Forum Moderators: martinibuster
The FAQ still says it isn't allowed on search results. Does anyone have any info on this?
I run a very high traffic site that isn't commercial - it doesn't sell anything, and about 60% of the site's traffic is search results (data that is unique and not listed anywhere else). Without adsense on search results, the site is basically unable to sustain itself.
I hope they plan to make this change perm.
I just wanted to hear if anyone else had any info or a link to something offical from google announcing this change. I tried searching this forum and couldn't find anything related.
I do know that the AdSense team is currently testing ads on search results pages. At this point, it's only a test with a limited number of publishers - I don't know if or when it will be made available to all publishers. The program policies page is correct in stating that ads on search results are not currently allowed.
I'll definitely communicate to the AdSense team that people are anxiously awaiting this feature - this sort of feedback is very helpful for decisions on potential changes.
ASA.
In my opinion, since the adsense ads would show up after someone just searched for a very specific term, the relevancy and quality to the Adwords advertiser would be even HIGHER than from relevant content based ads.
... hope they start allowing this soon!
Let me know if you'd like me to foward copies of the emails to you. I want to make sure that I'm in the clear with this.
thanks
Does this mean that a site with search capacity cannot display the ads on a landing page? If, for example, I have a search feature on my site which allows anyone to search any page on my site, then I can't have ads on the resulting pages?
Also, if I use PPC and bid on a term which someone runs a search for on say Overture or Google and clicks to the page on my site, is this in essence functioning as a search results page?
I'm confused about this.
Does this mean that a site with search capacity cannot display the ads on a landing page?
It means you can't display AdSense on the page that displays following the search which would be the page with links.
If, for example, I have a search feature on my site which allows anyone to search any page on my site, then I can't have ads on the resulting pages?
Correct
Also, if I use PPC and bid on a term which someone runs a search for on say Overture or Google and clicks to the page on my site, is this in essence functioning as a search results page?
No, because the search results aren't on your site.
I have the custom Google Search on my site, so the results page is Google's with links to pages on my site.
This brings up another point. I know this is wishful thinking, but it sure would be nice to see Google share the revenues from the adword ads displayed on the custom Google search results, since they are generated from visitors on my site. This would actually encourage more sites to integrate Google's custom search feature on their site.
I guess that would be against the TOS we just discussed, though. Kind of a catch-22 situation. Oh well, it was a nice thought :-)
Calarch90 - I personally disagree with Blue_Fin's opinion that what you are asking for above is against the terms of Service for Adsense. This would mean that just because a site allows people to search pages for specific content within the site, i couldn't use Adsense?
No way! That would mean sites like about.com and other content based sites couldnt use Adsense just because they allow people to search their sites.
In my opinion, the restriction deals with search result pages in a search engine format, meaning a list of links to other sites about that search term.
AdsenseAdvisor - could you please clarify what this restriction actually refers to... also, it looks like JasonHamilton is saying that he was told that Adsense users COULD start placing the code on search result pages... please clarify this if you can as well - thanks!
That would mean sites like about.com and other content based sites couldnt use Adsense just because they allow people to search their sites.
No, that's not what it would mean. First, sites like about.com are premium publishers so they are not bound by the same rules we are. In fact, AdSense code is allowed on search results pages on sites that get at least 5 million searches per month. Further, as to what applies to us, Google has not said that AdSense code is not allowed on sites that allow people to search. They have said that the AdSense code cannot be placed on search results pages. Huge difference.
In my opinion, the restriction deals with search result pages in a search engine format, meaning a list of links to other sites about that search term.
The AdSense Program Policies do not differentiate between internal and external links. They simply say no code on search results pages.
What is really troublesome to me is the conflicting information given to us by Google employees. AdSense Support says one thing and AdSenseAdvisor, a Google employee, says something else.
What is really troublesome to me is the conflicting information given to us by Google employees. AdSense Support says one thing and AdSenseAdvisor, a Google employee, says something else.
As someone else said, they could be granting permission for allowing AdSense on search result pages on a case-by-case basis, which would definitely result in differences in answers from various Google employees.
If publishers would like to put AdSense on search result pages, or do something that does contradict the FAQ/policies/terms, they should simply ask the AdSense Team directly.
/me waits patiently for AdSenseAdvisor
The site is 99% specific to the top for all the searches too.
/me waits patiently for AdSenseAdvisor
I would go with what the AdSense Support Team has told you.
1) I wrote to Google reporting someone for using AdSense on search results.
2) Google wrote back saying they were allowed since they're currently letting people use it on search results.
3) I wrote back asking if I could too.
4) They replied saying I could as long as I didn't violate the ToS.
I never told google what my site was, and used a different email than what my adsense account is registered under. Basically it appears that they gave blanket permission for anyone to place adsense on search results.
Think your reading a lot into that response
Which is why JH is trying to get some more information before proceeding, methinks.
One thing I wouldn't do however is solely take ASA's word on any matter that might affect the status of your account. Keep hammering the point with the AdSense support team and try to get a definitive answer specifically concerning the website you intend to use the code on.
Given the fact that many webmasters feel like they're walking on egg-shells when it comes to dealing with Google, I personally wouldn't be happy with anything less than an e-mail from a person within the AdSense team specifically regarding my site. Something I can then refer to if the proverbial hits the fan. Easier said than done perhaps, but you'll get many more hours sleep as a result.
Good luck,
2odd...
Better to be safe than sorry...
Well I wouldn't read the response quite that way. Item 4 seems to overide the rest of the response. .....
I am not holding my breath on this one though because at this moment time it is against the adsense TOS to have the code on a search results page
>>I never told google what my site was, and used a different email than what my adsense account is registered under.
I contacted google from the login for adsense and have been honest about it, why take the risk if its no you cant use it then its NO
ncw164x
sebans
"Ads must not be displayed on any"...."search results pages"
and section 6 (Prohibited Uses) of the Terms and Conditions state:-
"You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to:"
"vi) act in any way that violates any Program policies posted on the Google Web Site, as revised from time to time. Violation of any of the foregoing may result in immediate termination of this Agreement, and may subject You to state and federal penalties and other legal consequences."
sebans - Take it off before it's too late, wait for approval first
ncw164x
sebans
