People have been asking me three questions about the AdSense program, and their new terms of service and AdSense support team have now clarified all of these issues.
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Question 1) Does Google allow other ads to run on the same page as AdSense Ads?
Answer 1) The official word is a qualified "yes".
You may not run ads that are designed to resemble AdSense ads. For example, Yahoo! Publisher Network ads look very similar to AdSense ads. While you can run YPN on your site, they may not appear on the same PAGES as AdSense ads.
However, contextual ads like those provided by Kontera, Intellitxt, Amazon and Chitika ARE allowed on the same pages as your AdSense ads!
While not the exact answer we were hoping for, this does clarify for us and opens many new options for publishers wishing to use others advertisements on their pages.
I have made a good deal of income with Kontera and Chitika, and am very glad to see that we may all apply for their programs and implement them on our pages without fear of losing our AdSense accounts.
Incidentally, I have written the ONLY book on making money with Kontera and am pleased to offer it to you today as a discount to celebrate this clarification from Google!
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Question 2) Google's recent "images next to ads" policy is confusing. Could you please clarify so all publishers know what is and what is not allowed?
Answer 2) Google prefers that publishers avoid images that are lined up directly next to the ads so that it appears each ad is associated with an image. If the dimensions of the image are completely different than the dimensions of the ads, that's okay.
But if it appears to the user that the image is at all associated with the ads, that would be in violation of AdSense terms of service.
The general idea is Google does not want visitors clicking on ads because they have been deceived in believing the image is associated with the ad.
That leaves a lot of room for creative design, and it also means that AdSense graphic backgrounds and visual frames are within terms of service.
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Question 3) I occasionally see ads are actually placed by Google. Do publishers receive payment when those ads are clicked?
Answer 3) Yes! Whenever you see an ad for a Google service, Google is paying the publisher for that ad just as they would for any other ad. They are bidding in the auction and the publisher will be paid according to those bids.
This is also good news for those who wondered if Google was attempting to score a "free ride" by placing their own ads on the network.
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I am very encouraged by these clarifications in AdSense policy. I don't like being in the dark as to the terms of service and neither should you.
I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities to apply for Kontera and Chitika so you may generate additional revenue streams. Here are links to make signup easier.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 18, 2007 04:17 PM
Joel:
This news is in direct contrast to an e-mail I received from Google. Do you know if this is an actual policy change, or?
Here's what they told me. I extracted only the relevant part from the e-mail they sent.
"According to our program policies, Kontera.com's Content Links may not be
displayed on the same page as Google ads on your site. However, you are
welcome to display those ads on pages of your site that do not include
Google ads. "
Chuck
January 18, 2007 04:20 PM
Kontera's acceptance policy requires minimum 500,000 page impression per month. How can we with new websites (based on your templates) qualify for this??
January 18, 2007 05:32 PM
I recieved the following from The Google AdSense Team on 11the January 2007 and seems the opposite of your comments re images:
Hello Mike,
I've received your email from Mamei, and I'll be happy to help answer your question. I understand you'd like clarification on our policy regarding images next to ads.
We ask specifically that publishers not place images next to ads
a) that may appear to be directly associated with an advertiser or the advertisers offerings
and
b) that draw excessive attention to the ads being displayed. While we may find ad code implementations that have images near ads in some manner which are not in violation of our program policies, we strong
discourage placing images near ad units.
The first issue mentioned above, a), applies specifically to placing images near ad units in a manner that may line them up with individual ads. Users may then expect the destination of the ad to have something to do with the image.
This may cause users to click on the ads when they are interested in items relating to the images, which will artificially drive up advertiser costs. To protect our advertisers, we ask that publishers not place any images of any kind next to ads in this manner.
The second issue mentioned above, b), applies to images that point at, look at, flash brightly, or otherwise draw excessive attention to ad units. Our program policies prohibit the use of symbols or images that direct attention to the ads on publishers' sites.
I hope that helps to answer your question.
Sincerely,
Sandor
The Google AdSense Team
Unless you read or know differently...
Rgds
Mike
January 18, 2007 05:40 PM
thanks Joel, I wasn't sure
what Google ment by simular
ads regarding AdSense.
Thanks!
Gene
PS: sorry about the live plug for SC during your call.
January 18, 2007 06:28 PM
It's about time google cracked down on publishers. It's disgraisful that people try to hide their adverts within their web pages so it appears to be part of the website.
It's no wonder there is so much talk of click fraud. Whilst I don't doubt there is a lot of real click fraud I suspect a lot of what is considered click fraud is people clicking on what they think are links and finding they were ads and they would then close the page or click "Back" to return to where they were.
Advertisers are paying out fortunes to people who cheat in this way.
January 19, 2007 06:30 AM
Hi..Joel,
What is your advise if someone taking up Adsense as a professional business and wants to earn good money ?
August 15, 2007 02:29 AM
Hi Joel. Can I get a hardcopy of the books you sell instead of ebook? I would prefer to the touch and look of a real book for your great products. Thanks.
August 2, 2008 12:07 PM
Hello Mr Joel ..many many thanks! Really it's a most imfortant part of adsense business. i like these tips....
my business site: www.eeedirectory.com
September 27, 2008 07:24 AM
I'm a keen advocator of your services, and... by chance I've come across this page looking for other information. It clears up a few question marks. Thanks again
Andy
May 20, 2009 07:34 PM
Hi, me too have an AdSense Breaking News site www.squirob.com :)