Adsense suspended from $200k a year Website

My Story

[rookiecrd1]

Ok, well I just have to vent a little bit. I have had adsense one my one website for over 2 years now. The site is a forum and resource dedicated to discussing ways to make money online. In the last 12 months that Site brought it over $200,000 with adsense and about $325,000 over it's lifetime. Last week, I found that the ads were not displaying on the site. I emailed Google and after waiting 6 days I finally got a response from them saying that it was suspended because my site had a section discussing autosurfs. This site, like I said above is a forum, and then a collection of articles, definitions and other resources dealing with online Money making. In the forum there was one small folder out of about 30, that discussed autosurf programs. Because of this section which was clearly an open forum where members of our site made the posts, our $200,000/yr adsense website was suspended.

I'm sure glad that I sold my stock in google last month. They are throwing away a $200,000 adsense site because members of an open forum decided to discuss autosurf programs (which I have no idea why this topic is banned from adsense TOS anyway.)

On top of all this, I have to wait 3-6 days for a response from Google every time I email them back questioning their policy. Some way to treat a client who has brought in over $400,000 in revenue in the last 2 years, not to mention my $100 a day adwords budget.

Feel free to leave comments. Am I overreacting here?

[Green_Grass]

I did a quick search on Autosurf and there were atleast 30 companies advertising 'autosurf' on Google..

It must be something else on your forum.. maybe the discussion was on something illegal or unethical...

[pageoneresults]

Or maybe a Google representative has been following the topics here at WebmasterWorld and someone didn't like the fact that you were bragging about your income levels from AdSense? It's always a possibility...

[rookiecrd1]

They clearly stated that Autosurf/Paid to surf related sites are not allowed to display adsense. I pointed out that my site was only a forum with a section discussing them, and they replied that that is against their TOS. I couldn't find it in their terms anywhere.

Yes hundreds of Autosurf sites advertise with adwords too. It just doesn't make sense. I am amazed that they are treating me like this, and how slow their response times to my emails are. The first time took 6 days, the next 3 days.

As for someone watching this forum. There is no way anyone can link me to the site I am talking about from posts I made at this forum.

[Green_Grass]

"They clearly stated that Autosurf/Paid to surf related sites are not allowed to display adsense. I pointed out that my site was only a forum with a section discussing them, and they replied that that is against their TOS. I couldn't find it in their terms anywhere. "

There are a few grey ares in the TOS ... I guess one has to accept their policy of " Do no evil" and follow it in one's website also. As most Autosurf schemes are 'Ponzi' in character.. I guess one has to stay on the right side of the line..

[rookiecrd1]

Oh, but they allow the scams to advertise with them, but don't allow sites (my site is for the purpose of discussing the programs to see if they are legit or not)to display those ads if the word "Autosurf" is anywhere to be found.

So basically, the ads to the possible scams can be displayed, but on only sites that don't have to do with autosurfs, meaning they will attract people who have no clue how they really work.

I even offered to remove the ads from the small section (probably acounts for about 1% of my website)dealing with autosurfs.

[ann]

That's a little incredible. Google has sent emails to several sites telling them about a problem with one of their pages...why not you? Intriguing. How do they choose.

Ann

[hdpt00]

YPN time

[loganz]

that is why i never display adsense in any of my forums. unless you are going to moderate every post, id suggest you using a different company to advertise with.

[Hobbs]

which I have no idea why this topic is banned from adsense TOS anyway

Correct me if I am wrong, but Autosuft - paid to surf schemes can encourage clicking ads, which is a clear violation of TOS right? Even without encouraging clicks, they inflate page and ad impressions and your CPM earnings, which is again a violation of TOS

members of an open forum decided to discuss autosurf programs

This is a section in your forum not a passing post by one of your members that you can remove. This answers that question of why you were not just warned like others.

I am very surprised that someone that makes as much as you did can innocently claim that they did not see it coming, you are an adwords and adsense account holder too, there is a fine line and you crossed it.

[martinibuster]

Unfortunately, we can't really do anything for you as your problem is with Google and the resolution has to be arranged with them.

Fortunately, we have some great posts on things to do if one should find their AdSense account banned and you wish to appeal it. If you were innocent and had not violated Google's AdSense TOS, there are some things you can do to try to get reinstated.
You may want to read the following threads for some good advice.

I've been Reinstated - Adsense has let me Back in
[webmasterworld.com...]

What to Do When You are Kicked Out of Adsense
A tutorial on your recourse when booted from AdSense.
[webmasterworld.com...]

Good luck!
;)