Forum Moderators: martinibuster
However in order to utilize these features you must validate your adsense account in vbulletin's member area before you can download the version with adsense integration in it.
They confirm your adsense account by checking against your email address, your zip code, and the last 5 digits of the phone number on your adsense account.
This seems pretty fishy to me. I'm already using adsense on my forum. Why does vbulletin or adsense need to know specifically that I'm using the two together?
I just don't understand the need for verifying this. Obviously, adsense felt like it was necessary and would benefit them in some way or another to know right?
Any thoughts or ideas on this?
I just don't understand the need for verifying this.
It's very fishy indeed and I would never give sensitive info from my Adsense account to a third party. Sounds like they're using this opportunity to gather information from their user base in a rather unethical way. Or maybe they have other security related reasons, but unless they make them clear, you have to assume the worst.
Yes, Google has a referral program, which we belong to, but the referral revenue is relatively small and not the primary reason for adding the AdSense option.
What data can Jelsoft/Internet Brands see, and how are they used?We understand the sensitivity around the privacy aspects. In this current AdSense/vBulletin 3.8 integration, Jelsoft/Internet Brands are interested in Google's reporting so that we can track the overall performance of the program. We will track aggregate information on page views and the overall number of sites that have achieved the revenue levels required to trigger Google bounty payments.
I'm not sure a link is allowed, but I'm sure you'll find it.
Eh?
...Jelsoft/Internet Brands are interested in Google's reporting so that we can track the overall performance of the program. We will track aggregate information on page views and the overall number of sites that have achieved...
Call me paranoid, skeptical or whatever, but I'd avoid this like the plague.
FarmBoy
