I was wondering what I should do to get around an adwords ban. let me quickly explain what happened. I intentionally resubmitted an ad that was disapproved multiple times, but not with bad intent. I did not mean for it to repeatedly violate the Google TOS. They sent me emails when my ads were disapproved so I would edit them and resubmit them. Then one day I just stopped getting impressions and when i contacted them about it, they said I was banned.
I've read most, if not all the threads in here about Google bans. Do you guys know what I should do? I've contacted Adwords and told them I wouldn't do it again, but they just don't seem to want me to give me a chance again(or the people I talk to all don't have the "power" to reactivate my account). I have been polite and honest. I really didn't mean to violate the Google TOS and I was relying on it as a source of income to pay my way through college.
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I guess my main question is why Adwords bans advertisers forever, without giving them more than one chance? Can't they give out a temp ban for one month as a warning and then regard further acts against the TOS more severely?
I ask this because when they ban advertisers that really did not intentionally violate the TOS, the advertisers can do nothing but find ways around the system. And ways around the system include paying for accounts that are already activated with credit from coupons in them(which is definitely bad for Google) and working around the ban situation and finding ways to exploit certain aspects of Adwords.
For instance, in my situation where I really do not wish to violate the TOS anymore, what am I to do?
1)Get reinstated--but they all the reps I spoke to said they won't reinstate me and do not know when I will be reinstated(which I think they mean that I'm banned forever)
2) Stop using adwords and go with other online advertising companies--Possible, but for a lot of us who depend on adwords for our income, we are screwed and this does not seem very viable. For instance, at the point I am at now, if I cannot get back into Adwords, I might have to drop out of college.
3) Find a way around the ban.
Which seems to be the most appealing? And how would I go about the option that you think looks most appealing?
Frankly, that exactly happened to me when I began. I reedited ads/keywords without carefully reading what was the cause of the disapproved ads. And failed a couple of times after I realized my mistake.
Luckily for me, I didn't reach their patience limit.
Hi JarjarB ,
Why worry? You can open new adwords account.
I intentionally resubmitted an ad that was disapproved multiple times... I did not mean for it to repeatedly violate the Google TOS.
it was true that my keyword list did contain some keywords (15/1500+ keywords) that violated the TOS
...it was my site(my site gets some information dynamically) and it contained some words that were against the TOS
I don't know, sounds like he was doing quite a few things that might have made Google a bit suspicious of his intentions.
ways around the system include paying for accounts that are already activated with credit from coupons in them(which is definitely bad for Google) and working around the ban situation and finding ways to exploit certain aspects of Adwords.
And it sounds like he *still* has some questionable intentions when it comes to using Adwords.
I think the ban was warranted from what he has posted here.
I'm not looking to argue, so hopefully this will not come off as rude. I just want to clarify.
I think you quoted somethings out of context. Some of the things on my site and what not did violate the TOS, but once again, I did not know and sincerely was trying to fix it each time I resubmitted my ads. Everytime I thought I finished fixing, I just resubmitted. True, maybe it did appear suspicious, but I did not intentionally violate the TOS(but I DID intentionally submit the ad)
I don't think I have questionable intentions when it comes to Adwords. Just that I think the way Adwords bans people makes people work around it because that is there only option. I am only pointing that out and have not done anything with questionable intentions. The thing you quoted last was just somethings that people do do, but that I do not do and would not consider doing.w
Unfortunately you didn't get to fix things before they banned you. I think that Google should understand that they may need to give more specific information at times if they truly want us to fix or avoid a violation. The vague approach does not work in all cases. (Does it work in any?)
And thanks exmoorbeast for your suggestion and encouragement.
[edited by: eWhisper at 12:59 pm (utc) on Feb. 9, 2007]
I haven't everused the sticky option, but I sure as would do this if I were you. It only takes a while to read through the threads.
I heard a readio interview from the head of adsense and he described the appeal process. It turns out taht many appeals are successful, so yes, do try this route!
Good luck
[edited by: eWhisper at 12:59 pm (utc) on Feb. 9, 2007]
Probably the use of coupons acquired from various sources could be a big problem.
You are using yahoo and msn as well as 3rd tier PPC engines to drive traffic to your site correct?
I go to Johns Hopkins right now as a freshman(not sure if you heard about it or not) but in the east coast of US, it is a pretty good school. To drop out would mean going to a school that quite sub par...and also possibly not being able to have a chance to go to Med school as I had originally planned(no chance because of money and because of education quality)
Yeah, so i get depressed=(
You should be able to get a loan to cover your educational costs, of course it's more expensive in the long run, but it depends on the value you put upon your education.
My first post may have seemed unsympathetic, I'm not. If you continue to have problems then a legal and TOS compliant way to deal with this would be to sell the business to a third party who would then be permitted to open their own adwords account.
What else do you think I can do now being that I have already tried contacting Google reps and they have said that they really can't do anything and I really need to get back in if possible?
