Forum Moderators: martinibuster
will google punish me?
*EDIT Services replaced with Conditions
[edited by: marcel at 5:03 pm (utc) on Dec. 22, 2008]
what is the Terms do you refer to?
Go over to Google AdSense and click on Program Policies. Look under the section titled "Encouraging Clicks"
FarmBoy
will google punish me?
Yes, don't even ask...!
When someone applies to become a publisher, give them a quick & easy 10 questions with multiple-choice answers quiz on the program policies. 70% correct is required to become a publisher.
I imagine it would take someone about 1 hour to develop this quiz and would save countless hours of future support time.
FarmBoy
Probably it's too simple idea for G - because it doesn't involve mindlessly big data-centers or mystical regularly self-failing algos, and it would actually give information to Adsense-publishers (unheard of) ;-)
After all, to get a learner's permit when we are learning to drive, we have to take a MC test. Why not for AdSense?
Go over to Google AdSense and click on Program Policies. Look under the section titled "Encouraging Clicks"FarmBoy
I have thought about such things at times, but all I can see on Google's TOS is ...
May not encourage users to click the Google ads by using phrases such as "click the ads," "support us," "visit these links," or other similar language
May not direct user attention to the ads via arrows or other graphical gimmicks
May not place misleading images alongside individual ads
May not promote sites displaying ads through unsolicited mass emails or unwanted advertisements on third-party websites
May not compensate users for viewing ads or performing searches, or promise compensation to a third party for such behavior
May not place misleading labels above Google ad units - for instance, ads may be labeled "Sponsored Links" but not "Favorite Sites"
From what I can see from the OP was that he/she wanted to have was...
"SBA Spotlight Highlights of SBA Programs & Services"
[s]he did say it was a sentence rather than a H* tag, and I think it all depends on how it is done. (ie, not made to look like part of the content and therefore trying to fool someone)
But, saying that, I would avoid such things.
However, in a galaxy far far away, I was surfing away one night when I came across a site that was using two link units in the navigational menu, which I thought was a bit cheeky.
And to top it all, it was a site about "red wigets" and above each of these link units was "red wigets sponsored links"
Red wigets of course being their keywords.
Another site I spotted had "A word from our sponsors".
I cannot find anything in the TOS to directly say they are breaking it.
I am with the camp of people who think that you should have nothing whatsoever above them. You already have "ads by google"
But there is one thing that does bother me.
Why can we not have something about google search ?
"Can't find what you are looking for ? Try our search."
What's wrong with that ? It's not encouraging people to click an advert etc.
Again, I cannot find anything in the TOS about it, and you never get a useful reply from support.
Set yourself up as a consulting firm and offer your services for fees in six figures. That way they will take the suggestion seriously.
Well, I'll need an agent if you're interested.
And we'll also have to give it a fancy name to have them take us seriously. How about:
"Google AdSense Discombogulator", or GAD for short.
I can see the threads now. Someone applies to AdSense, passes the test, becomes a publisher and starts a thread, "I've been Gadded! Whoopee!"
FarmBoy
May not place misleading labels above Google ad units - for instance, ads may be labeled "Sponsored Links" but not "Favorite Sites"
Way back in the stone ages, about 2003 or 2004, I had a site with a column and the word "Resources" at the top of the column. Under "Resources" I had a few links and then under that a skyscraper AdSense display.
At some point, I removed the links for some reason and the result was the skyscraper ad under the word "Resources." Google sent me an email and asked that I remove it. They told me I could remove it completely or replace it with "Sponsored Links"
It was the only time Google has ever slapped my hand and it was back in those gloriously profitable days of innocence.
I've always understood that text in their Terms to essentially mean, "Look, we can't list every possible example of text someone might put above an AdSense display. Just suffice it to say that "Sponsored Links" is OK and don't push they issue beyond that pal."
Why can we not have something about google search ? "Can't find what you are looking for ? Try our search." What's wrong with that ? It's not encouraging people to click an advert etc.
This was discussed here a couple of years ago. I remember a site that earned an award from AdSense and the publisher had text above the search box similar to what you wrote above. Based on that, some assumed that it was OK to draw attention to search boxes. I was one of them.
Of course it's always dangerous to assume things about AdSense. And based on things I've read, it can also be dangerous to ask for clarification instead of assuming.
So who knows? Maybe ASA might clarify that - although I have a hunch they won't want to address it directly for obvious reasons.
Tread carefully.
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Added by FarmBoy: Just in case what seems obvious to me isn't obvious to others, the reason I doubt they will address it directly is they know if they give an inch, someone will take a mile.
It wouldn't be long before people will be publishing pages with nothing but a search box and text like:
"Use the box below to search for "cancer lawyer" and you might be our next lucky winner of a new car and a date with netmeg!"
FarmBoy
FarmBoy: Give yourself a Christmas pressy out of Petty Cash.
Why not? All the big time Wall St. scammers are celebrating a huge Christmas, why not us great unwashed masses?
and a date with netmeg!
Sweet.
i find that you all R warm-heartedness
Oh you'll revise that statement in no time. But that's why I like it here. No BS. If you slip, people way more intelligent than you will point it out in a jiffy.
FarmBoy: Give yourself a Christmas pressy out of Petty Cash.Why not? All the big time Wall St. scammers are celebrating a huge Christmas, why not us great unwashed masses?
I was hoping for a personal bailout from Congress.
FarmBoy
