Myth: auto-placement beats manual every time

Myth: auto-placement beats manual every time
The convenience claim: "let the network place ads, it optimizes for you." Measured head-to-head, n=70 sites, 28d (A/B split):

— Auto placement RPM $15.20 ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮
— Manual + auto off RPM $18.90 ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮

Auto over-injects in low-attention zones (footer, between thin paragraphs), inflating impressions but tanking viewability to ~58%. Manual hit 79% by placing fewer, better.

So what: auto is a floor, not a ceiling. Hand-place your top 4 slots. ▲24% RPM manual.