Updated Guidance on Implementing AdMob Interstitial Ads

We�ve recently made some updates to our AdMob Help Center to help provide further guidance on implementing interstitial ads. These best practices, along with examples of what you should and shouldn�t do, are designed to help developers implement interstitial ads.

Mobile devices have limited screen size, which means that careful planning for your ad placement is especially important. Improper implementation can lead to accidental clicks, and our goal is to build a strong ecosystem that benefits users, advertisers and developers in the long term.

Our goal is to provide examples which help developers create positive user experiences.  Users should not be overwhelmed with interstitial ads. Repeated interstitial ads often lead to poor user experiences and accidental clicks.

Additionally, users should not be surprised by interstitial ads. Placing interstitial ads so that they suddenly appear when a user is focused on a task at hand (e.g., playing a game, filling out a form, reading content) may lead to accidental clicks and often creates a frustrating user experience.

Finally, ads should not be placed in a way that prevents viewing the app�s core content, nor in a way that interferes with navigating or interacting with the app�s core content and functionality.

More examples and details, along with additional visual examples of best practices can be found on the AdMob Help Center. Here you will find disallowed implementations and recommendations on how to fix interstitial implementations, as well as general interstitial ad guidance.

Subscribe to app development insights from AdMob by Google here.

Posted by John Brown Head of Publisher Policy Communications

We heart Contributor: Heres why you will too

You might have heard about Contributor through recent posts from the Google team, publishers, and the press. Today we want to share more about the product and provide you an easy way to promote this new revenue source to your site visitors.

Think about your own experience surfing the web. Are there publishers whose content you particularly love and keep going back to? Do you wish you could support these publishers, but see fewer ads? Weve learned that users want an option to directly support the open web and the people who make it hum with great content, while also seeing fewer ads.

We understand that as a publisher your most pressing concerns are keeping your users happy and generating revenue to support your business. Contributor presents a new option to meet both of these goals.

Heres how it works
With Contributor, users pick a monthly contribution level (of $2, $5, or $10) and those funds are used to pay for the sites they visit.

By choosing to contribute to publishers, users essentially participate in the ad auction. If the users bid wins, no ad is shown, but youll get paid by Google as you normally do when ads are served.

Help spread the word
Let your visitors know about Contributor by putting a customized Contributor badge on your site.

Find out how and learn about more ways you can help spread the word here. And if youre interested in seeing how it works, try Contributor for yourself.

Posted by David Stanke

Contributor Product Manager

Megabit: Building a dream with AdMob

Growing up in Jordan, Ahmad Jarrar knew that he was going to start his own company. After working in the tech industry, Jarrar decided to quit his job to work on Android apps. Starting out wasn�t easy but he refused to give up, building a successful company in Megabit. Having grown a large user base, Megabit shifted its focus to retention and that�s when they turned to AdMob. Megabit used Analytics to gain valuable insights into their users, enabling them to optimize their apps for higher returns. Megabit also adopted an ad-supported model with AdMob, generating 5X revenue while achieving a 100% fill rate. To find out more, check out Jarrar�s story here.

Megabit�s popular app, Wallpapers for Chat, reached 4.2 million downloads in just 3 months. Wallpapers for Chat lets users customize their wallpapers on chat apps by choosing from a large wallpaper collection.

Posted by Henry Wang
Product Marketing, AdMob

Catch what you missed at Casual Connect SF

We had a blast at Casual Connect this year. We enjoyed meeting with game developers, chatting about the best ways to monetize their apps. If you weren�t able to make it, below is a video recording of one of our talks.

This talk was given by Alejandro Manchado, Google's US Gaming Partnerships Lead. He covered how AdMob is bringing the unique scale and innovation of its solutions to help game developers figure out the right monetization strategy for their audiences, whether that's IAP, ads, or both. This talk discussed monetizing games effectively through tools like ad mediation, plus adding value through new formats like native ads.

For more information on monetization, and to stay connected on all things AdMob, follow our Twitter and Google+ pages.

Posted by Mike Schipper

Product Marketing, AdMob

Gram Games: Growing revenue 7X with AdMob�s in-app advertising

While building engaging games was never an issue for Gram Games, promoting and monetizing them was a challenge. Turning to Google, Gram Games found success with AdMob. By switching from a premium model to an ad-supported model through AdMob, Gram Games generated $5K earnings in a single day, increasing their revenue sevenfold. Thanks in part to AdMob, Gram Games is now one of Turkey�s fastest growing startups, producing original mobile games ranging from strategy to casual, mid-core and more. Check out their full story here.

