phpBB and Google Adsense?

Can Google Adsense ads be run on a phpBB forum?

[ControlEngineer]

I am asking the question here rather than the Adsense topic because I am more interested in the technical capabilities rather than the G rules or the business questions:

Can I place Google Adsense ads on a phpBB forum that I might host on my site? Are there technical problems or limitations?

[ogletree]

Try this [google.com]

[encyclo]

Yes many sites running phpBB also run AdSense without problems: just edit the appropriate template files to add the code to each page.

You should however bear in mind that the Mediapartners bot has to be able to read the page to be able to serve ads in context, so it won't work on private forums where you are required to log in. Also, don't forget that regular forum users are less likely to click on ads than for a normal site, so your earnings might not be as high as you might expect.

[rogerd]

No technical problems, just be prepared for low CTR.

[jasonlambert]

The first tutorial in the first SERP's is incorrect. You cannot actually place ads in overall_footer.tpl as you would be in violation of the Adsense TOS (the part about no ads on login or search results pages).

You can put adsense ad code in these template files:
viewforum_body.tpl (viewforum.php?f=XXX)
viewtopic_body.tpl (viewtopic?t=XXX)
forum_index.tpl (index.php)
That is the only real limitation.

Of course you must allow G to spider the site so if your forum disallows anyone from *READING* the posts without logging in your going to get problems.

With some smart placement you can get a reasonable CTR.

[buksida]

Interesting last post, I have mine in the footer file, didn't know it was against TOS. Also I have a shockingly low CTR for the board.

Where would you suggest placement for better CTR?

[flood6]

I just wanted to point out that you can have AdSense on your search result pages, but Jason was correct when he said that it is still against the rules to have it on login, registration, or "welcome" pages.

[jasonlambert]

Where would you suggest placement for better CTR?

viewtopic.tpl:
- after the 1st post in a thread. You will have to do a code hack to get that to work properly. (warning: may annoy your users.. use with caution)
- after the last post in a thread, but before the "post reply" button

viewforum.tpl:
Im running my adsense on the right hand side of the page, i havent experimented with other locations.

index_body.tpl:
End of forums listing. You could also try on the right hand side, (or the left hand side for higher CTR).

I just wanted to point out that you can have AdSense on your search result pages

Oops.. looks like i made a mistake on that one. just checked the TOS and couldnt see what gave me that idea originally.

[flood6]

Oops.. looks like i made a mistake on that one. just checked the TOS and couldnt see what gave me that idea originally.

It was like that until a few months ago, they changed it.

[buksida]

good stuff. have now moved the code to the viewtopic template, just above the reply button. hopefully we'll see some increased CTR.

[Allie_Mae]

I have included adsense in my overall_footer.tpl file. The forum has been up and running for over a year now with no problems. I remember emailing Google as to wether or not it was ok, and they commented that they are watching everything very carefully and would alert me to any violations. To date I have received nothing saying it is against their TOS. And all my payments have been approved without a problem.

[dauction]

The only concern I have about adding adsense to my forums are people that dont agree with you (people you warn .people you ban , and the other idiots that only post to cause trouble) clicking away trying to get you banned.. .

Valid concern?

compared to a static products or informational site with adsense on it

[Marketing Guy]

If you are concerned about specific people possibly getting you banned, then contact Adsense support and let them know.

Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. If it was that easy to get people banned then lots of people would be doing it.

Scott

[Tapolyai]

Or you could just put a conditional into the .tpl so the add does not show in non-approved pages...

[rogerd]

I wouldn't expect disgruntled members to click your ads like crazy. If they were smart enough to think you might get in trouble with Google, they are smart enough to know every click would put money in your pocket.

[gdrumm]

I'm using AdSense and getting good ads running and my forum is brand new. I didn't use the overall_footer.tpl file to place the ads though. Instead, I have it in the overall_hearder.tpl. This way the ads show up on every page and they appear to be running smoothly.

[chullanz]

Some Errors that might just SURPRISE you later...for all those forum starters..!

1.Placing it in the overall_header/footer.tpl
--If you have placed the ad in the overall_footer it may seem to be no okai..but donot expect G to notify you that "Sir..u are violating the TOS..Please chage it".U may get a thunderbolt on ur head when the disapprove you.For those of u who slithered away...U ARE LUCKY!

2.Bad Content on Ads
--You might just not get the right ads you want on your pages.It might possibly give you some ads on "Moderators....Posts " and those stuff...cos the real content of ur site is allmost hard to trace out for G(Not any intentional disgrace to G! Pls)

3.Overlapping of Ads
-- If for some weird reason u thought that the ads arent rightly placed and u put them on your index.php as per the TOS on the top part.Damn ure making a mistake...cos then there appears your overall header.tpl and ur index.php with the ads...A clean disapproval would be the result.

Im an unfortunate fella who was trying all these in my forum(unknkowingly put ads on overall footer and index-2 making it 3 ads)...(also i prompted my members to click ads).and simply got disapproved without any notice from G.

Cheers to all ma bros..!