Breakdown of the new AdSense Terms, FAQ, Policies

New features: search, ad preview, languages, more channels, whew!

[Jenstar]

This is definitely the largest all-at-once update that AdSense has undertaken, as was seen by the problems publishers experienced when logging in - seems everyone was checking out all the new features the moment the emails arrived.

Lots of new options and features are in.

Let's get started :)

New Terms

Someone went happy with the <b> tags in the latest version of the AdSense terms.

1. Program Participation.

Small changes made to reflect the fact AdSense can now show ads on search results.

Still included is the reference that multiple accounts can be terminated.

2. Implementation and Operation of Ads and Search Results.

Lots of changes in this section!

Made the change that all publishers agree to comply with the technical aspects "to enable proper delivery, display, tracking, and reporting of Ads, Search Results, and Google Brand Features" (it formerly said only "proper display").

Now says that the javascript/programming can be changed with explicit written permission from Google. The previous terms did not allow for any modification whatsoever.

The search box has to be placed on a page with content related to your site. The search script cannot be changed from the script AdSense generates.

All searches must be generated by a human actually entering the search term into the box.

Google will host all search results, and are permitted to change the look/feel of those results page.

Each site running AdSense is subject to Google's review and approval, at any time. This eliminates the theory many had that only the site used to apply with AdSense was ever checked.

The mysterious multiple ad units per page is still included, but are still not permitted to have the same ad appear twice. I guess this feature will still be launched in the future.

They have clarified their position on competitor's ads, and now state that you may not have ads that people might confuse with AdSense - this would cover many contextual advertisers, as well as the "faux" AdSense ads that are popping up everywhere - ads people create to mimic AdSense, but are not dynamic at all.

If you use the search box, you are agreeing that Google provides the only internet-based search service on your site. This would prohibit sites from carrying other search result ads from sources other than Google on any domain they use the search box on.

AdSafe and SafeSurf features are "As is" and cannot ensure all search results will be filtered.

4. Parties' Responsibilities

A curious change was made to reflect the fact that Google has the right to investigate any activity that may violate the terms, including a publishers "use of a software application to access Ads or Search Results" or doing any kind of activity that is specifically prohibitted by the terms.

5. Prohibited Uses

This section was significantly added to. Some minor changes were made to include reference to the search feature in addition to the regular ad feature.

They have expanded the "fraudulent" section to include that you shall not (and shall not encourage/authorize a third party) to: "directly or indirectly generate queries, impressions of or clicks on any Search Results and/or Ad(s) through any automated, deceptive, disingenuous or fraudulent means". The rest of the (i) section remains the same.

Specifies that you cannot do anything that would cause a searcher to do anything but go directly from the search box "submit" to the results page.

You cannot use a bot to crawl any of the search result pages or the ad units, to save or cache either.

They have beefed up the part that Google can terminate a publisher immediately for terms violations, and if you violate the agreement, Google can that pursue any and all applicable legal and equitable remedies against you, and the pursuit of all available civil or criminal remedies relating to fraud and other legal claims. I wouldn't want to be on the wrong site of that part ;)

6. Termination; Cancellation.

Just minor changes, and reference that Google can investigate for violations of the agreement.

9. No Warranty.

Includes reference to reflect the search feature. Also states Google is not liable for non-Google content ads or search results that appear.

11. Payment.

Minor changes to reflect search feature.

If you are past due on any Google program, they have the right to withhold payment - previously, it stated only Adwords specifically.

12. Publicity

Minor language edits.

15. Google Rights
(Formerly named Information Rights)

Google can now release personal information in response to any "valid legal process, such as subpoenas, search warrants and court orders, or to establish or exercise its legal rights or defend against legal claims."

Google AdSense Program Policies

New AdSense policies. Remember, by agreeing to the terms, you are also agreeing to the policies!

Includes reference that some policies may only apply to certain AdSense features (ie. only content ads or only search services). There are minor changes throughout to reference search boxes in addition to content ads.

Ad Code Modification section has been removed.

Ad Placement

Minor edits that ad colors must be such that all ad elements are visible (such as text and URL).

Alternate Ads

Changed reference from AdSense ads to Adwords ads. Also includes reference for the alternate ad image/server.

Code Modification

This new section states that the AdSense scripts cannot be modified before pasting into webpages.

