Google Approved Adsense Website

Can I post that without contravening the TOS?

[NeverHome]

Can anybody find any clause of fine print in the TOS or Policy page or wherever that would prohibit me from boldy proclaiming my site as a "Google Approved AdSense Site", or words to that effect? It's just a statement of fact, isn't it?

[cornwall]

I think your best bet is to email Google and ask, rather than rely on people's interpretation here

Google reply within 24 hours usually, and if you get the reply from the horse's mouth, then thre is no danger of them taking action against you!

[Blue_Fin]

From the TOS:

17. Miscellaneous. Any decision made by Google under this Agreement shall be final. Google shall have no liability for any such decision. Except as required by law, You may not, without Google's prior written consent, issue any press release or make any public statement about Google or any Google product or service or use or display any Google logo or trademark in any manner (except as otherwise provided to You by Google as part of an Ad Unit)...

[NeverHome]

Blue-Fin, so, does "free speech" contravene the Google TOS, do you think? My site was approved by Google as acceptable for the Adsense program - I am proud of that and simply want to state that fact. I want to reinforce that fact to my visitors, that the advertising used on my site is qualified, and not just another shoddy ripoff affiliate scam ("click here and watch a thousand popup windows spontaneously explode!"). I am simply looking to amplify the "Ads by Google" link with a qualifying statement. Anyway, maybe I will try to email them about it...

[GrantNZ]

I did mention in the history pages on/of our site/company that we were approved on this date, etc. Mentioning a milestone. It was not press released, but something we thought was important enough in our history/changes/achievements. I'd like to think that was okay.

[Visit Thailand]

NeverHome I think the Ads by Google says it all, no need to elaborate.

It would be nice but also silly if we could send out press releases saying sites were now featuring G ads but am sure they already know that it would be exggerated so best not to do it.

NeverHome the TOS is quite clear if you still wish to pursue your goal of going against the TOS so be it that is your decision to make.

[Blue_Fin]

Blue-Fin, so, does "free speech" contravene the Google TOS, do you think?

If your definition of free speech includes something specifically prohibited by the Google TOS, you bet it does.

You can say anything you want on your website. Google can terminate you if they feel you are violating the terms of their program and their decision is final. So it's your decision if you want to risk any income that you may otherwise earn.

As they say, don't bite the hand that feeds you.

[audri]

Ken Evoy's (sitesell.com) daughter did something similar with a little Java applet and was asked by Google to remove it.

[Jon_King]

Neverhome,

You cannot promote AdSense. That means: boldy proclaiming my site as a "Google Approved AdSense Site" --- is not allowed.

Your intentions do not matter. Your bold statement of "Google Approved AdSense Site" IS a form of promotion. You cannot do that.

[Visi]

Free speech...and legal documents? Go ahead, exercise your right to "free speech", Google will exercise their rights under the TOS. Seems fair to me:)

[bragov]

NeverHome, your Ads by Google are beautifully integrated into your site design, and nobody could possibly fail to see them; I don't know why you would want to screw up something that's in perfect taste as it is.

[NeverHome]

I guess I am just testing the boundaries. :) I saw the 'sitesell' thingy today, and it sort of put cold water on what I was thinking to do. But anyway, all power to the hand that feeds me! I had never made a cent from my site before Adsense, and now I feel that I am making a few much appreciated pennies, but still with my honour intact. Thank you Google!

[MonkeeSage]

NeverHome:

You can still probably do what you are wanting to but Google may just change it TOS and still ask you to stop. But right now you can happily skip through the loophole. Of course, I totally discourage doing so and I'm not gonna take responsibility in any way for anything you may choose to do (nothing personal, of course, just covering the bases).

Look carefully at the TOS item that was cited and your original thoughts...

Here is what you wanted to put:
"Google Approved AdSense Site"

Here's what Google says:
"[...] Except as required by law, You may not, without Google's prior written consent, issue any press release or make any public statement about Google or any Google product or service or use or display any Google logo or trademark in any manner [...]"

Now to do a bit of comparing...

You:
"Google [...]"

Them:
"[...] public statement about Google [...]"

And...

You:
"[...] AdSense [...]"

Them:
"[...] any Google product or service [...]"

Now..let's just think for a minute...I have heard people describe Google as 'the world's largest search engine' or 'the world's most popular search engine' ... and AdSense is a 'affiliate advertising program' I believe...

So...purely hypothetically speaking...one could convey the same message by saying something to the effect of:

"This site approved by the affiliate advertising program of the world's most popular search engine!"

Of course...this is all just a mental exercise and I totally discourage actually using anything in this post on your site, and if you do so you take all responsibility for it. :)

Jordan

[chiyo]

What's the gain? From what I see, it's not even close to an exclusive club, and *to paraphrase Groucho) im not sure I would want to belong to a club that has some other sites I've seen as members. ;)

[NeverHome]

Hehe! Stop monkeying about, Jordan! It's a jungle out there! I am not about to ape the ideas of the first mandrill to drop from the trees! ;)

[MonkeeSage]

LOL! :D

I wouldn't recommend such guerilla tactics anyhow, as they are so primate-ive, and Google is usually not very opposable in such matters. Hehe. ;)

Jordan