By the way, after I found out why I was suspended, I immediately deleted all the campaign associated with the stuff against the TOS and all the keywords in that adgroup too. Anything else I can do now?
[edited by: eWhisper at 4:13 pm (utc) on Feb. 9, 2007]
Just that I think the way Adwords bans people makes people work around it because that is there only option.
Google AdWords doesn't MAKE anyone try to circumvent the system because they broke TOS repeatedly. That's a personal choice (and that statement says something about you and your choices right there) Take your (deserved) lumps. Participating in the program is not some kind of a right. Why should they expend resources on people who have repeatedly shown disregard for the TOS and the program, when there are so many people to assist who aren't in violation?
I agree with you, it is a privilege to be able to advertise with Adwords and they truly don't make people circumvent the system.
But,...it is this statement of yours that I disagree a little with, "Why should they expend resources on people who have repeatedly shown disregard for the TOS and the program, when there are so many people to assist who aren't in violation? "
Once again, I don't want to make this thread become some thread where we just argue, so hopefully this won't come out rude and hopefully we won't veer of the reason for this thread, which is to help outline steps to somehow be reinstated to Adwords if you were suspended for unintentional reasons, but I will just show my way of thinking things through.
1) Google AdWords doesn't MAKE anyone try to circumvent the system because they broke TOS repeatedly-I agree with this. They don't make anyone circumvent the system in the literal sense. It's just some people feel cornered and have no way of getting back in(considering they weren't intentionally breaking the TOS). Sure, like I said, there are at least 3 options. 1) reinstatement (if possible, I'm not sure) 2) Circumvent the system 3) Stop advertising with Adwords. But in many cases, people see 2 as the most viable way because after scouring the internet to see what people did after they were banned (many case in which they purposely violated TOS, but also some where they did something similar to me), they can't find a way to contact someone who could get them reinstated, so just about 99% of them circumvent the system. But yes, I agree with your statement. I can see it both lights, and maybe I'm biased because I am currently suspended and you(whoever is reading this and wants to argue) may be slightly unbiased (or biased) because you are still part of Adwords, so lets just leave this topic be. They CAN'T MAKE anyone do anything. Just as you put it. "CANT" being capitalized for those who argue Adwords really doesn’t make you circumvent the system and "MAKE" being capitalized for those who thing they are cornered to circumvent the system so in a sense they were forced to do it...so yeah=) lets leave it be, i think it's a no win situation to continue down arguing about this thing.
2) I love Google,...and every aspect about Google. Their humble beginnings is awesome. I'm not sure if you've read about it, but mainly two grad students with a great idea, but no investors. No money. Until one guy came and decided to invest just enough for them to start up "Google" in their garage. I think it is every persons dream. Almost the "American Dream" to start with little, work hard, and hit success. I also love that Google in innovative, not trying to copy anyone. Great ideas, great new things to help the typical web surfer-Google Map, Google Earth, Google search, ...the list goes on and on. However, I'm just going to take your statement "Why should they expend resources on people who have repeatedly shown disregard for the TOS and the program, when there are so many people to assist who aren't in violation? " and kind of show you my side of things. I think Google should sincerely try to work at it to help those who were suspended and who did not intentionally want to break the TOS. I think the people who intentionally want to break the TOS are smarter than repeatedly submitting disapproved ads. They "work" the system. That being said, I also see why account suspensions and Google being strict is so important. If they weren't their Adwords system would have people violating the TOS everywhere. However, just for those who did not intentionally violate the TOS, i think they should always make the first suspension (as long as it wasn't too severe) a temp ban of maybe a month. For those who unintentionally repeatedly did something wrong without fully realizing the repercussions, they would learn that they really should talk to their Google Representatives more closely without haphazardly resubmitting something that might be declined again and for those who intentionally violated the TOS, it's pretty easy to just flag that accounts that have been temp banned before and just to watch these accounts closer and give them less chances again.
Going back to the original question, which I haven't exactly answered yet, why should Google expend resources on people who have repeatedly shown disregard for the TOS and the program (maybe this is worded a little harshly because like I said, many of us sincerely tried fixing the ads that we had that have problems, so in a sense we weren't disregarding the TOS or trying to work around anything, we just didn't fix the right problem, but take it or leave it as being too harsh or not) I think they should expend resources on the advertisers who may have accidentally violated the TOS(or resubmitted a "fixed" but still disapproved ad) because those advertisers are not advertising with bad intent, and furthermore, because they are essentially paying Google(yes, I know they're getting a service in return for it, but anyways, that’s beside my point). I don't think too many people get banned and question why they were banned. Lets say out of 1000 Adwords advertisers, 10 get banned (1%, i think that may be about right even though I literally have no statistics at hand). 2 out of the 10 send emails to Adwords that they didn't intentionally violate the TOS and 1 out of those 2 mean it for real while the other one is being stupid and trying to work the system. In my case, I was spending about 1,500 a month. Can't Google get one of their representatives to more closely examine my account and patterns for lets say even one hour(probably won't need that long) and see if I was really trying to violate the TOS or not? I'm not saying they should be nicer and let people that were doing stuff with bad intent to slip past the radar, that is NOT what I am saying, I'm just saying that they should try to reinstate the people who were doing things unintentionally and give them one more chance--I'm sure they learned their lesson. And I'm sure something like 1,500 can be split to even something like $100 to examine my account more closely (and once again this is for 2/1000, sooo more like 100000+ being split to .1% of that to examine those 2 accounts more closely) Surely Google will have to hire more people or what not, but what is that to them?
