suidas - 10:42 pm on Jun 24, 2005 (gmt 0)

Let me add this story. I found a site on "fantasy widgets." The page had a block of text: "This website offers the best ideas and prices. For example if you are looking for 'Fantasy widgets', you'll find the top 'fantasy widgets' resource right here," etc. etc. for three paragraphs using the term "fantasy widgets" over and over again, with no links except one to "an add to favorites." Next to this paragraph was a big blue arrow, pointing at an Adsense block.

I complained to Google about it. I got a form letter back. Now I look at the site and they've made changes. The text is the same, but the arrow has been changed to three big blue dots. The Adsense ad is still there. The page still has no content and is by any reading of the TOS and webmaster rules completely abusive.

Normally when someone complains that a site is still showing Adsense ads, I give Google the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they're never going to pay the guy, in which case, good for them for screwing the spammer.

I don't see how to give Google the benefit of the doubt here. As I reconstruct it, Google responded to the issue by asking the guy to remove the arrow, without asking for any other changes. He did so, but the site still has no actual *content*.