I Love Pushing the Boundaries - So Is This Acceptable?

[Sam Freedom]

We all know that Google forbids people from
saying anything like "Click on these links, please"
or "Say thanks by checking out our sponsors" but
I specialize in finding workarounds to things like
that, so tell me if you think the following would
be acceptable:

"So...where would you like to go now?"
on a thank you page, followed by Adsense.

You're not telling them to click on anything,
and I agree it's a grey area, but go ahead and
let me know if you think it's a violation of their
aup or not.

Thanks,
Sam

[Joel Comm]

I think the phrase would be "interesting" to try. But you can't put Adsense on thank-you pages. That is definitely a violation of TOS.

Joel

[ImVickieB]

I don't know how different this is from the graphics drawing attention to the ads. An exteme example would be a blinking arrow pointing to it. Would google have a problem with that?

I thought that as long as you didn't say "click on the ads to support this site" or variations of that, it was okay. Would be interesting to find out.

If your site is basically on the straight and narrow already, I think if Google didn't like it, they would email. (I have gotten a letter from them before)

If in doubt, email and ask. I have done that too and gotten a, "that's fine" letter from them. Perhaps they keep files on the webmasters who ask before hand and will give a bit of leeway with something that is not acceptable instead of sending the letter of death.

Just my 2 cents :)

[Sam Freedom]

I think the phrase would be "interesting" to try. But you can't put Adsense on thank-you pages. That is definitely a violation of TOS.

Joel, that one comment is worth all the time spent here and more. I'll bet all people really don't read the TOS to completion. Taking your thoughtful reminder above, do you know what constitutes a "Thank you" page? For example, if someone signs up to my newsletter, and I redirect them to a page that doesn't actually thank them, but is perhaps an article about what they just signed up for, could that have Adsense on it?

Is it really the act of saying "Thank you for joining..." that sets off the red flag, or is it an implied assumption that "Thank You" pages tend to be void of content, or at least the kind of content Google might consider valuable? If so, you'd think a relevant article on the thank you page would cover your bases.

Thanks, Joel, look forward to your reply,
Sam :confused:

[Joel Comm]

Hey Sam,

Here is the exact wording from this page...

https://www.google.com/adsense/policies

"No Google ad may be placed on any non-content-based pages. This includes error, login, registration, "thank you" or welcome pages. "

To me, that means pages that only have "thank you... blah blah..." are disqualified. However, if you put content on the page that goes beyond mere thanks, I would think that it would be ok.

Joel, who hates reading terms and conditions as much as the next guy...

[Joel Comm]

I don't know how different this is from the graphics drawing attention to the ads. An exteme example would be a blinking arrow pointing to it. Would google have a problem with that?


Vickie,

I've already tried this, with "tried" being the operative word. Google did write me about it and I am doing it no longer. Drawing undue attention to your ads is a no-no!

Joel

[FILExt]

Drawing undue attention to your ads is a no-no!
So true. When I first started using Adsense I put the ads in a box that continuously slid down the page as the user scrolled. Basically, the ad always stayed at the top of the display. Lasted about three days -- but it did increase the revenue by about a factor of three while it lasted. :) After listening to some of the stories here I'm surprised (but very glad) I still have an account. Anyhow, it's been strictly play as exactly as possible by the rules since then.

[djcoffman]

I think you'd do better just saying something like "Push our Nads"

hahahaha

No, seriously, you don't want to toy with it too much, because Google will find you and ban you sooner or later.

[-bro-]

How does placing pictures above your ads not qualify as drawing undue attention? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for it and I'm doing it now...I've seen tremendous results and I'm happy to keep doing it. Just seems that it fits the qualification of undue attention.

[markp-r]

How does placing pictures above your ads not qualify as drawing undue attention? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for it and I'm doing it now...I've seen tremendous results and I'm happy to keep doing it. Just seems that it fits the qualification of undue attention.

You know -bro- I've wondered that very same question. I will admit when I first read about the technique I thought it was on the edge.

But, my situation is a little different than most peoples. I own a poster website, and adding thumbnails of our poster designs to my index page was a value to my visitors... and to my business as well. It lets visitors view a few samples of what I have to offer. So, I now feel that it indeed is an enhancement for my visitor... and not a blatant trick to try to get people to click the AdSense ads.

I will say that I absolutely do not want to be out of compliance with Googles TOS. I value my business, my AdSense income, and my reputation too much to try any tricks. It's just not worth it.

I'll appreciate any feedback from other forum members. What are your feelings? Is this just a trick... or within the intent of the Terms Of Service? Should I contact Google to ask their opinion?

[gjansen]

After reading this post, something popped into my mind ... we want people to take notice of our ads. Who else wants this goal? That's right, advertisers.

What are some tricks that advertisers use to 'grab attention'? In print they use strong headlines, graphics, etc. On TV, they use music, imagery, sound effects, etc.

In addition, what are some sticky things that people take notice of on web sites? Quotations, pictures of people's faces usually get noticed, sounds, games, animations (if done well), jokes, cartoons, horoscopes, etc.

So, with all this in mind, can you come up with some different ways to draw attention to your ads that are not a violation of the Adsense TOS? Maybe you have an Adlinks box on the top left. What if you put a box of the same size above it. Inside the box, put a quote or cartoon or eye ball grabbing headline that links to an article on your site. Or what about a scrolling News box that displays funny headlines (using Java or Flash).

The ideas are endless if you take some time to think them through.

Glen.

[Sam Freedom]

Not too long ago, someone wrote to me to tell me that my "Click to Share" referral button was too close to my Adsense. I mean, gosh, if that's considered a problem then how can any of this be fun? I mean, honestly, shouldn't it be fun? And here we are worrying about if a "refer a friend" button is too close to the Adsense?!?! lol!

Sam

[cmw4562]

So true. When I first started using Adsense I put the ads in a box that continuously slid down the page as the user scrolled. Basically, the ad always stayed at the top of the display. Lasted about three days -- but it did increase the revenue by about a factor of three while it lasted. :) After listening to some of the stories here I'm surprised (but very glad) I still have an account. Anyhow, it's been strictly play as exactly as possible by the rules since then.

Yeah, i too at one point ages ago utilized the "Google in a Box" and I liked it because the ads travel down the page and it freed up space on the page for other things.

But alas... Google TOS....

[Sam Freedom]

As far as "Thank you pages..." I think all you have to do is turn them into content to stay within TOS guidelines.

Mario, I hear you on this, but exactly what kind of
content could you possibly put on a Thank You page?
Usually, thank you pages just say the standard thank you
and then point to other opportunities. So what could
constitute as appropriate content for a Thank You page???

Anyone feel free to answer, please!

Thanks, Sam

[Sam Freedom]

Mario, you made it sound so simple.
Strange, I just never thought of adding
content to the thank you page, but you
know, that seems like the PERFECT place
to get people to click on Adsense because
people just want to download their stuff and
get out of there, not read some more...at least
that's what I think...so they click out on a catchy
ad...

Not bad...thanks!
SAm

[Sam Freedom]

Yeah, i too at one point ages ago utilized the "Google in a Box" and I liked it because the ads travel down the page and it freed up space on the page for other things.
But alas... Google TOS....I can't believe I missed this the first time around. Amazing Google even caught that, I wonder how! But anyways, can you tell me how that is done? I'd like to try it for other things.

Thanks,
Sam