Adsense Color Question

[dvduval]

When I built my website (before Adsense was even around), I chose to use colors that are not part of the Adsense palette. I would very much like to make ads that match the background of my site. I have tried other colors, but I am not happy with the appearance. Would there be a way I could use a custom color for the ad background?

[Broadway]

Is this a TOS question or a "how to code" question? As far as coding goes just insert the hex value of your background color into your Adsense code.

google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";

As far as TOS goes I can't imagine why they would care what color you choose but when in doubt it wouldn't hurt to email them and ask.

[PatrickDeese]

FYI - you can plug in any hex code you want, you don't have to use the color picker tool.

[Jenstar]

>> you can plug in any hex code you want

I have done the same. I think the color picker is there to make it easy for publishers to choose colors - and to avoid the inevitable "where can i find the hex color codes" support would get if they didn't have the color picker ;)

[dvduval]

I always thought it was a big no-no to touch the Adsense code. I'm glad to finally get this straight. Thanks.

[Rodney]

I don't think they are suggesting that you edit the Adsense code directly, as that *is* against the TOS.

But you can edit the Color Tool *before* Google Generates your Adsense code by going to:

Ad Settings > Ad Colors >

And then changing hex code next to the various fields (Border, Background, Title, Text, URL) in the Pick Colors area.

Then you can give your new "Palette" a name and save it so you can easily refer back to it (in the Palette/Color drop down list) when you go to:

Ad Settings > Ad Layout Code

[dvduval]

Good point, Rodney.
I'm glad you told me this before I modified too many sites.

[camper]

There's no difference between editing the AdSense code directly in HTML and using the color picker to change colors. It's a lot easier to go the direct route. If you choose a hex combination not allowed by the color picker (not enough contrast between font & background, for example) the type shows up as either black or white. If you do a regular rotation from one font color to another or want to experiment, it's much easier to go right into the HTML. Changing the HTML is not the same as "modifying" it.

[PatrickDeese]

Actually I did mean that you can *manually* enter values into the color fields instead of mouse clicking on the color chart from the Ad Settings page.

However I have certainly just modified the color values by hand, more than once. I mean if I see:

google_color_border = "000000";

Its not going to be a big deal to change it to "ffffff".

You get in trouble for changing the layout, the order of the code etc - the modifying the colors is permissable and expected.

[Rodney]

the modifying the colors is permissable and expected.

I still think (from the tone of the comments of AdSenseAdvisor) that modifying the direct AdSense HTML/js is strictly against the TOS (which is why they have the tool).

As long as you modify it before the code gets generated, there is no TOS violation, but if you modify the code after it is generated in your own text editor or HTML editor, I believe you are taking a risk of being in violation of the TOS.

For example, if you made a mistake in changing the hex code from 000000 to ffffff and put too many characters or an odd character (say $ instead of #) and you messed up the code and caused incorrect ad loading on your site, that could cause you to get an email from Google Adsense.