What are AMP Pages and how to use them?

Modern Internet users value their time. According to Google statistics , if a web page loads in 3 seconds instead of 1, the number of bounces increases by about 32%, and if the indicator increases to 6 seconds, by 106%. AMP technology is used to reduce loading time. We tell you what it is and how to install a fast loading page .

What is AMP and why you need it

The abbreviation AMP stands for Accelerated Mobile Pages – Open Source Accelerated Mobile Pages. This is a modified HTML code with elements for fast content loading. So, instead of the <img> tag for images, <img-amp> is used. A similar replacement is provided for video.

Website performance is reduced due to the large number of graphic and animation elements, such as 3D visualizations, videos. Such files are often placed on the websites of travel companies, real estate agencies and the provision of design services to illustrate the offer. AMP technology solves the problem of user waiting – it loads an analogue of a full page in a split second.

AMP HTML file can be used both separately and in combination with the standard version of the page. The second way is preferable.

Technology features:

accelerated data visualization due to the AMP JS library;
using Google AMP Cache to load the page;
lack of access to some JavaScript scripts;
use CSS3 without restrictions;
ban on inline (prescribed in the code itself) styles.

Pros and cons

Implementing AMP provides a number of useful benefits. Consider the main advantages:

accelerated loading – up to 1 second on average, which is 15-85% faster than opening a regular page;
user retention (the visitor is more likely to stay on the resource);
high conversion compared to the mobile version of the site;
rating indicators are higher than those of sites with regular pages;
reducing the load on servers (including by storing data on the Google server).
Disadvantages of AMP:

in terms of functionality, AMP pages are inferior to regular ones;
navigation, sidebar, other useful blocks are not available;
fewer design options are provided;
The tracking code must be manually added to each AMP page.

Who Suits
Accelerated pages are designed for Internet surfers from smartphones and tablets. The technology allows you to view the content of the site without clicking on the link.

AMP pages are especially useful for content platforms such as news portals, blogs, and educational projects. The technology is recommended to be used by information resources that receive income from advertising. If you have an online store with a catalog, you can show product cards in AMP.

The technology makes it possible to reach the top positions in the search results. Pages with AMP-HTML markup are more likely to appear in the Google news block, which is useful for expanding your reach.

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How AMP Pages Work
The principle of operation of the technology is based on the use of special tags. Google finds AMP tags and caches the data placed in them. When entering a query in the search bar, the browser loads information from the Google CDN into an iframe, after which the page is displayed in a special window. In Yandex, AMP is not available.

Fast data loading is performed thanks to the following elements:

AMP HTML is actually modified HTML5. Contains special tags for faster content loading.
AMP JS is a library that provides access to AMP tags.
Google AMP Cache is a geographically distributed network infrastructure that uses proxy servers. Provides caching for AMP pages. Content is loaded from the nearest source.
Features of interaction with website visitors:

the content is displayed without going to the site – in the search results;
page turning is available, as in a slider (“carousel”).
The article card that appears in the search results has a special icon.

How to install AMP

The problem is solved with the help of plugins. All of them are installed in approximately the same way, the main difference lies in the extensions used.

On WordPress
Installation is carried out in 2 stages:

download and run the AMP Plugin ;
check the correctness of the code – for this, use the AMP validator .
Then you can improve the page design with AMP for WP , the same tool is suitable for adding additional options in the plugin’s admin panel.

Key Features:

The logo is edited in the General tab. The default image size is 190×36 Px. Use the Custom Logo Size feature to change it.
The front page is assigned using the Front Page option.
To play static pages, use the AMP on Pages option (“on” position).
Statistics are connected through Google Analytics . Enter the page ID in the field provided for this.
Design elements are edited using the Launch Post Builder function. It allows you to manage information blocks and choose colors – background, font, and other design elements.
Custom styles are added in the Design Selector section.
To optimize pages, install the Yoast SEO add-on.
With the AMP plugin, you can set up ads. Go to the Advertisement section and specify the location of the ad units and their characteristics.

