A Tricky Adsense Question

Discussion in 'AdSense' started by Kennedy, Sep 3, 2007.

  1. #1
    Alright, try and follow me through this one.

    Adsense doesn't allow their ads on any site containing "illegal" content. I have a website called Google Pirate that uses specific search terms and filtered site results to generate a list of files hosted on sites. I am not providing any illegal content. Heck, I'm not even showing people the way, really. I'm just using google as a tool to show people the way. So for the most part, Its just another google search tool.

    Got that so far? Here's the other part. Google's Custom Search allows you to put in your publisher number so it will replace their ads with yours. Here's an example. See the ads on the right? All I have to do is tick a box and I will get paid for every click on those ads.

    So is this against google's terms of service? I'm not hosting anything illegal, I am actually using THEIR search engine and the publisher function on google's custom search that THEY are providing. So what do you think? Could I get banned for this? I'm kind of afraid to ask them because they might actually ban my use of the custom search if they don't like it. So that isn't really an option. But on the other hand, it might not be that big of a deal for the facts I have mentioned above.
     
    Kennedy, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  2. Kennedy

    Kennedy Peon

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    #2
    No one? Ok, let me shorten it.

    Is it okay to use adsense on a page with GOOGLE results to pages that may or may not contain illegal content. (Note that I am not the one supplying it.)
     
    Kennedy, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  3. Henkatsu

    Henkatsu Well-Known Member

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    #3
    at least your domain breaks googles trademark and they can ban you because of that.... (I dont know if that script is allowed or not).
     
    Henkatsu, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  4. Mankar7

    Mankar7 Peon

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    #4
    Wow, I have almost the same exact site. Except mine is just for music. There is are two other sites like yours and mine and one of them uses adsense on the results page. I'm not really sure if adsense is ok with it though.
     
    Mankar7, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  5. jajed

    jajed Peon

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    #5
    It's true that you use Google's results, but the *purpose* of the site is to provide access to illegal stuff. If they find out, they definitely won't like it. Also, the name and branding of the site makes it look like it is affiliated with Google, despite your disclaimer.

    Keep in mind that even if you are not technically breaking the TOS, they can and will shut you down for breaking the spirit of the TOS.
     
    jajed, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  6. davewashere

    davewashere Active Member

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    #6
    An interesting question. I'm not sure how Google would feel about that. I guess you could filter results to show adult content as well, and something tells me Google wouldn't like that. There are plenty of pages in Google's index that would never be allowed in the Adsense program. In your case, however, they could easily ban you just for using their trademarked name in your URL, as someone else pointed out.
     
    davewashere, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  7. Kennedy

    Kennedy Peon

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    #7
    Good point. I'd best stay away from adsense then. Probably not worth the money to risk it anyway.

    Yes, I am aware of the trademark "issues". But I am not actually breaking any laws by fair use.
     
    Kennedy, Sep 3, 2007 IP