Pop up DIV layer appearing in front of ads. Is this against TOS?

[frakilk]

Hi guys I'd like to get your opinion on this: on a page I have a clickable thumbnail which when clicked displays an enlarged version of the thumbnail in a pop-up layer. The layer completely covers the AdSense unit on that page. Note that it is a DIV layer and not a pop-up window.

Does the fact that is obscures the AdSense unit go against TOS? The TOS does say "Elements on a page must not obscure any portion of the ads." but does this mean when the page is initially loaded and not during the actual navigation of the page?

Thanks muchly!

[netmeg]

Why risk it?

[LifeinAsia]

Definitely don't do it- change the div size or location so that it doesn't obscure the ads.

[HowYesNo]

this is not against the tos, thousands of sites have this type of zoom

[frakilk]

Hmmmm seems like there is no definitive answer on this. I think I will move the ad unit *well* down the page or just not do it at all, that would be the safest. Thanks for your input everyone.

[LifeinAsia]

thousands of sites have this type of zoom

"Other people are doing it" is not a valid defense when you get banned. But I suppose you'd at least have thousands of other people to commiserate with.

Hmmmm seems like there is no definitive answer on this.

You would probably get a definitive answer by contacting Google directl;y and asking. If you get a response back that it's okay, make sure you save that response for the future in case you ever get a "you've been banned" letter from them because of it.

[edited by: LifeinAsia at 3:27 pm (utc) on July 16, 2008]

[Jean]

If your layer does not create a risk that viewers accidentally click on the ads (and I guess that if the ad is completely covered it won't) then it is probably OK.
But why not just ask AdSense support and then you'll know for sure?

[nomis5]

Thanks to the OP, unknowingly I'm doing this on a couple of my pages and popular ones.

Is it OK? The answer is a no-brainer. First off, if it's obscuring a Google ad then it will only reduce your income. On that count alone it's a no no. Second, it may contravene the TOS, so why take the time to look at the small print, just don't do it.