The SNEAKIEST AdSense placement I have ever seen- is this allowed?

Take a look at the bottom of this post.

See the "Related Articles" box on the bottom? It is actually two columns. The left column is related posts from this blog, and the right column is an AdSense unit. As you can see they look identical- the blending is perfect.

I had to view this page in Firefox with AdBlock just to tell where the ads are!

This is the first time I've been fooled by AdSense placement and clicked

Is this kind of placement allowed? It must be getting incredibly high CTR.

 

actually with the box around it they all look like ads

ive seen sneakier

 

It is pretty hidden but I've seen worse.

Must be OK with Adsense since you are interested in what you are clicking at.

 

I don't think you can call adsense ads "related articles"...

 

Thats pretty good!
Must get lots of clicks from that.

 

Setting themselves up for a "Dear Publisher, it has come to our attention" letter.

 

unless their premium..

 

Premiums could get away with it if the layout is approved, but I'd betcha a dollar against a doughnut that they're not Not with an Alexa above 2 million!

 

Would have been better if he made the actual article title bold.

 

Nice placement, but illegal..

Don't copy idiots, people.

 

I was skimming through the TOS. Exactly what makes that illegal?

 

Consider the OP's statements:

Blended to the point of deception, causing artificially high clicks. You can check with Google but I'd be willing to bet on their response. You would be tricking people into clicking which is not allowed.

 

The worst ive seen was on some HTML related site.. They had ads looking like part of the navigation :| and the "Ads by Google" was off the screen, you had to scroll over.

 

I can't speak for Google, but to me it's not really that tricky - clever, sure, but not exactly deceptive.

The links to the actual related articles don't have a www.BuyMyCrap.com beneath them like the ads do. Those URL's stick out like a sore thumb.

Another thing I tend to do - usually without even realizing it - is highlight text around the area that I'm reading. AdSense ads aren't selectable in Internet Explorer, which is another dead giveaway.

And when all else fails, there's the blaringly obvious "Ads by Google" logo underneath the ads...

 

True, but since Google takes issue with Bidvertiser (or other programs) Ads being the same color style as Adsense Ads on the same page, it's not something I'd try without contacting them first. Especially when it's a clear attempt to trick the viewer into thinking the Ads are just more links.

 

The block in the bottom with the border around it? Looks fine, but the "related articles" is the thing I wouldn't place near my ads lol.

 

It's certainly not something I would try, but at the same time it's not something I would fall for either.