a “blind payout” to us, it’s not hard to speculate they’re just keeping more for themselves.

Let’s face it, owning your own 767 which you keep parked at a NASA facility can get expensive. So do private chefs making free meals for your overrated employees. There’s a damn good reason most companies don’t supply a bus fleet and free food to their workers. Google is acting like their bubble is real business, and the good times will roll, all the while shifting the responsibility to belt tighten to the unwashed masses who make up their publishing network.

I mean, give it a friggin’ rest Google. Adsense ads don’t need “scroll bars” so people can ignore half the ads, and choose lower paid ones. Publishers shouldn’t have to “unblend” ads after doing it that way for years. Further, listening to the high-handed way Google “communicates” with all of us has reached a breaking point. I liken their approach to the way the “Lord of the Manor” spoke to his serfs, in the good old days.

No other internet company makes wholesale changes constantly that negatively effect “partner” websites. Google does, and does so with nearly reckless abandon and mindless glee. They feel nothing when a webmaster screams in pain. But collectively, when the webmasters have finally had enough, even the mighty “G” will be brought to their knees, where they too can learn the importance of respect for others and communication being a two way street.

Anyways, Google is announcing earnings today, and I have to admit to being very interested in exactly what these guys have to say about their fading advertising program. I don’t want to hear about any more research facilities, giant donations, or any other of the non-essential crap this company involves themselves with. Rather, I’d prefer to hear what these ingrates plan on doing to get me more money from advertisers. If they can’t do it, then it’s time to dump them and find someone who is working.

Recession, malaise, or a general lack of interest in Adsense. Whatever it is, it’s getting noticeable, and the decline seems to be occurring at a faster pace lately with no sign of easing.

Google Adsense is still in number one, but their lead is shrinking daily.

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