ADHERING TO ADSENSE RULES

by Emmanuel Chukwu

Most people due to the eagerness to start making money online via Google adsense ignore the importance of knowing the rules of how to use adsense. Many beginners dismiss the need to know about all the rules often assuming that all AdSense rules are common sense. It is essential for one to know the rules of the game before he/she starts playing it otherwise one could spend a long time doing it wrong.

The fact is that AdSense is a scheme that operates on the web that enables publishers to make money. With so many things on the web been so quick, free and easy, it doesn't take much to realize that it needs to be controlled and regulated tightly for it to work properly. That's why AdSense has so many rules, some of which are dynamic, to make sure that the scheme works properly. But despite all the rules in place there are still some experienced AdSense publishers that still break them and of course get punished.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADSENSE RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW

·         You should be aware that Google are very strict about the type of website that their ads are displayed on. Google would not approve for their ads to be put on pages containing; Adult stuffs, gambling and hacking content. Adsense also can’t be used on sites that promote violence, absences or religious intolerance. Also you wont be allowed to put Adsense on sites or blog that contain negative, non-family safe and potentially offensive material.

Unfortunately, some of these types of sites are extremely popular on the web. But remember, DO NOT put Adsense ads on these sites unless you want to get banned.

This rule also applies to content generated by users of a website or blog. As an Adsense publisher, Google makes you responsible for ALL the contents that you display on you website or blog. So as a website or blog owner, you must monitor all the contents that is created and published by the users of your site and make certain that it does not violate Adsense rule(s). If you think that some of the content created on by your user might be a borderline material, you may have to make them aware of Adsense policies and add a ‘Report a violation’ link to all the pages in question.

·         The rule against copyright infringement.

Copyright infringement is rife on the web and is often overlooked by people. Google Adsense responds swiftly and sometimes terminate the Adsense account of any person found guilty of copyright infringement. Google Adsense rules on this matter are clearly stated in the section that discusses th Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Google have a very solid system in place that enables individuals to file a notice of infringement and which also enables individuals to file a counter notice.

·         The last important AdSense rule involves click behavior. Even though it sounds ridiculous there are some AdSense beginners that still believe they can get away with clicking their own ads. After all, how is Google going to know it's them?

Well Google do know, they do find out. Clicking on your own ads is one of the easiest ways to get yourself banned.

Other AdSense publishers use more subtle ways on their sites to encourage the click. Some use images, symbols (like arrows) and text to 'influence' clicks from visitors.

However, all these methods are not allowed by Google. Clicks must originate from genuine human interest in the ads themselves, not by the publisher encouraging them.

You cannot use methods to encourage accidental clicks by covering ads with hyperlinked images. Or embedding a Google ad link unit into a menu system so that a visitor can't tell the two apart.

You cannot deliberately bring undue attention to the ads themselves by using text such as 'Great Resources', 'More Information Here', or simply 'Navigation.'

These are only some of the rules you need to know about AdSense. But if you are planning to use AdSense, or if you already have a site but want to know more go to Google and find more about their Terms of Service (ToS). Ignorance is no excuse for getting banned. Get informed so that you can use AdSense more confidently and securely.