click on any page other than the homepage.  you will see adsense ads on the side columns.  though not necessary, each column can be further made to focus on the content within that column.  you will see content heavy sites do this to ensure more precise targeting.

Ok, I'm a little confused. I thought that Adsense already was coded to
look at your content and find appropriate ads. If not, then what is it
currently looking at? If so, then why the need for additional code?

Like Mike said, Google looks at your entire site to match the ads.  If you have an ad or link to an article outside of your current article, then the big G might match an ad to those rather than the particular article you are writing about.  The result is you get funky ads that are relevant to your SITE but not relevant to your ARTICLE.

Hey Mike, I just inserted the code that Craig provided into these hooks
using Thesis Open Hook, but now the code shows up on the site as text!
What do you think the problem is?

Just a guess here but did you enable php in the section for OpenHook?  I think there's a check box under the hook?

It could also be that there's too much information in the code I provided to use in OpenHook.

This is why I like to code the file myself sometimes.  It's also good practice to get to know the code in case I muck something up.

Craig's code would be if you were editing the custom functions file.  If you're using openhook most of that is unnecessary, just strip it down to the two lines below.  I attached a screenshot of the openhook box so you can see....

<!– google_ad_section_start –>

<!– google_ad_section_end –>

Let me know if you still have problems.

Mike

Craig, do you have the Thesis Openhook Plugin?  It lets you make a lot of changes like this without messing with the custom functions file. 

I did mine similar to yours, but I placed the it before content instead of before post because I wanted to make sure my Title would be included, and in fact it's the first content after the ad section starts.  If your keyword is in your Title I think that would help.

thesis_hook_before_content

thesis_hook_after_content

Khaleef, AdSenselooks at your entire page to determine the relevance for partcular keywords, but this code is kind of like highlighting a certain section and saying "this is the really important stuff".  Google even says they may still factor in the rest of your page but it can help to highlight the areas you feel are most relevant. 

Sorry, but I really don't know much about this stuff - but trying to learn!

I have OpenHook and use it for a couple of things but I found that overall it's easier for me to go into my functions file and make the changes myself.

I did mine similar to yours, but I placed the it before content instead of before post because I wanted to make sure my Title would be included, and in fact it's the first content after the ad section starts.  If your keyword is in your Title I think that would help.

/*adsense targeting functions*/

function open_adsense_targting(){

echo "<!– google_ad_section_start –>";

}

function close_adsense_targting(){

echo "<!– google_ad_section_end –>";

}

add_action('thesis_hook_before_post','open_adsense_targting' );

add_action('thesis_hook_after_post', 'close_adsense_targting');

This is probably where I got the code:

http://www.wolf-howl.com/blogs.....targeting/

Remember, this is only for Thesis users.

Great tip! I've been wandering this as well! I'm going to implement in the next few days. 

 

Mike - So you've seen your adsense pick up a bit since adding it?

The clickthrough rate didn't increase but the CPC amount did.  Admittedly it's a small sample size so I'll have to see if the trend continues or if it was just a coincidence, but it makes sense that earnings would increase if the ads are more targeted.

Mike