Contacting Old AdWords Advertisers

I used to show they're ads, now I don't

[tomequin]

Last year at this time the ads I presented were very well targeted for my sites visitor base.
The ads I publish now are mostly my competitiors. I haven't seen any "right on target" ads for close to a year. Just generalized content ads that do, in a very broad and general way, fit my site.
My question is: Am I allowed to contact these older advertisers? I haven't seen any of they're ads on my sites for close to a year. Or would contacting them cause me to get booted from AdSense?
Thank you for any advice or knowledge.

[bts111]

There could be many reasons why they are not displaying on your site. Why not email Google and ask them?

[Lipik]

I think contacting the advertisers is forbidden by Adsense TOS

[mhhfive]

how many of your old advertisers do you remember? Did you track all of them? If so, how...?

[ronburk]

I think contacting the advertisers is forbidden by Adsense TOS

Only if you contact them "regarding any Ad(s) or Link(s) displayed in connection with Your Site(s)"

If you think the Terms and Conditions forbids talking to your advertisers about any other topic under the sun (including would they like to buy ads from you directly), please cite the relevant T&C chapter and verse for our mutual edification.

[incrediBILL]

Considering the only reason you knew about these advertisers was from AdSense on your web site I would suggest contacting them is a real slippery slope with the TOS. They may still be advertisers in AdSense, just not on your site as they can block your domain for any reason, low ROI being one of them.

[Heartlander]

//the only reason you knew about these advertisers was from AdSense on your web site //

If that was the case, then a publisher shouldn't expect much anyway.
In my niche, I'd like to think I've already contacted thousands of potential advertisers before even hearing about AdSense.

It actually worked for a time until AdWords came along.
Correction- I stopped canvassing, so that could be my fault.
For the pittance I'm getting as a publisher, I'm beginning to wonder if banner ads are TRULY an archaic method of advertising, as people have been claiming.
Perhaps less time trying to look pretty for AS and more time spent drumming up real money is in order.

[ann]

Heartlander,

when I eliminated most of the banners (adsense) and went with skys and adlinks my income took an upward turn and is still climbing.

Ann

[incrediBILL]

I'm beginning to wonder if banner ads are TRULY an archaic method of advertising

Banners have been archaic long before the banner industry even knew they were dead.

I've been selling sponsored text links long before AdSense showed up and they always, without doubt, outperformed the banners and they always have.