New AdSense Policies Time - November 3, 2005

Remember you must be in compliance

[Jenstar]

We have always commented here that when AdSense is down or there is login problems, it often means there is a change in either AdSense or AdWords. And sure enough, we have a brand new Google AdSense Policies [google.com] available.

So, it is updated Google AdSense Policies time - although the new policies are dated October 25, 2005, they didn't go live until about 9pm PST on November 3, 2005. Don't forget that when you agreed to the terms, you agreed to comply to the policies, even when they changed. So make sure you are in compliance!

Ad Placement

The following has been added:
A single referral button per product may be placed on a page, in addition to the ad units, search boxes, and link units specified above. Referral buttons are considered to be ‘Google ads’ for purposes of these program policies.

Code Modification

The part in bold has been added to the following:

Any AdSense ad code, search box code, or referral code must be pasted directly into Web pages without modification.

Incentives

Some of this section has been reworded to include "referral buttons", and the following has been added:

Publishers are also not permitted to use deceptive or unnatural means to draw attention to or incite clicks on referral buttons.

Language

Warning to those using AdSense on pages in unsupported languages. Previously, AdSense would allow ads to be run on unsupported language pages although stating ads would likely be untargeted or heavy on PSAs. However, a change in the new policies now prohibits this by publishers. Added to the language clause:

Ads must not be displayed on any page with content primarily in an unsupported language.

Prohibited clicks and impressions

A very small change was made to this section, detailing activity publishers are not permitted to participate in. Previously, one of the prohibited activities was "automated click- and impression- generating clicking tools" but now reads "automated click and impression generating tools".

When you login, you will notice a small change if you really pay attention. When you login, you will notice the login box switches to a red text "Loading..." message before loading the main control panel page within the account. This is similar to what happens when you login to AdWords accounts.

Now for the question everyone is asking, just what are these referral buttons the new policies refers to? Well, unfortunately, you have to wait ;) But I do promise the full scoop very soon!

[LeoXIV]

that was fast Jenstar.

hhhm guess i have missed the updates or its late night, what is a 'referral button'?!

[humblebeginnings]

Thanks for the update Jen.
By the way, what is a 'referral button'?;-P

[Mentat]

We want 'referral button'! ;)

[incrediBILL]

I'll bet the REFERRAL button is the topic of the 'SECRET' Google Lunch @ Pubcon

[AlexPAlex]

A single referral button per product may be placed on a page

So referral button is related to products...
Froogle...Chitika... kind of ...Any guesses...?

[garyr_h]

I must be very narrow minded... When I read through the posts I kept thinking perhaps the refferal button would just be used to refer users to use Adsense. I didn't think of all the other possibilities it could be.

However, it's probably going to be amazonish. Perhaps adwords people will now be able to sell certain products and give a referral fee instead of paying per click. Or it may just be with froogle. Can't wait either way... I have something I would like to test this on..

[blairsp]

my guess would be refer an adwords advertisers and the publisher gets a cut or alternatively if you refer a new publisher you will get a cut. Anyhting else woudl be a huge disappointment (well to people who can still get an adsense account that is)

[frox]

May I ask what is a referral button?

My guess is that when you refer some webmaster to Adsense and he joins, you get a share of the incomes ...

Yet another incentive to have people join on their name, on their brother's name, on their pet's name ...

[yoyo8]

Maybe it has to do with the 'Advertise on this site' link test going on recently. If a new advertiser signs up for adwords through this link you might get a one-time payment, in addition to getting an advertiser for your site.

[rhuseinh]

So referral button is related to products...
Froogle...Chitika... kind of ...Any guesses...?

Google products: AdWords, AdSense, Urchin, Google Earth Plus/Pro/Enterprise?

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Oh go on, tell us! Tell us! Tell us!

[rhuseinh]

Oh go on, tell us! Tell us! Tell us!

But then I have to kill you all. :P

[Ankhenaton]

With all them "been knocked off the program cause site was associated with a disabled account" posts.. I wouldn't touch this button until G makes clear that this policy is over.

[vincevincevince]

It's got to be the ability to place a product info page/box on your site with a button which gives you a payout?

[Kalle82]

I've checked the German AdSense Policies and didn't find any of the changes concerning the referral programm. Only the "Language" section was changed.

I guess the referral programm will be available only to U.S. publishers at first.

[abbeyvet]

I am not getting the updated version either - in Ireland. No mention of any referral button.

[Bddmed]

Thanks Jenstar for the quick update.

Here in Holland we may place a "verwijzingsknop". So I think this option will be available for multiple countries only the TOS is not updated yet.

Vraag: Wat is een verwijzingsknop? ;)

[OptiRex]

Referral button?

I'm thinking along the lines of ebay...do I re-call an interview when this was brought up?

Thanks for the update Jen...

[blue_eagle]

Referal button is used to refer other webmasters to use adsense. It is not that hard to guess guys come on :) You are so optimistic by thinking that it is something good for us :))

[petra]

When you login, you will notice a small change if you really pay attention. When you login, you will notice the login box switches to a red text "Loading..." message before loading the main control panel page within the account. This is similar to what happens when you login to AdWords accounts.

Hopefully a sign of further integrating adwords and adsense accounts so that publishers can pay adwords bills with adsense earnings.

[indias next no1]

thanks jenstar

[21_blue]

I can reveal the scoop: "refurrall" buttons advertise a new service to completely restore the hair on bald animals. This is particularly useful now that the northern hemisphere is approaching winter.

[Tropical Island]

...advertise a new service to completely restore the hair on bald animals.

I wonder if it will be available for humans too 'cuz as I get older my hair is getting thinner & thinner.

You can always count on Google to be at the leading edge of technology :-)

[21_blue]

TropicalIsland wrote:
>I wonder if it will be available for humans too 'cuz as I get older my hair is getting thinner & thinner.

You'll have to wait for Google to bring out their own version of "wizzywig".

[Tropical Island]

You'll have to wait for Google to bring out their own version of "wizzywig".

DARN!

[eaden]

Now for the question everyone is asking, just what are these referral buttons the new policies refers to? Well, unfortunately, you have to wait ;) But I do promise the full scoop very soon!

On the Google Referral Program page ( [google.com...] ) they talk about an AdSense referral program and link to

[adsense.google.com...]

However that link goes nowhere.

I just hope they are paying more than the $20 the AdWords referal program does.

[humblebeginnings]

The first rule of Referral Button Club is, you do not talk about Referral Button Club.

But I can give you an insight.
The referral button will end all war, crime and pollution. Oh, and it gives ya a discount at CFC!

[OptiRex]

then compensating the referring site

Arghhh...what a horrible piece of Americanism...what on earth is wrong with recompensing?

</rant>

[21_blue]

Optirex wrote:
>what on earth is wrong with recompensing?

"Recompensing"? That must be a technical term used by manufacturers of contact lenses for dogs.

Why can't we have contracts or terms and conditions in plain English? Eg: "for every new advertiser you refer, we'll pay you $30".