Forum Moderators: martinibuster
If someone was looking for something on my site and couldn't find it, a search box configured to "search this site" by default would be a user friendly asset on this page right?
I know you can't have "ads" in non content pages... but if the page is customized with the same layout and navigation menus as the rest of the site, along with a little sentence informing the user that the page does not exist, is that enough? Does the search box really require content? It's not exactly contextual at this point.
I found all sorts of answers on the web, but it's pretty chaotic, and could not find anything official from Google.
You are also allowed to put a non AdSense search box and pre-fill it if you like.
You are not allowed to pre-fill AdSense for search boxes.
Is AFS allowed on 404 pages, my guess given the above would be yes, why not as long as you don't pre-fill it and it has 'some content'.
Reliable replies come from Google not me.
Actually it turns out you are allowed to put ads on error pages as long as you got "some content" in there. That was recently news for me.
Do you have a linked reference from Google with that statement? I think I've read the same thing you have in regards to AdSense on Error Pages. In fact, I just recently dug through the Webmaster Help files to see if I could find specific references where they say it is allowed, I could not.
Actually it turns out you are allowed to put ads on error pages as long as you got "some content" in there. That was recently news for me.
Very little info but this is also the answer I found which was based on an email answer from Google support. Apparently, as long as your 404 page has sufficient content for the ad to be able to contextually pick up the theme, apparently it's fine even to put normal ads.
However, I am not looking into put normal ads, as I find it a bit... pushy.. or let's just say, in bad taste.
An Adsense Google search box, however, would be a perfect fit.
It'd be nice for AdsenseAdvisor to chime in on this one.
or from the Referral Button to the Referral Page; (v) display any Ad(s), Link(s), or Referral Button(s) on any error page, on any registration or "thank you" page
Key threads are:
[webmasterworld.com...] and ASA in [webmasterworld.com...] says
so you'll need to use your discretion to determine on which types of exit pages it would be appropriate to display Google ads
So in conclusion:
Ads on error pages was prohibited then became ok when ASA said "use your discretion", which makes it vague but if you have enough content you can build a case for it, I'm yet to monetize error pages, and if I ever do, I'd need an email confirming I can get away with it tucked in a safe.
Wow you've dug that from the Terms and Conditions page, not exactly a very easy page to read. Good work.
I agree, using my "discretion" is not something I would risk my account over, unless, as we say, I get written confirmation from Google, get it notarized and put it in a golden frame that was blessed by a priest.
In my internal site search when I am serving my visitors a nothing found results page, is it ok to fill an AFS box with the exact query my visitor had entered , in my view that's not pre-filling as the visitor is the one already to enter that search term, and since I have nothing for them I might as well give them Google search as an option.
Sorry koan for the additional question.
Sorry koan for the additional question.
Actually I've always wondered that too. I used to do exactly that some years ago (using the search term) until I learned you couldn't "pre-fill" the search form and I stopped, however, I always thought that pre-filling the search form with the term of a previous search that returned empty results from the native search function (or just to offer it as a complementary option for searching) on a site was rather user friendly practice. But I understand how that would be prone to abuse. It just never crossed my mind (I wouldn't be a very good black hatter)
404 - Does Page Content Matter?
[webmasterworld.com...]
the Google Enhanced 404 gadget pre-populates the search box with the search query
But it's missing one vital feature: it doesn't put nickel and dimes in your pocket.
But it's missing one vital feature: it doesn't put nickel and dimes in your pocket.
Ah, come join me at about 16:45 here at the exit ramp for the 5S. We can panhandle together and pick up lots of nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars and food to boot! Heck, within 2 hours, we could make about $50.00 USD, have dinner and something to warsh it all down with. That's a heck of a lot better than an AdSense Unit on a 404 Error Page. And, we get to do some Social Networking in the process. :)
All kidding aside, if you really think about this, there are some risks involved. I can see all sorts of abuse taking place. Not only from Webmasters themselves but from external sources too. That's why we can't find anything in writing. If you do it, there is a chance that you will get your account whacked. Of course it is all relative to implementation. But, how do you stop the external abuse that may occur?
But, how do you stop the external abuse that may occur?
I didn't plan on pre-filling the search box as I'm aware it's prohibited. But don't you think a search box with a "search on this site" option checked by default makes sense on a 404 page? I know about the other widget option but like I said, it's not part of the adsense program.
