This isn't my site and I'm in no way affiliated with it and I'm not trying to bring attention to them whether they are or are not violating Google's TOS. With that said, please take a look at http://www.directoryemployment.com and let me know if you think the top Google ads are in violation of the TOS in regards to placement (directly below "Browse by Category" and the sites internal links), using the same color ad links as the sites links. I don't know the correct terminology off-hand but could this be considered "tricking" the visitor into clicking the adwords by thinking they're clicking the actual website links? How similar can the adwords links look compared to the other links in your site? Do they have to be a completely different color? Can they be similar but different shades of blue, ie dark blue links in adwords and slightly brighter blue website links? any opinion is very much appreciated. thanks, j
No, they're not tricking visitors I don't think. Again these are link units so the site owner isn't at a financial advantage if they are clicked by mistake - it requires at least 2 clicks for a link unit to pay. Furthermore the link unit isn't perfectly aligned with the adjacent tab like images, so that reduces the risk of mis-association. I think it's okay myself. In answer to you second question, you can have your ads the same colours as your site - indeed blending like this is often recommended. You can not have your ads enclosed in the same frame as an image say because this is open to misinterpretation. You should also not align your ads with any other page element in a way designed to mislead the visitors. Ads have to be identifiable as 'Ads by Google'.
thanks for the insight. I think we might be looking at different ads though. I'm talking about the 468x60 ad unit right below the black text "Browse by Categories" and above the actual website categories. Right in the center content area.
Thanks Am I correct in thinking that they would for sure be in violation if this exact ad unit was placed in the middle of the categories. For example, right below the Career Planning - Recruitment Staffing links and just above Careers - Resumes & Portfolio links? Also, I imagine it would be too much for Google to administer but besides the opinion of Digital Point members, is there somewhere where you can post examples of your ad unit placement and get a for sure yes or no if they're in violation? Am I just being paranoid? I just want to be 100% sure since it seems there are no warnings from Google prior to having your account terminated.
I got side-tracked there for some reason. I'm not so sure about that labelling above that ad unit = the word 'browse' in particular. How does someone browse? By clicking on links, which are coincidentally located in the ad unit immediately below. I wouldn't risk that labelling myself. There's no place other than webmaster forums to get opinion on ad placement. You can always email AdSense Support, but they often give crap answers like "We are unable to offer placement advice to invidual publishers. Thank you for your continued understanding". What I can say is that Google very rarely ban for a placement issue without warning - 9 times out of 10 they will warn you by email. Try not to worry too much.
I'm pretty sure this is against TOS... Browse by Categories is clearly placed above the adsense, and is within the border lines.
http://www.directoryemployment.com/career-planning That certainly is, but the front page isn't. Props on his blending though. I love MFA sites =)
That's good to hear that Google does warn publishers (not that i'm going to try and trick people, I just don't want to have an ad unit that doesn't blend in with the page at all). Anyway, thanks again for the insight and I hope some of you can offer your advice when I post links to my pages with ad units. j