Adsense And Other Advert Formats

.. what does Google allow?

[austtr]

I know this has been discussed before but I can't find it, so I'll see if I can trigger someone's memory.

We know that Google allows affiliate adverts on the same page as Adsense... as long as the other adverts are different in style and presentation. e.g. banner ads

My experience shows that text adverts get double the click throughs than banners so naturally I'd like to only run with text ads.

What are the ground rules for doing that without being in breach of the Adsense agreement. Are there any guidelines, examples out there? Anyone have first hand experience of what is acceptable?

[europeforvisitors]

Text affiliate blurbs are fine, as long as they don't mimic AdWords.

[austtr]

Thanks EFV

The interpretation of "mimic" is what concerns me. I'd assume Google means "don't replicate our presentation exactly".

However, text in a box is always going to look like text in a box so when does similar become mimic?

To be safe I guess I'll ask Google to take a look at some examples.

[europeforvisitors]

If you visit the URL in my user profile, you'll see how I've handled affiliate text links. My site was approved by Google's AdSense team without modification.

You'll note that:

1) Unlike Google AdWords, my affiliate links don't have a box around them.

2) My column of affiliate links has a different background color than my Google AdSense ads.

3) A "Book & Buy" graphic is at the top of the affiliate-link column. (This could just as easily have read "Partners"; I chose "Book & Buy" because I have a travel site.)

[austtr]

Yes.... very neatly done.

[Adam_C]

Something I've seen, which looks cool but might not be allowed is other links (non-affiliate/commercial) mimicking the AdWords appearance.

Any idea if this is allowed?

[europeforvisitors]

Something I've seen, which looks cool but might not be allowed is other links (non-affiliate/commercial) mimicking the AdWords appearance.

Sounds risky to me. Why take a chance?

[Adam_C]

Why take a chance?

Exactly! Unless its approved of.