Gram Games� highly addictive game 1010! Puzzle has over 5 million downloads on Google Play alone. A challenging but simple puzzle game,1010! Puzzle lets users piece together puzzles within 30 seconds and compete with their friends in the process.

Posted by Henry Wang
Product Marketing, AdMob

Online Death Indexes, Obituaries, Cemeteries and Probate Records - Latest Additions and Updates

The Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records Directory has been updated with links to the following items...

California
- Los Angeles County: Antelope Valley Genealogical Society's Area Cemeteries (burials index for some cemeteries in Lancaster, Palmdale, Acton and Leona Valley)

District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961 at FamilySearch; includes index and digitized images of the death certificates (update: years 1960 and 1961 added)

Florida
- Nassau County: Fernandina Death and Burial Records, 1896-1916

Georgia
- Georgia Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county

Idaho
- Idaho Death Index, 1890-1964 (at Ancestry/requires payment) update: years 1963 and 1964 added

Illinois
- Illinois Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county
- Adams County: Card Index to Deaths, 1877-1990 (at FamilySearch)
- Cook County: Ancestry's (fee-based) probate database for Illinois includes indexed and digitized probate records for Cook County and Chicago c.1871-c.1923; See: Online Chicago and Cook County, Illinois Death Records and Indexes. Scroll down to the "Chicago and Cook County Probate Records and Indexes" section.
- Knox County: Galesburg Public Library Birth, Obituary, and Wedding Index, 2006-recent; from the Register Mail newspaper
- McLean County: Central Illinois Obituaries, 1850-1880 (from Bloomington, Illinois Newspapers)
- St. Clair County: Walnut Hill Cemetery Burials, 1855-2014 (Belleville, Illinois)

Indiana
- Benton County Cemeteries
- Grant County Death Certificates Index (from the Grant County Health Department)
- Greene County Death Records Index, 1895-1996
- Sullivan County Genealogy Indexes (Update: more indexes added, more years added to the obituary index)

Iowa
- Iowa Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county
- Boone County Cemeteries
- Dallas County Cemeteries
- Iowa County Obituaries Index (also has other genealogy indexes)
- Webster County Death Certificate Index, 1925-1933

Kansas
- Franklin County: Obituaries in Ottawa, Kansas Newspapers 1965-2003
- Republic County: Belleville City Cemetery Burials

Louisiana
- Louisiana Death Records Index 1911-1964 (update: year 1964 added)

Maine
- Waldo County: Births, Deaths and Marriages Recorded in Town Reports (from the Belfast Free Library)

Michigan
- Washtenaw County: University of Michigan, Alumni Records - Necrology File Index (for students who died prior to 1965)

Minnesota
- Germanic Genealogy Society of Minnesota Cemetery Transcriptions (includes transcriptions for 8 primarily German cemeteries in Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Todd Counties)

Mississippi
- Mississippi Wills and Probate Records, 1780-1982 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county

Missouri
- Missouri Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county

Missouri (St. Louis)
- St. Louis City Wills Indexes, 1816-1956 (update: more years added)
- Ancestry's (fee-based) Missouri Probate database includes indexed and digitized records for St. Louis City Probate Files c.1812-c.1898 and Wills c.1816-c.1967. See: Online St. Louis, Missouri Death Records, Indexes and Obituaries. Scroll down to the "St. Louis Probate Records and Wills" section.

Nebraska
- Cheyenne County: Greenwood Cemetery Burials (Sidney, Nebraska)

New Jersey
- New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980 at FamilySearch (free; browsable images only; not indexed; coverage varies by county; most end in 1920)
- New Jersey Wills and Probate Records, 1785-1924 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county
- Essex County: Glendale Cemetery Burials (Bloomfield, New Jersey)
- Morris County Probated Estates Search

New York (State)
- New York Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county

New York City
- New York Wills and Probate Records at Ancestry (requires payment; coverage varies)
- New York County, New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1658-1880 at Ancestry (requires payment; some volumes are missing)
- New York Probate Records at FamilySearch (unindexed; does not include the present day Bronx; coverage varies)
- Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogates Office, City of New York 1665-1801

See the "Probate Records and Wills" section at: Online New York City Death Records Indexes and Obituaries

