A/B Testing Publisher Placements

Introduction

A/B testing helps publishers compare two placement or layout options to see which performs better. This article covers a simple approach.

Planning a Test

1. Choose a clear goal such as higher CTR or better viewability.
2. Identify one element to change, like the position or size of a single unit.
3. Decide how long to run the test to gather enough data.

[EDITOR: Add screenshot of a report comparing two ad units or layouts over time]

Running and Measuring

• Create two versions of the placement and ensure traffic is split fairly.
• Use reports grouped by ad unit or tag to track performance separately.
• Focus on a small number of key metrics instead of many minor ones.

Applying Results

• Keep the version that consistently meets your goal better.
• Apply successful patterns to similar areas on your sites.
• Document tests so you do not repeat experiments that already have clear outcomes.

Related Articles

• Monitoring Ad Performance in the Publisher Dashboard
• Site-Level vs Ad-Unit-Level Publisher Reports
• Optimizing Ad Density on Publisher Pages
• Low CTR Troubleshooting for Publishers

Updated on: 24/11/2025