Okay To Place Ads on Page with Submit Form?

[marsradio]

Hello,

I'm unclear about whether it's allowed by Google for a publisher to place Adsense ads on a page that has a "Submit" form. For example, a page that people can send an email by filling in the text boxes with their name, city, email address, etc. and then typing in the body of their message in a text area box. Am I allowed to publish on such a page?
I know we can't publish on a thank-you page, nor can we publish on a "registration" page. But, if someone is simply filling out an email or submitting an entry for a contest, I'm wondering if that's allowed.
I see plenty of other sites publishing on these kinds of pages. I just don't want to be the one kicked off for breaking the rules.

[johnnie]

What do you hope to accomplish on such a page? People visiting your contact page are not very likely to want to click your ads. I know this doesn't answer your question, but all you'll likely be doing is lowering your CTR.

[marsradio]

This isn't a contact page exactly. For instance, sometimes my site hosts a contest - free to enter. A lot of times, other sites end up linking to our entry page - the page where folks type in their entry info. so they might have a chance to win whatever is being given away. Since a lot of traffic ends up directly landing on that sign-up page, then they are not seeing my ads. After they sign up, obviously, I can't put ads on the "thank-you" page.

[koan]

First you have to ask yourself, do you want people to sign up or click your ads? Because if they click an ad, they're exiting your site. Then it's mostly a matter of having enough content relevant to your topic on that page. For example, blog pages with a post and a comment form at the bottom is not a problem. A register or contact us page with just a form is probably not allowed, and it wouldn't make sense either.

[swa66]

As such a form+submit in itself is not going to be against the rules in itself. E.g. a site search on every page is going to not get you refused on your sign-up.

So the answer depends on the page itself.

[Bddmed]

I know we can't publish on a thank-you page

Here's what ASA mentioned about that:

As mentioned in the blog post, our policies were designed to prohibited the placement of ads on non-content pages, so you'll need to use your discretion to determine on which types of exit pages it would be appropriate to display Google ads.

For example, if "thank you" is the only text-based content on the page, adsense technology would not be able to serve relevant ads. However, if your sales confirmation pages also contain other text about your business or product, adsense can provide a relevant 'next step'.

[webmasterworld.com...]

[marsradio]

Thank you all...you have shed some light on this. I now think I get it. Whereas before, I thought it was categoricaly against the rules to have any Adsense ad show up on any page that had a form on it, I now realize that as long as there is relevant content pertaining to your site on this page as well, then it's okay.

Koan wrote: "First you have to ask yourself, do you want people to sign up or click your ads? Because if they click an ad, they're exiting your site."

Well, both, really. Most people will sign up. Some impulsive folks may see an ad they really like and click on it. I guess either way, we win.
I just look at any page within my site as "inventory." And, if I'm not able to monetize such pages, then I see little point of having them other than to maybe add value to the overall site. It's just that on some days when I see 20% of my overall traffic hitting one page, the business person in me wants to try to monetize some of that traffic. And, this page has tons and tons of content pertaining to the rest of my site. I just thought it was an no-no to put Adsense ads on it, and I've held back from doing so. But, in looking around, I see "eveyone else" doing it. So, I thought I would ask.
I really appreciate everyone's input here, and any more thoughts are most welcome and appreciated.
Have a great weekend!

[Green_Grass]

Too risky IMO , YMMV

Cheers..

[marsradio]

What do you feel is risky? That it may be a TOS violation?

[wyweb]

It's not about risky in my opinion. Even if it were allowed, and it's questionable whether it is, why would you even want to do this?

As johnnie pointed out... your CTR will tank. People going to this page aren't interested in ads. They're looking for a way they can submit information.

[swa66]

People going to this page aren't interested in ads. They're looking for a way they can submit information.

The vast majority of my visitors are unlikely to be interested in ads at all, yet they do click on them every so often.

[IanCP]

I think at best it would be a waste of time, a possible unnecessary distracraction and might even impact adversely on your earnings.

Why bother?

[Bddmed]

I host a form at the bottom of my FAQ page (for obvious reasons). This page does have content and happens to be my best paying page, CPC wise. I don't bother, just taking the money.

[Green_Grass]

"What do you feel is risky? That it may be a TOS violation? "

Google guidelines are so vague, subject to multiple interpretations, so it is best in my opinion to stay safe ( where ever there is doubt - avoid). However as others have pointed out, they are doing great with a similar, approach as yours ..

In this forum , you are not going to get an unequivocal yes or no.. Take a balanced decision depending upon your risk taking ability..

[Green_Grass]

My risk taking ability with adSense is very very low.. As you might have guessed ;-)

[Lame_Wolf]

The stupidest place I saw adsense was half way through someone's shopping cart.

[ken_b]

CTR: ads on a submit page might not have a negative effect. It might even increase overall CTR. It might depend on how many people view the submit page. It's possible the submit page will have a higher CTR than the site as a whole, depending on how the page is structured and how much actual relevant cont is on that page other than the submission form itself.

Actual relevant content might be the key to the whole question. Put enough actual relevant content on the page and there might not be anty reason to worry.

But this is AdSense, so proceed with caution :)