Other useful features:

recommended content;
connection of buttons of social networks, Disqus, notifications.
To allow users to navigate to the full version of the page, set up Non-AMP buttons for the logo and footer.

On Drupal
For this CMS one plugin is indispensable. You will need a triple set:

module ;
topic ;
HTML Library .
The AMP pages module works in conjunction with the Chaos Tools (content management) add-on and Token . If you want to monetize a resource, use the Google AdSense Integration to publish AdSense ads.

Choose a theme, track statistics, display content, and other settings in the AMP Configuration section. Install an AMP pixel to track views. As for sites on WP, a connection to Google Analytics is provided.

On Joomla!
AMP pages for Joomla! created using wbAMP . The plugin is paid, the cost of the full version is 44 USD. In the free version, the functionality is limited, only basic characteristics can be configured.

Specify basic information about the resource: name, owner. There are two main options for microdata:

for news — NewsArticle;
for articles — BlogPosting.
Use the Select Pages tab to specify which pages to use AMP to display.

An alternative way to implement AMP technology on Joomla! – JAmp addition . This is a paid component, the cost is 39€.

On OpenCart, Magento, PrestaShop
To create accelerated pages on Opencart, download the Accelerated Mobile Pages add-on . The parameters for displaying information on sites are configured in much the same way as in other CMS.

For Magento, download the Accelerated Mobile Pages extension . It will provide a quick display of the contents of the main, product cards and categories.

To work with Prestashop, use PrestaShop AMP .

How to implement AMP manually

There are no AMP implementation plugins for self-written CMS – you need to add the code yourself. Sequencing:

Creation of AMP templates. Styles are specified using the style amp-custom tag (up to 50 kB). The sizes of images, including animated ones, are indicated inside the HTML document. Use CSS @font-face to load fonts. Choose options from the AMP JS library – custom scripts are not supported by the technology. Disable dynamic elements.
Template scaling. It is performed manually or automatically.
Analytics setup. Track statistics with amp-pixel or amp-analytics.
Checking the validity of the code. Use the AMP Test tool .
To display animated objects, modals, and some other traditionally scripted features, use iframes and components from AMP JS. They allow you to display sliders, forms, ad units, side menus.

Examples of using
The first to evaluate AMP technology were news portals – The New York Times, lenta.ru and others. Some publications have gone further and started using AMP pages as an alternative to the mobile version of the site.

Initially, online stores did not use AMP due to the lack of filters and a shopping cart. The pioneer was the British company ASDA Walmart, which launched more than 250,000 accelerated mobile pages. In Russia, the accelerated download technology was successfully implemented by the Citilink online store and increased conversion by 33%.

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Conclusion
AMP stands for Accelerated Mobile Pages. They make it possible to significantly reduce the loading time of content and reduce the number of bounces. Features of AMP pages :

viewing content in the search results without visiting the site;
high positions in the ranking of search engines;
a large number of views (partially due to the AMP carousel);
limited functionality, simple visual effects.
AMP pages are indispensable in the process of optimizing information sites. For e-commerce, partial implementation is preferable, for example, only for product cards. AMP pages are created using extensions (for CMS) or by adding code manually (for self-written engines).

What is “Google AdSense” and how we can start working with it?

Google AdSense is a contextual advertising system with a larger “whole world” coverage of the target audience. Using this service, owners of information sites, blogs and other resources can place ad blocks on their pages. Adsense pays commission to webmasters for clicks on ads or for displaying banners.

AdSense advertising is often used by news portals, as well as informational sites and blogs. For their owners, placing text and display ads is becoming the main source of income. Commercial resources, for obvious reasons, try to advertise less third-party offers. Any promo distracts the attention of the target audience and reduces the conversion rate of the selling page.

How to start monetization with Google Adsense?

To enable the site monetization, you need to register with the program but before that, check your website or resource meets the requirements of the AdSense advertising system. Google recommends carefully reviewing the usability and quality of content to avoid future penalties or exclusion from the program.

