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Has this issue come up, could it be a problem?
Thanks!
Why do you think it could be a problem?
And I would not advise to do as Yidaka suggested. If the same editor looks at the site again some time later, and sees you added a lot of ads to the site, he might reconsider, asking himself if you tried to trick him.
Not what i suggested. Didn't speak about a lot of ads ... to trick editor.
In case of AdSense - which is something new, about which we don't know a odp editor's pov - it might be one possibilty to minimize risk of getting refused. Sure, if the submitted site doesn't offer the content that makes it worth to get listed at dmoz, even removing AdSense wouldn't help. But this wasn't the question, right!?
<added>
A bit more explanation: i don't call this tricking - as long as the main purpose of the site isn't to run AdSense or other ads. Actually that's how i work with new sites: first i create the site design, then build a valuable portion of the content i want to offer at my sites. The next step is some initial promotion and submission to directories and such - all done before i put any ads or affiliates on the site.
Reasons are:
1) At the beginning there's often not much traffic to make any significant income through ads - so why disturb your first visitors?
2) If i do the initial promotion, i want to make it as easy as possible for editors and visitors to see what this new site has to offer. The first impression shouldn't get dilluted by ads.
3) As the reputation of the site increases, a visitors base grows and the site gets accepted as a new valuable site by the visitors, its much easier to put targeted adsvertising at the page without disturbing people.
It's like washing your car before you sell it. If washing is not enough and you just do it to hide the lacks, you'll likely get some problems with the buyer.
Allthough i appreciate a odp listing for all the new sites i build, i don't bother if a site gets listed or not. The odp doesn't owe me anything. If they think i tricked them, i have to live with it. ;)
Thanks,
SN
The editor should mentally block out the AdSense stuff, and review the remaining content. I would think the AdSense stuff shouldn't be an issue so long as it isn't most of the site content.
That's true, but the trickle (soon to be a flood) of ersatz "content sites" that were created as AdSense vehicles may lead some ODP editors to be suspicious of sites with AdSense ads--just as some ODP editors are suspicious of sites with affiliate links. Because of this, sites with AdSense ads may be judged by tougher standards than sites without advertising.
IMO that is the most likely situation, whatever the guidelines to editors say ;(
If the site is already running banners and other forms of advertising, the addition of AdSense might sway the editor not to list the site if it simply becomes overwhelemed with ads.
Zeal might be another issue entirely. One affiliate link can get a page rejected, who knows how AdSense would be judged.
Really?!
I've seen sites out there in this and somewhat related type sectors that are literally banner farms on the homepage - not advertising as such, but webring banners & links, reciprocal linking and banner exchanges. Sometimes 10 or 12+, though they're not there to generate revenue from ads, just traffic. Sometimes even on interior product pages.
That isn't technically commercial, but it sure doesn't look that much different. To me that *looks* more commercial than AdSense does with a simple one-spot text, which is actually sending people off to competitors, but in a way is giving them added selection. That seems less commercial in terms of sheer volume than a dozen banner exchanges. All to their own taste. ;)
This category group has an active editor, in fact it looks like another one was added on. So it might not take too long either way, though if it's not included there wouldn't necessarily be *one* reason and there's no way to know how it appears.
>>ersatz "content sites" that were created as AdSense vehicles may lead some ODP editors to be suspicious of sites with AdSense ads
Shopping categories are pretty clear-cut in purpose. On sites submitted there the primary content is stuff that's for sale, and basically that's what visitors are there to do, they're looking to buy. There can be additional unique informational content, but that's not the raison d'etre for ecom sites, they're there to sell merchandise. If people want a lot of advice they go to Martha Stewart - who also sells stuff. :)
Added:
Actually, I'm wondering if the presence of AdSense makes the purpose and intentions of a site look different.
Purpose and intention? Don't know. But i have the strong feeling that the fact (and the claim) Ads from Google gives a site a somewhat "good reputation". Its subjective though and prob not lasting forever.
Typical AdSense links fall within the standard banner format which isn't the sort of thing that causes much of a problem.. the affiliate link thing happens when the affiliate links are a substitute for real content. The design of the AdSense ads makes them pretty peripheral to the content, i.e. the standard 468x60 or skyscraper formats, and since you're only allowed one per page it's not likely to be a banner farm assuming you have real, genuine content.
