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Google Sets The Record Straight On: “Adding Images Near AdSense Ads”

January 2, 2007

A Google AdSense Policy Clarification

Placing images besides Google AdSense ads for the express purpose of attracting website “user clicks” is a no-no according to Google.

Adding images adjacent to Ads has been known to increase click through rate (CTR) — but when images are used to confuse website users — to click on ads, it becomes click-fraud — essentially.

In a recent policy clarification Google indicates: “We ask that publishers not line up images and ads in a way that suggests a relationship between the images and the ads. If your visitors believe that the images and the ads are directly associated, or that the advertiser is offering the exact item found in the neighboring image, they may click the ad expecting to find something that isn’t actually being offered. That’s not a good experience for users or advertisers.”

“Publishers should also be careful to avoid similar implementations that people could find misleading. For instance, if your site contains a directory of Flash games, you should not format the ads to mimic the game descriptions.”

Publishers can still place Google Ads on pages containing images as long as the images and the ads do not appear to be associated and/or are arranged in such a manner as to mislead or confuse website visitors — “Inserting a small space or a line between the images and ads will not make the implementation compliant.”

What do unacceptable implementations look like? — Click here and scroll down the page to view examples.

Additionally, every publisher should read and understand the Google AdSense TOS | Policies to protect your account from cancellation:

Here are ten simple rules to ensure that your AdSense Account remains in good standing:

  • Don’t click on your own Google ads.
  • Don’t ask others to click on Google ads.
  • Don’t employ pop-up prompts or automatic software installations.
  • Be aware of how your site is promoted — Pages showing Google ads may never be loaded in an unrequested pop-up.
  • Don’t place Google ads on sites that contain prohibited content — adult content, gambling-related content, drug content or any other “illegal” content.
  • Respect Google trademarks — Do not Frame, mimick Google pages or misuse any Google Brand Features such as Google trademarks, logos, web pages or screen shots, without prior consent from Google.
  • Don’t tamper with the AdSense code - Once you’ve generated your code — do not alter any portion of the code or change the layout, behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads for any reason, unless specifically authorized to do so by Google.
  • Provide a positive user experience — Avoid excessive pop-ups, sneaky redirects or use of any deceptive tactics to obtain traffic.
  • Provide a good environment for advertisers — Avoid deceptive practices
  • Be responsive — Whenever Google contacts you about an issue: Respond Pronto!

In addition to the standards above, AdSense participants are required to adhere to the webmaster guidelines posted at http://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html.

Highlights of the Webmaster Guidelines include:

1. Do not load pages with irrelevant or excessive key words.

2. Do not employ cloaking or sneaky redirects.

3. Do not create multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.

4. Avoid hidden text or hidden links.

5. Keep the links on a given page to a reasonable number (fewer than 100).

6. Do not participate in link schemes designed to increase your site’s ranking or PageRank.

7. In particular, avoid links to web spammers or “bad neighborhoods” on the web as your website may be affected adversely by those links.

Further Reading | Tools:

1. Why you shouldn’t try to cheat Google AdSense — and why you will get caught eventually!
2. Articles on Contextual Advertising
3. Articles on PPC - Pay Per Click
4. Articles on SEO - Search Engine Optimizaton (Tons of them!)
5. Free ROR | XML | RDF - SiteMap Generator
6. Critical SEO News

Written by James Opiko · Filed Under Marketing, Search Engines 

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