Google Policy (new Affiliate) Regarding URL

Is this allowed?

[Spooky1]

Hello Everyone,
I have been a longtime "lurker: and decided to post. I have some other bidding on the same category and they are affiliates. I was under the impressions that the new rules allowed only 1 merchant to direct link. However Today I noticed a advertiser direct linking to the Site and all they did was change the Display URL.

Example
Actual Sites URL : Widget.com

This affiliate is using: widget.net

Though the actual site is widget.com will this advertiser be allowed to use widget.net even though it is not a match for the landing URL of widget.com?

Thanks!

[wayne]

It sounds to me like someone trying to work around
the rules. I would report them to Google. They
should not just be allowed to purchase the .net
domain and still link direct to the merchant.
Otherwise we'll be seeing a lot of .net, .biz., .org,
etc domains all linking to the same merchant.

[eWhisper]

Adwords policies state that the display URL must match the destination URL. Of course, there is some degree of leniency in this system, but a .com vs a .net don't fall into it.

If it bothers you, then report them (where did that link below the AdWords ads go anyway... need to bring it back), odds are that it either hasn't passed manual review yet, or it slipped through the system.

[lloyd]

Okay.

What happens then if you own the site and the url is say www.widgets.com and you advertise this on the ad but point it at your database which is say www.database.com/widgetthing/widgetthingshop.

What happens here.

OR does this Google policy only apply to affiliates?

No affiliates are being used here.

[Sweezely]

What about when the merchant specifically tells you to use a different display url? We're doing one where the merchant's site is www.widgetsonline.com but all affiliates are told to use www.widgets.com . If you enter www.widgets.com into a browser it takes you to www.widgetsonline.com anyway, so does this count as "cheating" the new system?

[PeteM]

does this count as "cheating" the new system?

Err, what do you think? Yes, it is cheating.

TOS clearly state: "Your URLs must work and accurately reflect your ad and site."

[AdWordsAdvisor]

On this same subject, it is worth mentioning that the AdWords FAQ has recently been updated in order to clarify the Display URL question as it pertains to Affiliate Policy. Please see:

What is Google's affiliate advertising policy?
[adwords.google.com...]

AWA