Handling Client's AdSense Accounts

Is this a problem?

[EarleyGirl]

In another thread [webmasterworld.com] someone said this:

If he truly did log into his "friends" account then his friend would have had to hand over his username and password, which I think Google is right to assume its a very unusual thing to do unless you are in cahoots or the same person. Logging into google adsense with someone elses credentials, but from your IP, with your google cookies, browser version etc etc google is right to be suspicious.

Are there any people here who handle their client's AdSense accounts as part of your duties as their webmaster? I do and I can't seem to find anything in Google's program policies or T&C that says this shouldn't be done (though my eyesight is not as good these days - perhaps I missed it).

Someone else suggested that if you log in to another person's account - it should be done from a different IP. But I don't understand why this is necessary if I've been given permission by the client to add code to their pages (they would not be able to do this as quickly or easily as I can). I handle all other aspects of this person's website. It only seemed natural for me to be handling the addition of AdSense code to their pages. There were several channels that needed to be defined, ad color schemes, URLs to block, etc. All of it I knew how to do from experience with my own AdSense account. Would someone please point out to me from Google's T&C where this is a problem?

Thanks,
Hope

[leadegroot]

{reads other thread}
EarleyGirl, I would suggest you write to Google, explaining to them that you handle client accounts and asking if it is ok.
Obviously they will reply saying 'yes it is', but what you will have done is a) established a pattern of checking with them - the baddies tend not to do that, and b) made your situation clear, so if the client account ended up banned for reasons not to do with you, your account would be safer.

HIH!

[EarleyGirl]

Thanks, leadegroot! Support was contacted a few days ago. I'm awaiting their reply.

[leadegroot]

Well, do let us know what they say - everyone is concerned by these issues! :)

[aeiouy]

There should be no problem with this at all. Lots of people log into to multiple accounts from the same place.

The only concern is if one of the accounts gets banned it can impact other accounts. If you handle accounts for multiple clients and yourself, one of them being banned could lead to ALL of them being banned.

That would be the only thing to be concerned about.

[Visi]

Would have to believe the statment about ownership of the website would be the section that applies.

[EarleyGirl]

I heard from AdSense support tonight and they said as long as the owner of the account has given permission to manage their account, this does not conflict with their policies.

Not to worry. I'll be keeping the email in a safe place but I don't think there will be any problems since neither of us are going against any T&C or program policies.

Hope

[leadegroot]

Just musing - if I were feeling really, really paranoid (you know, the normal state of affairs) I might go so far as to write to Google and tell them I am no longer associated with client X's account should Client X stop being my client.
Who knows who they will hire afterwards?
Yes, yes, I know - too paranoid ;)

[Hobbs]

Worth adding here:

a) Google's reply will mean nothing if one of the accounts get banned, the owner of the account cannot go back to google and say it was EarleyGirl that messed up, by passing the login details, the owner of the account gave up that right (if any), and EarleyGirl should have a contact specifying that to avoid being sued by the client later on.

b) If EarleyGirl (used only as an example) does a TOS violation (by mistake or not) across 2 of the accounts and got one banned, it is still safe to assume that the rest of the accounts will be affected.

c) There is no relation between managing a site professionally and logging in to its AdSense account except for setting up channels and getting ad codes, which can still be done by the owner of the account or at the owner's premises, the convenience does not outweigh the HUGE risks involved, at least this is how I would do it myself, if I the client is geographically distant, I would email them detailed step by step instructions and have them do it, and it is not something you have to do every day, if they really can't do it for me, I would go login from another network and computer and do it for them.