Yesterday, the Google AdSense blog announced a several updates to the AdSense program policies agreement. The main thing is that to comply with the AdSense terms, you need to comply with the terms of service on any of the other Google products and services.
Google summed up the changes as follows:
- Google brand violations: This policy has always existed in our Terms and Conditions, but we've now brought it directly to the 'Ad Placement' section of the program policies page so that it's easier to find. According to this policy, we don't allow ads or search boxes to be placed on pages which misuse Google logos, trademarks, or other brand features in the page content or URL, and which could mislead users into thinking the page is associated with Google.
- Deceptive implementations: We've clarified this policy a bit in the 'Encouraging Clicks' section of the program policies - ads may not be formatted in a way that makes them indistinguishable from other content on the page where they appear.
- Ad placement in emails and email programs: This updated policy clarifies that Google ads , search boxes, and search results may not be placed in emails, as well as alongside emails.
- Other Google products' policies: With this new policy, publishers aren't permitted to place ads, search boxes, or search results on, within, or alongside other Google products in a way that violates the policies of that other product or service. For instance, this would include placing ads on sites which allow users to download YouTube videos, which isn't permitted by the YouTube Terms of Service.
If you look at the program policies, it says you must comply with the webmaster quality guidelines, as well as all the other Google guidelines for the other services. So that doesn't just mean they are targeting link sellers, MFAs and blended ads as JenSense says, but anyone who doesn't adhere to any of their policies.
Will Google enforce them all? I highly doubt it. But time will tell.
Forum discussion at DigitalPoint Forums.
