This is something that we started testing late last week.  
 
We get quite a bit of traffic from Google on searches that have nothing to do with cards and invitations (party supplies for example) so we're testing some ways to possibly monetize this traffic.  
 
The number of clicks that these ads are getting is extremely low and we're working to remove sites that sell cards and invitations from the ad listings.  
 
Shaun

I have no data to base my opinion on, but I'd be worried about the impression those ads leave with serious regular shoppers.  When I first saw them, it was a turn-off.  It seemed to cheapen the site.
 
I think shoppers like coming to GCU so they can peacefully stay and shop.  The ads may not be getting clicked, but they are very distracting.
 
When people shop for cards, they are very focused, just like in a real card store.  Card buying is a serious emotional shopping situation, perhaps unique when it comes to shopping.  Shoving suggestions in front of them to leave and buy other things elsewhere borders on being rude and insulting.
 
These ads run the risk of having regular shoppers saying "I don't like to shop there anymore ... too many ads."

Greetings
 
Showing google ads below the card categories is a test we started last week.   We'll be watching it closely to see if it has any impact on our sales conversion and bounce rates.   So far we don't see any negative impact.   The additional ad revenues typically do not make up for lost card sales, so rest assured that if the numbers don't add up, we'll be discontinuing it.    
 
Btw, they're a lot more visible in cases where the category tree on the left is fairly short.
 

Quote from Tom_133317 on Feb 7^th, 2011, 2:59pm:

 
Greetings!
 
Very well stated, Tom.  Thanks!  I couldn't have said it better myself.
 
Penny