Use your own Google Websearch

can you use the searchbox on your own site?

[Lipik]

If I use the searchbox on my own site, is this a violation of TOS?
I now I can just use the normal google url, but how else can I see the result of my code?

[richmondsteve]

Can you clarify what you mean? I don't understand where else you would use the WebSearch box besides your own site.

[Lipik]

from TOS "All search queries must originate from individual human end users inputting data directly into a Search Box on Your Site(s)."

Am I (as webmaster) an end user?
If I'm not, I'm not supposed to use it.
So can I use the searchbox myself or is this considered as a violation like clicking your own ads?

[jomaxx]

I don't see anything wrong with using WebSearch. In fact almost anybody intending to use it would have to do test searches to work out how the page looked with their logo and color scheme.

But needless to say, do not click on the ads. AdSense is not a get-paid-to-surf program.

[richmondsteve]

Lipik wrote:

Am I (as webmaster) an end user?
If I'm not, I'm not supposed to use it.

OK, I understand now. It is my opinion that you would be acting as an end user while performing a search. However, I agree with jomaxx that it's not wise to use the WebSearch box on your own sites and click the resulting ads. Even though you might be clicking an ad that you are legitimately interested in, if Google thinks otherwise they can cancel your publisher account and to me that isn't worth the risk, regardless of one's personal ethics.