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]

[jomaxx]

Macro, I agree there are valid reasons for having accounts in different names. But come on - having Google pay part of the money to you and part to your wife and part to your kids for tax purposes is not one of them.

[lorenzinho2]

< 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 wonder if this means no competing search boxes on your site, or no competing search results. For example, SearchFeed provides sponsored results that are triggered by users' queries within your site's search field.

Anyone have thoughts if SearchFeed would be included as a competitor?

[Macro]

Google pay part of the money to you and part to your wife ...is not one of them

While I have every confidence in my marriage the question has come up here before as to what happens with Adsense earnings in divorce proceedings. If both partners have sites that they work on (but they use a single connection/IP/PC) I see no reason why the earnings have to be combined in one cheque.

But, as you say, there are a lot of other good reasons for having separate accounts - including splitting earnings from business and hobby sites. This rule of not having multiple accounts is one rule Google seem to have just for the sake of having it.

[jomaxx]

Macro, why did you mangle my quote that way? That's obviously not what I was saying at all. You're the one who brought up sending checks to your kids as a tax dodge.

[Jenstar]

Anyone have thoughts if SearchFeed would be included as a competitor?

If you are running the AdSense search, you would not be able to run SearchFeed. It would definitely be considered a competitor to WebSearch.

[willybfriendly]

The PO Box policy is untenable. It is the only mail delivery available to me, and has been for over three years. I would describe myself as semi-rural, but carrier delivery stops about 1/4 mile from my house :(

Has anyone tried contacting G directly about this to ask about exceptions?

WBF

[bts111]

Thanks Jenstar :)

[tbear]

Phew, lots to digest here........
I did read the TOS, but admit to getting a little bored and distracted.
Jenstar, you are a star!
Making better sense now......
Thanx mucho...

[Macro]

jomaxx, the point is there are legitimate reasons why people may want/need separate accounts. Tax planning is only one of them.

[HitProf]

Thanks Jen! Even though I've read the complete TOS & FAQ twice you still add new insights :)

A few things:

* Once you choose for Websearch: "yes" there is no way back.
"Change information" does not aply to this option. (This may be a bug of course).

* Where the TOS says you are not allowed to place other internet search options on the same site, the FAQ only speaks of the same page.

At least this is in the Dutch version. Changing my settings to English doesn't help, I still get the Dutch pages and the new text hasn't yet been indexed :)

[HughMungus]

The PO Box policy is untenable. It is the only mail delivery available to me, and has been for over three years. I would describe myself as semi-rural, but carrier delivery stops about 1/4 mile from my house :(

Why not use a mail forwarding service? The checks are mailed to the mail forwarding service's physical address and re-mailed to your PO box.

Alternatively, give Google the physical address of your local post office. :D

[HughMungus]

I just finished reading the whole thing myself and I have a few questions.

1. From the (new) Adsense Program Policies:

"...if you have elected to receive content-based Adwords ads, this would also include all other content-targeted ads..."

So if I'm running a website and a page is about red widgets and I've setup the site's affiliate ads to relate to red widgets for that page, I'm in violation (I actually have this on some pages where affiliate ads related to what's on the page replace Adsense ads).

2. Deleted.

3. I'm operating under the assmption that once you have an Adsense account that you can use it on any site you own/control as long as it meets with Adsense guidelines. Is that true? I didn't see anything to indicate otherwise.

4. If it is true that Adsense approvals are not site-specific, can I approach other webmasters about adding my Adsense code to their site(s)?

TIA

[edited by: HughMungus at 9:53 pm (utc) on June 18, 2004]

[Visi]

Actually think it reads for item 2...We do allow affiliate or limited-text links.

[HughMungus]

Thanks Visi.

Regarding #1, I wonder if they meant to say "competing context-based NETWORKS or SYSTEMS" instead of ads.

Edit: What's a "limited-text" link?

[Visi]

I think the understanding of this clause is that....you cannot use competative "targeted ads networks" and previous discussions of this have never seen affiliates as an issue.

I really think that Google has the best...or worst lawyers writing this stuff. The best... if you want to leave room to manouver, the worst if the policies are supposed to be a standalone document. Guess it all depends on which side of the table you are:)

Definition: limited text ads....whatever they want it to be....lol

[HitProf]

I've interpreted that as one line or a few words, not looking like an adword. But I'd like ASA's comment on this?

[ddent]

Multiple accounts held by the same individual or entity are subject to immediate termination unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail).

You are a person. Your spouse is a person. Your children who have reached majority are persons (and those who haven't don't exist). Your company is a person (legally speaking).

What does that mean?

In terms of what the agreement actually states, yes, you can have an account. Your wife can also have an account. Your incorporated company can also have an account. Each of these are different people...

(IANALTINLA - I am not a lawyer this is not legal advice)

[aravindgp]

Jenstar,

Thank you for the post.Since I am not used to this kind of Legal Terms and Conditions,as I am based in totally different culture in India, it was a great relief to see what you write and how to interpret things.I have deligently read it more than 3 times.

I have a specific doubt?
If I accept Adsense Terms and Conditions, I am by default accepting WebSearch terms & conditions.This actually means if we are using adsense to display ads, we are not supposed to use any other search feature,like searchfeed, lookquick etc., even though we may not use WebSearch.

Are these assumptions true?

Regards,
Aravind

[Macro]

ddent, good point. Except that email correspondence with Google suggests they may not quite see it that clear cut way. And with "immediate termination" i.e. fraudulent click type "punishment" who wants to take a chance?

Good news, however. If you have an LTD company and a private website it looks like they will approve separate accounts in those circumstances. They have for me. I must add though that in my case there's a very clear difference between the two sites, they are on different subjects, much different in size, types of ads they attract etc.

[martinibuster]

I STILL HAVE TO SCROLL!

This is really annoying. It was fixed for a day or so, but I'm still experiencing the bad coding which forces me to scroll to the right.

What's going on?

[Powdork]

You have to scroll to the right?!
Was that the problem before or is that new? We were always talking about the fact that you would have to scroll down to see the data, not to the right. This is what has been fixed.
If I had to scroll to the right I would have quit long ago;).

[martinibuster]

I still have to scroll to the right. I didn't have this issue before. Now I have to scroll to the right.

Very annoying.

[Marcia]

What's absolutely not clear is whether if you opt for including Search whether it's inclusive of all your sites or whether it can be on some and not others, in the same way you can choose different ad sizes and color schemes for different sites. So is it

1. Some sites yes, some no or
2. All sites or nothing

That's still clear as mud and if it takes signing up to find out, then it's too late. No way is it going on all.

[morpheus83]

Too bad the adsense preview tool does not have option for image ads.

[Tom_Dalton]

willamowius --

You can have personal sites running AdSense. I applied with my personal site way back when, and a couple weeks ago received a nice follow-up to my initial rejection letter, telling me that I could participate now. :o)

[Eathan]

My company had one account.

We then started building some sites with another company as a joint venture. As our existing account only had 20 channels at the time and we wanted to give the other company access to the stats, we set up a second account.

Then, out of nowhere, Google approved my personal site application from a million years ago.

I wrote to Google asking if I could consolidate the accounts under one. The answer was that I could change out the ads, so all the sites use one account and, since earnings were below $100, wait seven months to get paid on the others. Ouch.

I also asked about the PO Box issue (small town without normal carrier routes). They didn't answer that part, so I still don't know if we'll be paid at all...

I hope they clarify some of the points raised going forward. That, and I hope they eventually give us an idea of how earnings are calculated. ;)

Cheers!