Can I customize AdSense for a search engine?

AdSense customization for search engines

[canthavejust1]

I have a small search engine. Currently I'm publishing AdSense but the returns aren't relevant. I've looked through their Help pages but can't find how to send them a variable (search term) so they'll send back relevant ads.

The larger search engines can do this, but is it possible for a smaller search engine to deliver relevant ads?

Thanks for any help.

[robotsdobetter]

No, your not allowed.

[incrediBILL]

You would have to be a premium publisher to do that.

However, what you can do it make a bunch of subject search links into your search and Google will crawl those links and index those specific words. So, if you know what your most popular search topics are you can make a page of links for those topics.

[canthavejust1]

Thanks for the responses. I've been marketing online for a few years now, but just started using AdSense. And I hate asking dumb questions.

Thanks again.

[jenkers]

whoops - I thought they'd changed the rules on this a few months ago. Time for a quick code change and a letter to Adsense support to clarify...

[ClosedGL]

Bear in mind that the Adsense bots that comb your pages to decide what ads to give you, also look at the URL of your page. If you are using POST on your search form then essentially the search terms are hidden from Google. However, if you use GET, then the search terms get appended to the end of your URL (e.g: example.com/?q=webmaster+world). This can help Google deliver results which are a little more focused (providing those searching use terms relevant to your site).

[ann]

sounds like something you should ask in the ww PHP section

[Alioc]

Place the $search_keyword$ or-whatever variable into your title and keywords tags on your search results template file. Also make the $search_keyword$ an H1 tag just above the search results. That will help a lot. -Not only for better AdSense targeting... especially if your engine supports remote execution.

[canthavejust1]

Good idea, ann. I'll try that if these other ideas don't work.

Placing the variable in the tags makes sense. I can't see why they'd have a problem with that. That's no different than the other pages with tags that they crawl to determine what ads to serve.

Thanks GL and Alioc.

[canthavejust1]

oh, and jenkers, let us know if you hear otherwise.

[traderman]

Just for the record, Google do now allow Adsense to be placed on search results pages - this rule was changed well over a year ago.....

[jenkers]

I was under the impression that this was ok - but I've removed Adsense code from my search engine and emailed Adsense support to check (I nearly soiled myself when I thought I could have been breaking the TOS) - will post their definitive answer here when they respond.

[Celicaphile]

I had something similar come up recently and was told by Google that you cannot have Google search along w/ any other Internet search service, i.e. RevenuePilot. It is; however, okay to have it along w/ another site specific search, i.e. eBay.

[canthavejust1]

I'll take it off my engine. I don't want to take a chance about that either, jenk. But it sounds like I could put it on my 'info only' site that has its own 'search this site' feature. So if someone searches my site, G can return relevant results.

[jenkers]

I don't think its a problem - but I did get to thinking that although its ok to put on search results for your own site search it might not be the same for full-blown web SERPS which I was doing - still waiting for clarification.

[jenkers]

the Great G has spoken - Adsense is allowed on search results so long as the page does not break the terms and conditions.

They did not note the differentiation between site search results and web search results that I expicitly asked about - ergo I'm happy to put adsense back on my search engine...

canthave - if you're still having problems getting ads related to your searches give me a shout - I might be able to help you out.

[incrediBILL]

Oh well, a lot of my site is search and I explained how I monetized it.

Static links to canned searches, the engines pick it up, you get more SERPs, AdSense loves it. Sorry if it doesn't work for the rest of you as I'm closing in on the UPS club with this method so do whatever you want, it's ok, I didn't spend 6 months evolving this technique for my health, unless you consider a healthy check from Google part of your health :)

Your mileage may vary.

[Celicaphile]

hmmm...

This was the response I got:

In response to your questions, currently, AdSense publishers may also display alternate search products, such as an eBay search box, as long as you do not add other internet search services.

and earlier:

Please also be aware that, as stated in our program policies, AdSense publishers may not display the AdSense for search box on sites already containing other internet search services.

Bill,
are your "canned" searches going to another Internet search service, or a google search?

[incrediBILL]

are your "canned" searches going to another Internet search service, or a google search?

They go direct to my database - it's industry specific information, and I have a search of my own on the page. No Google search or anything like that.

[Celicaphile]

oh ok, a site search... that's what I figured after I posted... They're obviously okay w/ that, but it seems we've received conflicting info regarding Internet search services...

[jenkers]

looks like we're all talking at cross purposes. I (and I believe the thread-opener) were talking about putting adsense on our own independently spidered web results - not using a search service or any third party search-box.

[Celicaphile]

I would assume, and maybe that's my problem, that Google would look at any other Internet search, including your own, as an Internet search service other than Google's... see what I mean? Even if you own/wrote the script, it's not Google's search & if it's searching outside of one specific site, it would be an "other" Internet search service. That's what I got out of the response I received from Google... Perhaps I should also mention that I originally contacted them about adding Adsense to a metasearch script that I was considering to purchase and run from my site, completely unbranded, as my own Internet search. However, the company that wrote the script implies that Google's "sponsored ads" can be integrated, but I don't know if that refers to Adsense, nor do I know if Google approves of them doing so, or even making that claim... That's why I contacted them in the first place.

[canthavejust1]

From reading jenkers' response from G, I too thought they'd allow it on a site search, but not on your own engine. My little engine has feed from another free search database, as well as paid feed from another vendor. (sorry if I didn't properly communicate that earlier) I also have my own sponsored results. I haven't built my own database, (and with G's filed patent, I'm not sure if they've left any way I can do that without stepping on their toes...but that's another thread.)

Early in this thread someone said what I was looking for could be done if I were a high roller with them. My volume isn't there yet.

There does still seem to be some question as to what exactly they allow. Too bad Gguy wasn't here to settle it.

BTW...jenkers, I stickied you.