Calling attention to AdSense search boxes. OK?

[farmboy]

Over on the AdSense blog recently, I read about a site that won a contest ran by AdSense. I went to this site, assuming it was a model AdSense would want others to follow.

Above the Google search box on the home page was the following text:

"Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search:"

I've neen operating under the assumption that text such as that was calling attention to the search box and thus in opposition to the TOS. Am I wrong?

FarmBoy

[YesMom]

Hi, Farmboy!

I don't think the T&C have anything against drawing attention to a search box. That has nothing to do with drawing attention to ads. I have done it on my site a long time.

YM

[farmboy]

I don't think the T&C have anything against drawing attention to a search box. That has nothing to do with drawing attention to ads. I have done it on my site a long time.

I haven't done that - maybe that's why my earnings from Search have been less than stellar.

But it sure seems like an area that's ripe for abuse.

As one example, suppose I have a site about widgets, I know that "red widgets" clicks seem to have a high EPC yet I get few ads for red widgets on my site based on my content. I could simply put a Search box prominently on the page with "Search here for red widgets" just above the box.

It's a way to almost bypass the contextual aspect. If you don't like the ads showing on your site, just put up a search box and suggest a search topic.

On the other hand, maybe a lot of people are already doing this, I'm clueless and I just made a lot of people mad by discussing this technique openly. :)

Merry Christmas!

FarmBoy

[edited by: farmboy at 2:39 pm (utc) on Dec. 23, 2007]

[farmboy]

I'm curious to read the thoughts of others on this.

In the meantime, I'll throw in a related question - If I put an AdSense search box on my site and someone conducts a search, will the results include ads from advertisers who have opted out of the content network?

FarmBoy

[Hobbs]

To your second question: Yes, this becomes the search network.

For your first question, logic says that inviting your visitors to search is very different than inviting them to click ads.

[farmboy]

For your first question, logic says that inviting your visitors to search is very different than inviting them to click ads.

I agree.

Does logic say that inviting your visitors to click AdLinks is very different than inviting them to click ads?

FarmBoy

-------

Added: Logic, or maybe it's instinct, tells me this is so ripe for abuse that Google would/does prohibit it.

[rocker]

I think Google would not like us encouraging visitors to use the search box. Where would Google draw the line on bringing attention to the search box?

Is this going to far? :)

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[FourDegreez]

I asked and got the answer back that it's okay to call attention to the search box with text like "search this site." I don't know about prompting a search for certain keywords.

[farmboy]

...with text like "search this site."...

And since the text I mentioned in the first post on this thread was on a site that won an AdSense contest, it would seem obvious that text is acceptable also.

This is probably another one of those areas where Google is going to remain vague on the instructions.

FarmBoy

[Hobbs]

One nono I know of is pre-filling the search box.

[Green_Grass]

I have seen pre filling of Search boxes by 'premium' publisher.

But I guess the rules are diffn. and it is NOT really a level playing field.

But..I understand from a thread already running that we are all ants in an ant box and it is better to stay quiet and take what we can get..

[Hobbs]

who said this crap?
;-)

[ArtistMike]

I have put search phrases and words "close" to the search box for years.

Mike

[koan]

Hum interesting question. I have used "If you can't find something specific, try the google search" for some time now. I never considered this might be against TOS. Then again, I think a general invitation to a site feature is different than pushing keywords, or worse, adlinks. Some searches will not even produce ads, and the google search is a very good tool that some newbies may overlook without a small intro praising its usefulness.

[farmboy]

I mentioned the contest winner having the following on the site:

"Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search:"

Is that significantly different from:

"Can't find the widget you're looking for? Try our search:"

FarmBoy

[MikeNoLastName]

I find it interesting that this IS allowed, when they specifically told me, upon asking, that it was NOT permitted to draw attention to the Google Adwords signup referral link (which is purely a commission on signing up and advertising, NOT a PPC) from our own "advertise on our site" page, simply to explain that Adwords was ANOTHER option of advertsing on our site besides our direct ad sales. I decided if they don't wan't our referrals scrw'em and took it off altogether.

Due to their support dept. inconsistency, ask again and you'll probably get another answer. Just keep asking until you get the answer you want. :) ...and then save it in your inbox for future reference.

[ecmedia]

Actually you can now create a search engine with Google coop and simply drive traffic to it, according to Google. And if there is any money made through AdSense it is yours to keep. So you don't even need a content website to ask people to search.

[Hobbs]

>NOT permitted to draw attention to the Google Adwords signup

how long ago was that?
I think Google referral products endorsement is now allowed.