Hi,
I wasn't sure where else to ask for advice on this, so this looks like about the best place to do it.
I run a website that sells a book about slot machines and how they work. I sell several different versions, one being a downloadable PDF version. Now, please understand that I'm not some scammer out there trying to take people's money in exchange for some poor excuse for a miracle slot guide, but a real self-published author with a book on Amazon. I just wanted to point that out.
Anyway, I began advertising on Adwords when Google had a very simple gambling policy - No online gambling allowed. I was allowed to advertise because I have absolutely nothing to do with online gambling, and even though I get dozens of requests a year to advertise online gaming on my website or become some sort of affiliate, I always turn them down because I don't want to upset Google. My book deals strictly with real world slot machines and how they physically operate. In fact, I advise my readers NOT to gamble online because of the scams out there.
Since that time they've updated their gambling policy to be far more restrictive, and they specifically say:
Online gambling includes, but is not limited to, the following:
sports books and sports betting
lotteries
bingo
poker
sites that provide tips, odds, and handicapping
software facilitating online casinos and gambling
gambling tutoring online
gambling-related eBooks
'play for fun' gambling or casino games of skill, including sites where the primary purpose is 'play for fun' gambling
affiliate sites with the primary purpose of driving traffic to online gambling sites
There have been a few times in the last few years that I've attempted to update my ads or keywords and have had about a 50% acceptance rate because the ads often fail due to the words I have to use to promote my product. Once I have a failure, I immediately remove that ad and don't touch my account again for months, in fear of being banned. I can't run any image ads, they get rejected immediately. I'm actually afraid to try too hard because without Google my sales would dry up almost completely. My Amazon sales aren't nearly enough to compensate on their own.
Anyway, my campaign has been slowly becoming less and less effective, and I'd like to try some new ads or change things up a bit. I just don't want to upset Google. It's my belief that, while I'm very close to the wrong side of policy, I'm not crossing the line because my product is not related to online gambling whatsoever and the PDF copy is simply one method I use to distribute my information. My fear is that someone at Google may not see it that way and would end up banning me which would just about ruin me.
I guess I'm asking for opinions, interpretations of the policy, and advice on what I should do here. Advice that I should stop on the grounds of gambling morality will be ignored... people are going to gamble if you like it or not, no reason I can't help them.
Thank you.