I guess what I'm saying is that Google should value their customers more. I am not saying that it is a right and not a privilege to be part of Adwords. Also, I am full aware that Google will do perfectly fine (in fact they probably won't notice) that one advertiser was suspended. That will mean nothing to them financially, but they should value their customers and give them the opportunity to do what the Google itself did, which was to start small and hit it big. I think in a sense it can be compared to those underground bands. They do it just because they love the audience and love music. But eventually, some of them hit it big and oftentimes, start falling in love with money and not the fans. They forget their roots almost. I know the analogy can probably be ripped apart and fallacies can be pointed left and right with the analogy, but i'm just saying, it's just that...an analogy.
Why can't I just take the 3rd option(Stop using Adwords and move on). Because I was stupid, and in a sense vince was right. I put all my eggs in one basket and smart people don't do that. At the point I am at now, I might have to transfer to another school, and even then, still have to take out loans to cover tuition. My sister is also still in school and I have 3 more years to go. The fact that my college is raising tuition by 3,000 next year is not helping anything. And seeing things from my perspective, it's as if my whole world--dreams, education, job opportunities-are going down the drain..almost my American dream is dying. I have tried other advertising programs without much success.
Once again, I'm not bashing Google, I love Google. And I'm not trying to argue with you netmeg...and I don't love you...I barely know you=P, but I don't dislike you either. I'm just trying to state my opinion being that I'm the suspended one and I think in a sense, it could've as easily have been many other people.
That being said, hopefully we won't argue about this topic too much and stick to the original intent. If you want to point out fallacies to my argument, though, of course you can, and we will just leave it at whatever comments you have so we can return to the original reason for this thread(Meaning if you point out a fallacy, I won't be stubborn and argue against you or even if I see a fallacy in your argument, I won't argue back)
The original thread topic being-thoughts of how to get back into Adwords legally and correctly without circumventing anything
So your ad got disapproved.. you talk to them on how to comply with the guidelines, make changes and re-submit. Apparently the changes you made were not enough to comply with the guidelines. So you're disapproved again for the same reason. Boom! You're now guilty of re-submitting ads which violate the Editorial Guidelines repeatedly. Whack! You're banned. All hail G! Heil Google! Heil Google! Heil Google!
I'm guessing that much of Google's system is automated and a lot of the decisions are made by algorithms. Anything other than this would involve a huge amount of people's time that would need to be paid for somehow.
This provides some explanation as to why Google acts the way is does. It's within its rights in doing so, and it provides a consistent (fair?) and cheap solution.
Having said that, it does come across that Google's attitude to customers/suppliers is poor by the standards many other major businesses set nowadays. There is little or no avenue to complain or even discuss the service provided or the problems that are perceived - intended or otherwise. Google's attitude seems to be that anyone who breaks the rules did so knowingly and intentionally so is not worth the trouble of doing business with in future.
So your ad got disapproved.. you talk to them on how to comply with the guidelines, make changes and re-submit. Apparently the changes you made were not enough to comply with the guidelines. So you're disapproved again for the same reason. Boom! You're now guilty of re-submitting ads which violate the Editorial Guidelines repeatedly. Whack! You're banned. All hail G! Heil Google! Heil Google! Heil Google!
Well, not exactly. I don't want to lie either. So, I never truly talked with Google on how to comply with the guidelines, which is my mistake and my lesson learned(and hopefully you're guys' lesson learned too). I didn't know I should've. I believe if I talked to them, they probably could've told me where I was going wrong better(but I'm not sure they would've been able to pinpoint the exact reason because like I said, it was coming form a couple of my keywords and my site). Also, it will definitely take more than 2 disapproved ads to get banned=/ For me i believe it took 3-4 resubmittals. Otherwise yes. I tried fixing my ad, and I thought it was done fixing. Resubmitted a couple times, each time fixing what I believed was the problem. and then the big ban
yeah=(
[edited by: jarjarB at 3:36 pm (utc) on Feb. 10, 2007]
If the problem was the landing page and that wasn't being changed at all then, Google see repeated attempts to breach the TOS with no attempt to change. Ok it's due to a misunderstanding but they would still have a valid view.