Competitive Ads

Includes reference that you cannot use competitive search services if running the AdSense search.

Language

Minor change to reference all supported languages.

Personal Pages

This section has been removed.

Site Content

Now included is that site may not include "Any other content that promotes illegal activity or infringes on the legal rights of others."

Updated FAQ

Minor references made for updates I mention elsewhere in this post. The major change is the web search addition to the FAQ.

Web Search

Web Search is the new section of the FAQ:
[google.com...]

It is a free program, and AdSense pays for all valid clicks on the ads from search results pages.

Google will only be able to search pages that are already in the index, but unfortunately, Submitting your site in this manner does not guarantee inclusion in Google's index.

Ads are chosen based upon the search keywords and language of the search terms.

SafeSearch is an option for publishers wishing to exclude adult content from the results.

A separate search performance tab has been added to the control panel, as well as a new tab for setting up how you want your search results to appear. You can include your own logo on the results, if you wish.

Google AdSense Preview Tool

This is a handy piece of software. Not only can you see what ads would appear on any webpage with a simple right-click function, you can see the ads based on geo-location (I could see what ads people would see outside of my own geo-location.) And best, you can click the ads without the advertiser being charged, and without having to worry about the threat of invalid clicks for accidentily clicking on your own ads.

You can use this on other publisher's pages as well, and it will take into account the blocked URL filter list from each publisher into account when showing ads.

This is only compatible with Internet Explorer 6.x

What else is new

The report control panel has been modified - they have moved everything up, to fit the actual report on the page (many reported having to scroll to see the stats). A member suggested this usability change, and it appears they used the idea.

When logging in for the first time with the new changes, publishers must agree to the new terms (changes are outlined above).

Also when logging in, publishers must select whether they are a business or an individual, for their account type. This also determines who the check is made out to. It also notes that this cannot be changed, once submitted. This raises the question of what if a business name changes or someone has a name change (ie. for marriage). They state it is for identity theft reasons. Payments will not be sent until this is completed.

Publishers (possibly for US-based publishers only) are no longer allowed to use a PO Box # for the payment address.

AdSense now supports four new languages: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish.

More channels have been added, allowing publishers 50 active channels for regular AdSense and 50 more for search.

A new half-banner has been added (234x60) that will display one ad. [google.com...]

Whew, thats it for all the new changes :)

<added>Information on PO Boxes</added>

[edited by: Jenstar at 7:29 am (utc) on June 18, 2004]

[ken_b]

Another nice summary Jenstar. Thanks!

[2oddSox]

Kudos Jenstar! Your summaries and input in this forum are very much appreciated. Thank you :)

Personally, I think Google should send you a press release before the big day so you can pre-empt the barrage of questions

[Swash]

Minor edits that ad colors must be such that all ad elements are visible (such as text and URL).

does this include borders i wonder

[willamowius]

Personal Pages

This section has been removed.

Does that mean AdSense is now allowed on personal homepages?

[donstar]

Jenstar thanks.
Could someone throw some light on " when logging in, publishers must select whether they are a business or an individual, for their account type."

[2oddSox]

Minor edits that ad colors must be such that all ad elements are visible (such as text and URL).

does this include borders i wonder

I thought the same when I read that but I spent a fair bit of time reading over the terms on the AS site and it appears (to me) that you can still customise the border colour to your suiting. I think the emphasis is on the URL, text and heading to be visible at all times.

[Jenstar]

when logging in, publishers must select whether they are a business or an individual, for their account type

Essentially, do you want your check made out to your personal name, or your business name. But once you select and enter or confirm your name, you will not be able to change it again.

2odd, I believe you are correct. The AdSense control panel has allowed the background and border to be the same color, but it will not allow your URL, description or title be the same/similar color as the background.

[valley]

Thank you Jenstar,I have a couple of queries.

1 -

If you use the search box, you are agreeing that Google provides the only internet-based search service on your site. This would prohibit sites from carrying other search result ads from sources other than Google on any domain they use the search box on.

I imagine that a site search box which seeks results only for your domain within your site does not come under these rules.Yes?
-------------------------------------------------------
2 - Individual or business,what are the criteria for these choices?

Thanks

[tombola]

What about the new supported languages?

The email I got from Google says that there are 4 new supported languages: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish.
On the Google Adsense FAQ these languages are NOT mentioned at this time...

