Adsense ad serving stopped after 7 uninterrupted years

What do I do?

[vik_c]

I've been using AdSense since 2003. On September 7, I received a mail from Google informing me that one of my pages on my website had ads displayed in a manner than violated the policies of Google. Ad serving had not yet been disabled. As soon as I received this mail I removed the ad code from the page and four other pages where text ads were similarly displayed. I wrote to Google providing my publisher id asking for clarification on their policies. In less than a week of doing this, ad serving was disabled for the website. I wrote this time offering to make any changes required to comply with Google policies and expressing willingness to offer any information but haven't heard back yet.

Now it has been 3 weeks. Last week, I replaced the Google AdSense text ad code that was harmonious with my site's scheme with the default code just to play safe. The blue ads that you see all over the internet would show up but ad serving continues to be disabled on this website. Ads continue to be served on other websites I have.

This website generates over a million impressions a month and Google AdSense on it is an important source of revenue for me.

I tried posting on the AdSense help forum and have received answers but none specific to my case. One of the volunteers there thinks my website is 'dodgy' but I disagree. We provide original and quality content related to dating and astrology.

How long do you think before I hear from Google?

[Green_Grass]

Maybe you haven't seen this?

[webmasterworld.com...]

It all depends upon whether you are able to get visibility with the limited no. of adsense staff with the authority to do anything..

[Edge]

There is a "disabled accounts" section within Google AdSense forum discussion categories.

I get the feeling we individual publishers are not very high on the importance meter at GG.

[vik_c]

There is a "disabled accounts" section within Google AdSense forum discussion categories.

I have posted there.

I get the feeling we individual publishers are not very high on the importance meter at GG.

Yes. I guess it's the websites that generate over 20 million impressions - the Google Adsense Premium publishers who can talk to someone. My website isn't anywhere close to that mark. It looks like it's going to be a long wait.

[Swanny007]

vik_c, what was the policy violation if you don't mind my asking? About 4 years ago I got that email and they specifically stated what was wrong. We were able to work things out within a day, and ad serving wasn't disabled.

I e-mailed AdSense support about a week ago on a reporting issue, never heard back. I've actually e-mailed them twice more since that (actually 9 days ago now) and still haven't heard back.

I have no idea why AdSense support is nonexistent, that's no way to run a business.

[netmeg]

Almost ALL Google support is non-existent now. Most AdWords advertisers don't have support now either. None for Analytics. I did get some help with a Custom Search Engine issue, but I had to work through some back channels to get it. Oh, and I had a problem with Ad Planner and was mentioning it on twitter and someone from Google contacted me about it.

But overall, Google and support are two words that should seldom appear in the same sentence.

[vik_c]

vik_c, what was the policy violation if you don't mind my asking? About 4 years ago I got that email and they specifically stated what was wrong. We were able to work things out within a day, and ad serving wasn't disabled.

The first mail I received provided a link to a page on my website and mentioned that ads were being displayed in a manner that was not compliant with their policies. That's all it really said. There was nothing specific mentioned. It said the page was an example and the 'same violations may exist on other pages of your website.' The ad was at the beginning of the page and the content followed below the ad. To be safe, I removed the ad code from the page mentioned and four other pages where it was similarly positioned. Those pages weren't bringing significant revenue and I didn't want to take a chance. The same day I wrote to Google to ask for a clarification. In less than a week ad serving was disabled to the entire website. I have since then changed the ad code to make it default blue (if the ads show up). The earlier code was red in color and harmonious with my website.

[maximillianos]

This post freaked me out. I just spent the morning reviewing all my ad placements and the Adsense placement policies, etc.

I know it does not help you, but thanks for this reminder to review our site.

[Future]

It all depends upon whether you are able to get visibility with the limited no. of adsense staff with the authority to do anything..

what do you mean ?

[Green_Grass]

Very few people in adsense team these days..too many problems.. all automated systems.. difficult to get human review. Long wait..Very difficult to get attention of someone with the ability and authority to review decisions.

[Freedom]

Bump. Any update?

[vik_c]

Not heard back from Google. I posted in their forums but the people who look after the forums are volunteers and not employees of Google. They can guide me but can't do anything about my account. Ad serving remains disabled on this website although ads are being served on my other websites. This is an important site for me with over 1 million impressions a month. Can't do anything. There is a rep from Google AdSense here, I believe. How do I reach out to him?

[leadegroot]

There is a rep from Google AdSense here, I believe. How do I reach out to him?

Sadly, we don't seem to have an Adsense Advisor here at the moment :(

[leadegroot]

delete duplicate

[alika]

Are you sure it's the placement of the ads on that page, not the content of that page?

[vik_c]

Are you sure it's the placement of the ads on that page, not the content of that page?

I'm sure. That's what the email I received said. I don't know if I can quote the email here. To summarize, the email specifically told me I couldn't 'disguise the ads' in any way. It said nothing about the content. My website has original and quality content. I was also asked to review the remaining pages on the site. I did so. In fact I removed the ad code altogether from pages that were displaying ads in a manner that apparently violated Google policies. There were five such pages. I also changed to the default ad layout throughout the site just to ensure everything would be fine.

[vivalasvegas]

To summarize, the email specifically told me I couldn't 'disguise the ads' in any way.

How did you disguise the ads? Same color scheme as your menu links? No borders? etc?

Thanks.

[vik_c]

How did you disguise the ads? Same color scheme as your menu links? No borders? etc?

I didn't disguise them. The color scheme was the same as my website. They were at the beginning of the page. Title of the page followed by the ad block followed by content. This was seen as 'disguising' apparently by the bot.

[ken_b]

Title of the page followed by the ad block...

That might be the problem, or part of it.

Here is a AdSense page [adsense.blogspot.com] that might shed some light on the issue.

[vik_c]

That might be the problem, or part of it.

I figured that one out. Ad serving hadn't been disabled when I received the notice. There were five pages in my 2500 plus page website that had ads below the title. I removed the ad code altogether from the five pages after receiving their mail, on the same day. In less then a week thereafter ads stopped serving throughout the site. I wrote to them twice, once seeking a clarification (before the ad serving was stopped) and once after. Received no replies.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

A million impressions a month on a site Google finds questionable might be a sign that content needs improvement or is not unique enough, much like the youtube script that went around a year ago.

[vik_c]

Just received a mail from Google that ad serving has been re-enabled. Thank you Google!

[mhale]

THANK YOU for the update, vik_c! I am glad to know that, even though it took a while, things were restored for you. That is good to hear.

[vik_c]

Yes, it's a relief! It did take a while but I guess it's because there are so many publishers and I'm not in the premium (20 million plus) bracket by far.