You will not be able to connect Google AdSense if the following types of content are used on the site:

Materials of a pornographic and/or erotic nature;

Propaganda of violence, discrimination based on nationality, gender, religion and other offensive content;

Advertising and / or promotion of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products and other prohibited substances;

Pharmaceutical and medical content, which includes the sale of dietary supplements, prescription drugs, dietary supplements and other medicines. Exceptions in this niche are sites with informational introductory content to educate visitors;

Advertising of gambling, casinos and bookmakers;

Content that promotes the distribution of counterfeit goods, software, hacking training, viral mailings, and other illegal content.

Google Adsense makes quite an extensive list of requirements for website content. You can get acquainted with the full list on the official page of the service. AdSense is also scrupulous about the usefulness and uniqueness of content. Copy-paste and uninformative texts will not work.

Ease of navigation is a parameter that is closely monitored by the system. If visitors spend a minimum of time accessing information, then such a site is highly rated in AdSense. Future partners will find up-to-date recommendations for optimizing their resources in the official service manual.

How to Register with Google Adesense:

Go the main page of Google Adsense and click on “Register” button. A window will open where you need to fill in a simple form of two fields: webmaster’s e-mail and site URL.

Agree or refuse the mailing list and click “Save and continue”. In the next window, you can link your account to another Gmail mailbox, select a country and read / agree to the terms of use of the service. Then click “Create an account”.

Fill in the billing address to receive rewards for clicks / impressions of ad units. First, choose the type of account: “Business” – for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities, or “Personal” – for individuals, respectively. For a company, it is necessary to indicate the actual or legal address, and for the owners of personal accounts – a residence permit.

The next step is ad code generation. The service will automatically create a special script that must be placed on the main page between the code tags. After making changes, check the “Code added” checkbox and click “Finish”.

Verification takes an average of 36-48 hours. If the checkbox “Start showing ads after account activation” is checked, then ads will run immediately after the site is checked. By activating your account, you can add your own ad units or connect the automated creation and display of ads by the service.

How to Earn Money with Google Adsense?

Earning from showing ads are accrued to webmasters with a completed and verified payment profile, up-to-date tax information, full name and address of the recipient. Several withdrawal options are available: bank transfer etc. A public way in all countries of the world is to withdraw money to a bank account.

Earnings are accrued from the 21st to the 26th of every month. You can withdraw money from the balance only after the accumulation of the threshold amount. If there are not enough funds to withdraw, then the payments are transferred to the next billing period.

Types of ads in Google AdSense

The system offers the webmasters different type of ad formats:

• Text and display ads – blocks are formed from several ads with text and/or graphic content. They can have standard sizes, and adapt to the page layout.
• Native ads are placed in articles, featured content blocks, or the news feed. The main difference of this format is in the organic adjustment to the style and theme of the site.
• Links are adaptive or building blocks with lists of topics similar to the content of the resource.
• Special blocks – are manually configured by the site owner, taking into account the style, theme and recommended sizes. An individual format is created and configured in the “New ad unit” section, where the type and size of the ad are indicated. The service generates a code that needs to be inserted into the allocated space on the page. The show will start 10-15 minutes after posting.

Pros and Cons of working with AdSense

The benefits of Google contextual advertising service include:

• A simple start is to connect a news, information resource with attendance from 500 people per day really in one day. If the content and usability meet the requirements, then after 24 hours you can earn advertising revenue.
• Serious global brands use Adsense to promote their products, which means that the ROI of contextual ads is high.
• Choice of ad block formats, manual adjustment.
• High pay per click/impression.
• Withdrawal of money to a bank account.

Disadvantages of Adsense Advertising system are as follows:

• The threshold amount is $100. It is difficult for an unpromoted resource to immediately reach this bar.
• Slow and not always responsive support. It is easier to find an answer on a thematic forum on the Internet than with the official Adsense support.
• Peremptory blocking of accounts. It is almost impossible to restore an account suspected of illegal actions. For Google, a webmaster’s reputation should be whiter than snow on alpine peaks.

Summary

We have learned what Google AdSense is. We found out what requirements the service imposes on partner sites, how to register in the system and receive income. We also got acquainted with the types of ad units as well as the advantages and disadvantages of Adsense.