[martinibuster]

Wow, Jen, you're the hardest working mod at WW! Great summation.

many reported having to scroll to see the stats

Yes, I'm one of them. I think it's a sign of how fast they rushed roll out these changes. Please please fix this issue!

This new section states that the AdSense scripts cannot be modified before pasting into webpages.

Ok, but what about non-modified external JS?

[Jenstar]

tombola - all four of those new languages are specifically mentioned in the FAQ here:
[google.com...]

[Powdork]

does this include borders i wonder

I certainly don't think it includes borders. Test Magic, one of the case studies, does not have visible borders.

Martinibuster, they did fix it

[jim_w]

>>The search box has to be placed on a page with content related to your site. The search script cannot be changed from the script AdSense generates.<<

Well that is silly, and lets me out. For me to do that their search box would have to be no more than 120 pixels. I need my search feature to be on a page by itself to fit my page. And since the ads in the search are displayed based on the search phrase, I don’t understand why they would insist on that. How much 'content'? Would a menu count? My test page, that I deleted, worked just fine.

[edited by: rogerd at 2:21 am (utc) on June 21, 2004]
[edit reason] No URLs please... [/edit]

[Macro]

Excellent summary Jenstar!

My only problem is - oddly - with this:

Still included is the reference that multiple accounts can be terminated

There are many legitimate reasons for having multiple accounts, not just curiousity about which site earns how much. For one, you may want some of the earnings in a spouse's name, or a kid's name to minimise tax liabilities. Also, in some cases people have a limited company website and their own hobby website. For accounts purposes the Ltd company's earnings have to be clearly separated from personal earnings. And channels is not a good enough solution because someone may want to sell the limited company and the hobby website separately.

[totter]

If you use the search box, you are agreeing that Google provides the only internet-based search service on your site. This would prohibit sites from carrying other search result ads from sources other than Google on any domain they use the search box on.

Does this prevent you from running your own internet search? My search results don't have ads associated with them.

[robinponty]

Jenster,
Beyond excellence. A nice point to point summary.

YOU ARE THE PRO!

I am wandering what we would had been doing without you ;).
Thanks again..

[Visit Thailand]

Yes a million thanks Jenstar.

I like I am sure a few others here were waiting for your truly excellent analysis of the changes before doing anything with our accounts. Thanks.

[wgonz]

Thank you very much Jenstar!

[wgonz]

Thank you very much Jenstar!

[Sense_able]

Thank you Jenstar you are obviously fluent in Double Dutch....

I am sorry if you felt under presure over the last few hours as I know there were many of us waiting for you to do the leg work for us....

Thank you

[donstar]

Jenstar,
Thank u once again for clearing our doubts.

donstar :)

[novice]

Jenstar,

Thanks for the great summary.

[hiker_jjw]

Concerning the multiple site issue...

I believe channels were developed to handle that issue.

Great summary! That saved me about an hour of reading the fine details.

[hunderdown]

In section 11, there is this addition: "If You have elected to receive Search Results, this payment will be offset by fees applicable to Search Results."

Am I the only one who wonders if this implies that we will be charged a (not specified) amount for each search done on our site using Google, and that these charges will be deducted from our AdSense payments?

[edit] I see this question is also being asked in another thread. I'm going to wait to see what Google says about this before doing anything.

[buckworks]

Publishers (possibly for US-based publishers only) are no longer allowed to use a PO Box # for the payment address.

That mikes life difficult for people like me who live in rural areas where the local post office is the only method of delivery besides a courier service!

[Macro]

I believe channels were developed to handle that issue.

But channels don't. If your reply was for me - please do read my post first before dismissing it as a non-issue!

One other thing, a reminder, and this is not to detract from Jenstar's brilliance, help and promptness in summarising the TOS changes for us... but, it is everyone's responsibility to read the TOS themselves. Too often we see posts of someone being terminated etc. and it turns out they didn't even read the TOS.

But Jenstar, there's nobody like you for summarising the TOS changes for us! Thanks a mil.

[sirlion]

Where exactly does it state no more PO boxes. I can't seem to find that in the new T&C.

[Jenstar]

Where exactly does it state no more PO boxes.

It doesn't state it until you try and input one into the address field in your account.

[sirlion]

Another grey area. I've been using a PO box since I opened my account. Maybe this is just for new publishers?