Is this site against the TOS?

If this is allowed by google or not

[yirmumah]

I was surfing around and found this site <snip>

Notice how he has the list of menu items, and if you click them, they say "Listings for positioning" -- and if you go to the other topics like marketing, it's alot of

"listings for" whatever topic it was.

This seems to be against the TOS, right?

If that sort of thing is allowed, that's bogus.

[edited by: Jenstar at 5:17 pm (utc) on May 21, 2005]
[edit reason] No outting of publishers sites please, as per TOS [/edit]

[Jenstar]

If you feel it may be against the TOS, simply click on the "Ads by Google" and report it, and Google can check the page for compliance.

[asianguy]

Jenstar, would it be nice to tell the person first through email and tell him to check with Google if his site complies with the TOS, because we are not even sure if his site is against the TOS in this regard.

[Rodney]

If his site isn't against the TOS, then mentioning it to Google won't do anything.

At the minimum, it will get you the clarification of the policy direct from the source.

[wheelie34]

I saw one last night that had a full page of ads, the long banner with 4 ads across the top of the page, then next line down was a row of similar topic ads, but, at the bottom it said "ads by sponsor" rather than ads by Gooo, then the next line was genuine ads by G , the next his, the last G's, G says not to make your own or other companies ads on your page look at all similar to theirs, so I clicked ads by google and sent an email with the hyperlink in it, checked just a minute ago, theyre still there, he has also made the url on each g ad, the same colour as the background of the page so its invisible, both of these are against TOS lets see what g does about it,
they are quick to suspend or ban publishers for false clicks, but not for web site tricks, or is it that the financial side comes first, let it slip through as his trickery is working well for him and G, different IP's etc so it cant be construed as false clicks, hmm think about it

[Jenstar]

asianguy, it is up to people to decide how they want to handle the situation when they see a publisher infringing on the TOS. yirmumah obviously wanted to "out" the guy, otherwise he wouldn't have included the URL, hence my suggestion to report it to Google.

It is a personal preference whether people want to tell the publisher, report it to Google, or do nothing. I personally do not report infringing sites to Google, but that is my choice. Others choose to handle it differently. It doesn't make any method right or wrong, simply a personal choice.

[wheelie34]

exacly Jenstar, my opinion is on site merit, if it is clearly a page created for ads but blatant TOS violation then I burn his bridge for him as he clearly has no intention of giving the user the info they want just a page of possible exit corridors

[spaceylacie]

When I first started reading this board, then started to post, I had one of my site URLs posted. Well, a couple people sticky-ed about TOS I was breaking, thing is, I got permission from Google first. I think, if the ads convert, Google allows exceptions.

Email the site owner first.

[asianguy]

Spaceylacie>>> I think, if the ads convert, Google allows exceptions.

I think its safe to get permission first if you think you will go beyond the TOS?

However, If Google would do an exception, they should be stated in the TOS.

[spaceylacie]

I was talking from personal experience. I didn't get to see the URL he was talking about, so it was a general statement.

One domain of mine "technically" violates TOS. But after emailing Google about it, they sent a nice explanation. I was looking at the TOS too technically, they were talking about actual visitors.

[mickeymart]

I think the original poster may have been asking if the site met some type of criteria.

From what I saw before the mod yanked the link was a page with nothing but a menu and adsense ads..

its a good question.. does google actually support garbage sites like that?

[mkl21]

I can't believe you guys have nothing better to do than
checking, spying and "munching" on other people's websites! ( Writing this with respect to those who do not do such things...) Why don't you just mind your own business and try to focus on your own websites and the revenue you're making instead of reporting others'? Are you not busy enough to deal with your own stuff only? Have you ever looked into the mirror in the morning and asked yourself what kind of person you are?

[mickeymart]

haha your site is garbage pal

[spaceylacie]

It's great having time to check, spy, and munch. Quit your job and join in on the fun! ;-)

LOL.

[mkl21]

it is sickening really... I have already quit my job and still would not waste my time on this... and do not find it fun....

[asianguy]

mkl21>>> Why don't you just mind your own business and try to focus on your own websites and the revenue you're making instead of reporting others'?

Thats what i am trying to say to these people.

[yirmumah]

Well, the site in question WAS indeed violating the terms of service. Without saying what it was exactly....

it was a site on web design and marketing, but it had this menu of terms, when you click a term, the page opens and it just says "results for" whatever the topic was. I wasn't searching around for cheaters, I happened on the site and noticed the ad scam and thought it was bogus.

I only posted because I wanted to know if that was in violation--- because hell, if it's not, I'd start a garbage site like that too and make some scrap.

I can't believe the link was deleted. Makes me think you're running some bogus sites yourself. Bottom line, this type of crap HURTS Adsense in the long run which isn't good for anyone. The bubble will break MUCH faster with that behavior going on.

[spaceylacie]

I guess sarcasm is not allowed here. ;-(

Sorry!

[fearlessrick]

Lacie, sarcasm is appreciated by some. ;-)

As for us minding our own business, when we come across garbage sites that kill our business by stealing clicks and page impressions and dropping the bids for ads, in addition to besmirching the whole idea of conceptual ads, IT IS OUR BUSINESS.

AND IT'S RIGHT TO REPORT THEM.

When I was in the newspaper business, some unscrupulous operators inflated their circulation figures to get more adverisers. It's technically a crime, fraud. I reported a few to the police and talked to plenty of advertisers very openly about the "competition" which every time went out of business as quickly as they went in.

I actually broke into the offices of one guy who was running a major scam and rifled his files for evidence. I remember a very funny conversation I had with an assistant DA over how I obtained the evidence. Well, that's another story...

Anyhow, reporting shaky operators is every bit our business and I applaud all who report violators.