Hi, A few days ago I got email from google and I removed ads that had images aligned with ads but I still see so many sites using some variation of same ad placement like images on top or putting a bar in between and I asked the support if it is ok and they said no. After that I have sent so many format to google for approval but they have denied all even tough there are thousands of site using same approach. They even denied one format where the ad was in between content lines. so what I take from this is they are not too happy about blending or may be they cannot send written approval for such iffy placement but probably will ignore it even. Please comment.
I guess if they see something they do not like they will watch you even more. Yes alot of sites do not follow terms but they risk being banned by adsense. Think of it like this. If your audited by Irs they will watch your returns even more after that. Google sounds like they do the same. I would follow terms to the letter because once your banned that is it. Adsense pays as good or better than most sites so do not risk it. I tried alot of sites and most never pay over 10 cents a click but yahoo and google does.
You just seem to have been unlucky - someone obviously reported your site because they aren't in the habit of randomly reviewing sites unless it is just before payout. It's not worth jeapardising your AdSense account over - if you can't get a positive response from them I suggest removing the ads from the offending pages completely.
my case was little different, adsense disappear from my blog. i'm using blogger and i put the adsense at sidebar widget. previously it appear, but now disappeared. i aware about google policy and the placement was at a right place.