North Carolina
- North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 from FamilySearch (images only; not yet indexed; coverage varies by county; most records are from 1800-1930)
- North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county
- Cumberland County Cemeteries
- Gaston County: Genealogy and Local History Indexes (includes: Early Church Histories and Cemeteries of Gaston and Lincoln Counties Index, and other items)
- Northampton County Burials Database (lists over 4300 burials in Northampton County)

Ohio
- Diocese of Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries Burial Search (update: 3 cemeteries added); See: Online Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, Ohio Death Records and Indexes

Oregon
- Clackamas County: Clackamas Review Obituary Index, 1926-April, 1999 (city of Milwaukie)
- Multnomah County: Assorted Death Indexes (includes indexes for Portland death certificates 1889-1902, Multnomah County probate cases 1852-1939, St. Mary's Cemetery burials (catholic cemetery in Portland), some obituaries, and other items)

Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county

Tennessee
- Hamilton County: Chattanooga Public Library Newspapers Obituary Index 1897-2014 (updated: more years added)

Texas
- Williamson County Clerk Death Index Search (c. 1930s-recent; also has indexes for births and marriages)

Utah
- Utah Death Certificates Index 1905-1964; includes free downloadable images of the death certificates (update: years 1963 and 1964 added)
- Utah State Archives Online Death Indexes (includes Beaver County Death Registers Index, 1900-1905; Box Elder County: Garland City Cemetery Interment Registers Index, 1893-1961; Sanpete County Clerk Death Register, 1898-1905; Salt Lake County Coroners' Inquest Case Files Index, 1870-1871 and 1886-1937; Salt Lake County Probate Case Files Index, 1852-1896)

West Virginia
- West Virginia Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1978 (at Ancestry/requires payment) coverage varies by county
- Wood County Obituaries Indexes 1841-1900 (from the Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library)

This is a list of the most recent additions. There are many more links for death records indexes at: Online Searchable Death Records Indexes and Obituaries

A new look for the AdMob logo

We�re making a few changes to the AdMob logo which you�ll see appearing on the AdMob website, UI and our social channels over the next few days. We�re introducing a larger font and a bolder design that makes it easier to see across devices of all different sizes. Check out the new logo below.

Posted by Mike Schipper
Product Marketing, AdMob

Signing up for AdSense is now faster and easier

We�ve made it easier and faster to apply for AdSense and get your account approved.

Starting today, you�ll have immediate access to your AdSense account once you sign up. Previously, when you applied for AdSense, you�d need to wait for your account information to be approved before you could access your account and place ad units on your site. Now you can create ad units and place them on your site right after signing up for AdSense.

To get started with AdSense:

1. Make sure your website is compliant with the AdSense program policies.
2. Sign up for an AdSense account by enrolling your site.
3. Add the AdSense ad code to your site.

It typically takes 48 hours for our specialists to complete the site review after you add the code to your site. Until you pass this review step, your ad units will remain blank. Once your site is approved, ads will be displayed on your site and you can start earning money from your content.

Learn more about the new application process in the AdSense Help Center. This new process is now in place for many countries and we're looking forward to even more publishers joining the AdSense family. Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Nikos Ioannou
AdSense Software Engineer

Boost your business with a Certified Publishing Partner

Today we�re excited to launch our new Certified Publishing Partner program.

Certified Publishing Partners are trained experts on AdSense, DoubleClick for Publishers, and DoubleClick Ad Exchange who could help you earn more from your sites while also saving you time. Whether you�re just starting out with ads, fine-tuning your existing ad setup or looking for brand new revenue sources, Certified Publishing Partners are ready to help you achieve your goals. They know how to make online ads work harder for you so you can spend more time creating and publishing your great content.

Get superior account management
Certified Publishing Partners are experts at account management services like:

• Full-service ad operations, implementation and testing
• Mobile, web, app and responsive design and development
• Content moderation 
• Video integration
• Monetization
• Ad customization

Feel confident

When you see the Certified Publishing Partner badge it means that a partner has been carefully vetted and meets Google's rigorous qualification standards. They have received high rankings in client satisfaction. They are, in short, a trusted business partner.

The Certified Partner Program is officially open for business today.  Learn more about the program and see a list of our partners. Then let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Updated post, 12/22/2015: 
The Google AdSense Certified Publisher (GASCP) program will be sunset on December 31, 2015. It will be replaced by the Google Certified Publishing Partner program. Partners accepted to our new program are trained experts on not only Google AdSense, but also DoubleClick Ad Exchange, and DoubleClick for Publishers.

For more information, visit our website or the GASCP Help Center.

Posted by Sahar Golestani

SMB Publishing Marketing Manager