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Making my link look like an ad...

...or making the ads look like my link

         

Stretch

10:30 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I've just been accepted to adsense and I don't want to break the rules.

Just to be clear, I haven't messed about with the adsense code in any way.

I have a boxed out area on one of my sites that is basically setup to look like an ad for my main site. This 'ad' conveniently looks like and runs into the adsense code displayed below it. So, in effect, you see my 'ad', then the 'Ads by Google' text and then the adsense ads - but they all look like one boxed out area of links.

From the faq I've read:

You also agree not to display any other text-based or content-targeted advertisement(s) on the same Web page in connection with which an Ad Unit or any Ad is displayed.

But I'm not actually displaying an ad - just a link that looks like one.

Google do seem to encourage making their ads blend in and I'm pretty sure that's all I'm doing. Needless to say, I'd really appreciate any comments. Can anyone say if this is allowed or not?

Most appreciated.

Stretch

jomaxx

10:39 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



So you're not displaying an ad that mimics AdSense, you're displaying an "ad" that mimics AdSense?

Seems to me the distinction is mostly in your own mind. Why would you want to do this anyway?

Stretch

10:55 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



>> Seems to me the distinction is mostly in your own mind.

I agree. But that's because I really don't understand the rules that Google have laid down.

Yes, I suppose it is an ad. It is a text based area on the page, designed to mimic the look of adsense and written to encourage people to navigate to my main site.

Why do it? Because, even though there are other opportunities to click through to my main site on the same page, I want the adsense area to be one. The adsense serves as another useful resource to my visitors but I'd rather they clicked through to my site than the advertisers.

Regardless of my motives, does your answer mean that your interpretation of the Google FAQ is that I'm doing something against the rules?

Again, appreciated.

ncw164x

10:59 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



>>designed to mimic the look of adsense

If this is the case then you don't do it, otherwise you are breaking the adsense TOS

It is clearly stated in the terms of service

ncw164x

Stretch

11:00 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



jomaxx

Just to be clearer, my confusion arises because others here discuss having ads or affiliate links on the same page as their adsense code. That's allowed, so is what I'm doing?

Stretch

11:03 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



ncw164x

Fair enough :) Better change my code. Could you show me where it says this in the TOS? I'm not being lazy (probably just stupid), I have read the TOS but didn't see anything clear about this.

Thanks.

Stretch

11:06 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Don't bother. If, by definition, links to my own sites are ads, which I suppose they are, the TOS is now much clearer.

Thanks all.

[edited by: Stretch at 11:17 pm (utc) on Feb. 3, 2004]

ken_b

11:07 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



Stretch; My understanding that affilate or other ads are permitted as long as they do not mimic, or look like Adsense ads.

I think that's where what you are describing could wind up causing problems for you.

Is it real worth it?

Surely you can creat an attractive, effective for that spot that does not mimic Adsense and still encourages visitors to click through to your main site.

Stretch

11:13 pm on Feb 3, 2004 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



ken_b

Your right. It was an easy solution to drive traffic to my site on that area of the page. I'll work on something more clickable than an adsense clone.

Again, thanks all.