Pleading for multiple tracking IDs

what's the problem? some webmasters would like privacy

[KeithDouglas]

Why, O why can't Google provide AdSense partners with multiple tracking IDs?

My problem: I operate two websites. Both are entirely legal. Colleagues at work know about website "A" but don't know about website "B". Website "A" is a website about a hobby I enjoy and is a topic completely separate from my work. Website "B" is related to the industry in which I work, and I would prefer that my employer not know that I operate it. (I don't do anything illegal or unethical, but there may be opinions expressed that my employer would not appreciate.)

I run AdSense on "A" and would like to do so on "B" but I think there's a real possibility that some clever folks where I work know enough about AdSense to figure out that the same tracking ID in the AdSense ads on both sites indicate that the same person operates both: me.

I know I could open an AdSense account in my wife's name, I could open an account in a business name. But why can't Google just give me a separate tracking ID?

?

[Curiosity]

Good question! I'd like multiple IDs myself. Why not ask Google directly?

[KeithDouglas]

I have. I got a polite reply. They don't do it.

[wildfiction]

Is Keith Douglas your real name :)

If so you aren't being very discrete (from your employer) about what you're doing.

I would suggest that you use your wife in the meantime. I assume that you're already familar with channels and are using those for reporting but just don't want someone to match your pub-id to the 2 different web site right?

[frox]

the publisher ID is visible, but it's not something one could search for, in Google or in other SE, afaik.

So, it would require them to get a "hint" to know what your other site is. I would worry more about other traces like whois info, re-used nicknames and similar things that are easier to trace.

[Broadway]

If there is any money involved spend some of it on forming a corporation (c or s). Corporations are legal entities and Adsense will give that entity their own Adsense account.

[Broadway]

You know, I don't really feel so strongly about this issue (the need for multiple ID's) but now that the coming of Yahoo Adsense seems likely I'm just tired of Adsense.

I think back over the (almost two) years I've participated. The first year expecting the dreaded "fraudulent clicks email" each day. All that time when channels didn't exist. All that time that channel data was delayed two days. The fact that every time you started to make good money somehow the Adsense rules changed so your income got knocked back down. All sorts of just dumb crap that shouldn't have been.

The adsense money has been great and almost life changing for me but all of the garbage involved with the program just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. For better or worse I'm ready for the next generation of this type of advertising. Something who's workings are more transparent and above board.