Which of my forum ad setups is better for user experience?

[Amin Sabet]

EDIT: I've changed the ads at the links below, so the original question no longer applies.

Please compare the ad setup on Page A:

https://www.talkemount.com/threads/just-say-no-to-jpegs.14578/

to the one on Page B:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/which-is-a-better-choice-for-this-video-project-gx7-or-em5mkii.81723/

Both pages have ads in the footer. The difference is that Page B has two medium rectangles in a sidebar to the right without any ads between the posts, while Page A has responsive ads in between the posts without any sidebar to the right.

Both are adequate for revenue. Which setup is better for user experience?

Thanks,
Amin

 

[rdn]

I prefer 1 on sidebar top, 1 on first post, and the most earning location, above thread / below navigation.

 

[Amin Sabet]

I prefer 1 on sidebar top, 1 on first post, and the most earning location, above thread / below navigation.

For me that's too many. Do you have a preference between the two I posted? Not from a revenue standpoint but from a user standpoint?

 

[rdn]

Page A.

 

[Amin Sabet]

Thanks, @RoldanLT

I am trying out FORUMCAST but having a hard time making medium rectangles work on my site.

FORUMCAST aside, I always have a dilemma about whether to use an ad above the thread vs below the first post on the page. I think using both positions together makes a page look bad.

Regarding the above the thread (ad_thread_view_above_messages) location:

• In my opinion, this is the better of the two positions for user experience, because it doesn't interrupt the discussion right after it gets started. I don't mind showing an ad here to my members.
• Google says that a 300x250 ad above the content is bad for user experience on mobile and is an Adsense violation (source).
• It's probably the best earning position for a 728x90 ad in a discussion thread, which IMO is the nicest looking ad type for a forum thread in desktop view (considering only the sizes which earn well).

Regarding the below first post on the page location:

• It is probably the better of the two positions for SEO because the ad comes before any content.
• Presumably, one can use a 300x250 ad here on mobile without penalty.
• I would only show an ad here to guests as it's a bit of an eyesore for members IMO.

 

[m1ne]

Talkemount is better. I think you'd have better results inserting ads into posts rather than under posts, though.