500% Increase in revenue from Search

[Ian]

I don't know if this was legal or not, but I tried something last month that accidently worked out really well on one of my sites. I simply prepopulated the search field with a phrase related to my sites content, which brought up one of our content pages that ranked high on my site-specific query under that term. It generated a lot of search queries which obviously generated some ad clicks. I had done it initially to try and help users find an older page that had some good information, but noticed later on that it made a difference with my adsense revenue.

I can't see how this would violate the TOS. All I did was put a value into the text field. Any thoughts?

Ian

[JoeO]

Modifying the code Google provides to you is againt the TOS. I would confirm with Google before you continued with this.

It is a good idea if it wont get you kicked out of adsense

[charless]

I've seen it done before but not too sure of it's legality.

[LJ2]

You should remove it and send an email asking Google if it's alright.

[king_cobra]

there is no need to send an email to them. this is illegal. do not prepopulate your search field.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by LJ2

You should remove it and send an email asking Google if it's alright.

I did and sent the e-mail. I guess I'll wait and see.

Ian

[Ian]

Originally Posted by king_cobra

there is no need to send an email to them. this is illegal. do not prepopulate your search field.

Have you asked the question to them directly? Or have you read from someone else where this was an issue?.

Ian

[IamNed]

Originally Posted by Ian

Have you asked the question to them directly? Or have you read from someone else where this was an issue?.

Ian

Are you stupid? MOdifying the code is against the TOS plain and simple. And you should atleast ask gogle first before you proceed.

[king_cobra]

Originally Posted by Ian

Have you asked the question to them directly? Or have you read from someone else where this was an issue?.

Ian

Yeap. I have asked them every stupid questions from having the ads on a floating layer to prepopulating the search box. its ok, u have now asked them. but did u remove that prepopulation before u emailed them? if not, its best adviced to do so. when it comes to adsense, google's policy is 'EXPECT NO MERCY'. and if they find out you have earned some money out of this, they will jump in to the rescue of their adwords users' money. all here are intellingent enough to prepopulate their search boxes or even using the search query string as a catchy link. better u get out of this soon.

[The Webmaster]

Originally Posted by Ian

Have you asked the question to them directly? Or have you read from someone else where this was an issue?.

Ian

I hope this will answer your question-

Code Modification

Any AdSense ad code or search box code must be pasted directly into Web pages without modification. AdSense participants are not allowed to alter any portion of the ad code or change the layout, behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads for any reason.

Remove the additional formation as quick as possible, b4 google finds this thread.
and read Google's policy for adsense for your own sake - https://www.google.com/adsense/policies

[stormy]

yeh it's against the TOS...make it alright now or you will get banned soon.

[Ian]

I had done that prior to sending the e-mail. I guess I'll wait to find out.

Ian

[Ian]

Originally Posted by king_cobra

Yeap. I have asked them every stupid questions from having the ads on a floating layer to prepopulating the search box. its ok, u have now asked them. but did u remove that prepopulation before u emailed them? if not, its best adviced to do so. when it comes to adsense, google's policy is 'EXPECT NO MERCY'. and if they find out you have earned some money out of this, they will jump in to the rescue of their adwords users' money. all here are intellingent enough to prepopulate their search boxes or even using the search query string as a catchy link. better u get out of this soon.

Sounds good. Thanks for answering my question.

Ian

[TommyD]

In the past, I had the search box have the pages initial focus. I did this without modifying G's code. It was a piece of JavaScript that assigned the page's focus to the text box. So, since I did this, I'm positive I could prepopulate search terms in the box, without modifying any G code.

So, all those who say WHY it's against the TOS could be very wrong in this situation since Ian has not told us how he made the change.

later,

tom

[Ian]

Originally Posted by TommyD

In the past, I had the search box have the pages initial focus. I did this without modifying G's code. It was a piece of JavaScript that assigned the page's focus to the text box. So, since I did this, I'm positive I could prepopulate search terms in the box, without modifying any G code.

So, all those who say WHY it's against the TOS could be very wrong in this situation since Ian has not told us how he made the change.

later,

tom

I actually used a PHP script that inserted a term into the text box on a sports site I run which brought up a match-up information article I wrote a few years ago. As I said I had done it to promote the content and was surprised to see it generated x.xx since searches normally only generate .xx after fans searched for not only that term, but cleared the box and searched for other terms also. I've also used Adsense now for three years and had never really generated any money from searches.

I've been here at the forum now for quite a few months now and I'm not exactly a rookie. I've read about all the morons who click their own ads and then are surprised when they get booted, which is something I've never done. As someone who spends money on Adwords I'm never disappointed to see them kicked out. I don't need to see my daily budgets blown over these idiots.

As far as this is concerned, I have sent Google an e-mail and asked them about this and I'll see what they say.

Ian

[TommyD]

Originally Posted by Ian

I actually used a PHP script that inserted a term into the text box

Now if the term is inserted via JavaScript, such as:

<script>
    document.forms[0].q.value = <?php echo $keyword; ?>
</script>

Then you aren't 'modifying' any G code. But if you did something like this:

<input type="text" name="q" size="31" maxlength="255" value="<?php echo $keyword; ?>">

I think you have seriously violated TOS. The former isn't addressed in the TOS, but warrent an email to G.

Good luck,

tom

[burrie]

i think u shd ask google by sendin a mail....that if it is ryt.....

[abuzar345]

because right now my site is not comming in goggle rankings so thats why i cant apply it or i cant tell you about it.

[logicb0x]

Just prepare new account

[cute_girl9867]

hi i just wan to advice you should remove it before its too late. is hard to unban adsense account . goodluck