can we search our own search

[sunnydiv]

can we search our own search to see exactly what the result page looks like

*not clicking ads

[Jenstar]

You can, but it is not recommended. Of course, you cannot click on any of the ads the search results produce. Why not just use Google proper?

[OptiRex]

Why not just use Google proper?

My Adsense for search provides completely different header and footer results compared to the regular G search and different to the righthandside sponsored links.

He's being nosey...like me:-))

[anton23]

Using the Search box is clearly prohibited in the ToS. Do you really need to do that?

[FromRocky]

[quote] the Search box is clearly prohibited in the ToS {/quote]

What ToS?

[anton23]

The Google AdSenseTM Online Standard Terms and Conditions. Paragraph 5, i.

[FromRocky]

Paragraph 5, i doesn't say that I can not use the AdSense Search box.

[anton23]

It says "You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to: (i) directly or indirectly generate queries"

I understand this as you shall not use the search box. I apologize if I am wrong...

[OptiRex]

The reason why they request us not to use the search box is that it will generate a query click, which obviously adds to the overall statistics, however I think everyone does do it when they first install it to check the type of ads and results delivered...and to ensure it is working correctly since how else would we know?

Clicking on the paid for ads is obviously against the TOS/T&Cs.

[Sweet Cognac]

I installed my first search box on my site yesterday. Later when I went to check the stats there was nothing, no queries.

So then I went to my site and did a "site search" query and sure enough it wasn't working. So all day long my visitors were doing searches in a Google Search that wasn't working. Duh

I just should have checked it when I uploaded it, but I was afraid of doing it.

So I went back into the control panel to set up another one. And did I check it? I sure did, and it is working now. Did I break the TOS just to see if it is working?

[Rodney]

It says "You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to: (i) directly or indirectly generate queries"

I understand this as you shall not use the search box. I apologize if I am wrong...

Actually, the full part of section (i) of the terms say:

You shall not, and shall not authorize or encourage any third party to: (i) directly or indirectly generate queries, impressions of or clicks on any Search Results, Links and/or Ad(s) through any automated, deceptive, fraudulent or other invalid means, including but not limited to through repeated manual clicks, the use of robots or other automated query tools and/or computer generated search requests, and/or the unauthorized use of other search engine optimization services and/or software;

I put that last part in bold.

So while it does say you can't generate queries or impressions, it does on to say through automated, deceptive fraudulent or other invalid means (like through repeated manual clicks, bots, etc).

[Knappster]

Since ASA has explicitly stated that generating multiple impressions on your own site is allowed [webmasterworld.com], I can't imagine that checking your own search results would be against TOS. But once you've settled on a color scheme and confirmed it, I wouldn't tempt fate by using it regularly. (Also, it might skew your Top Queries report.)