Ads and image placement - The official word from Google

From Google Adsense Blog:

A look inside Google AdSense

Ad and image placement: a policy clarification
We've recently received a number of emails from publishers asking how we feel about the placement of images near Google ad units. There's been some confusion on this issue, and so we turned to our policy team to set the record straight.

Can I place small images next to my Google ads?

We ask that publishers not line up images and ads in a way that suggests a relationship between the images and the ads. If your visitors believe that the images and the ads are directly associated, or that the advertiser is offering the exact item found in the neighboring image, they may click the ad expecting to find something that isn't actually being offered. That's not a good experience for users or advertisers.

Publishers should also be careful to avoid similar implementations that people could find misleading. For instance, if your site contains a directory of Flash games, you should not format the ads to mimic the game descriptions.

What if I place a space or a line between my images and my ads? Would that work?

No. If the ads and the images appear to be associated, inserting a small space or a line between the images and ads will not make the implementation compliant.

Does this mean I can't place ads on pages with images?

You can definitely place Google ads on pages containing images -- just make sure that the ads and images are not arranged in a way that could easily mislead or confuse your visitors. For example, if you run a stock photography site with a catalog of thumbnail images, don't line the ads up with the thumbnails in a way that could be misleading. Consider using a full border around your ads or changing your ad colors, for example.

What do unacceptable implementations look like?

Here are some examples that wouldn't comply with our policies.





LINK: http://adsense.blogspot.com/2006/12/ad-and-image-placement-policy.html

 

Oh no! No more ads next to adsense!

 

Have you guys come over any alternatives to this... i have started removing images from all my websites.... IT SUCKS MAN...

 

hmmm....i use em, but i hate em!

 

Wow... good thing I used php includes to change all my adsense ads... lol

 

I am removing them as we speak... sad stuff. I don't have them as bad as the Google blog examples although I don't want to lose my stream of big $$$...

 

I hope they warn publishers if reported by someone

 

I removed all my near-by-ads images now - good to get this information here before any problem occurred. Lets see what the future-CTR looks like.

 

lol sorry typed it quick
yes it mean imgs.

 

here's the official post of Inside Adsense, please read it carefully.

http://adsense.blogspot.com/2006/12/ad-and-image-placement-policy.html

 

From Adsense Blog:

Does this mean I can't place ads on pages with images?

You can definitely place Google ads on pages containing images -- just make sure that the ads and images are not arranged in a way that could easily mislead or confuse your visitors. For example, if you run a stock photography site with a catalog of thumbnail images, don't line the ads up with the thumbnails in a way that could be misleading. Consider using a full border around your ads or changing your ad colors, for example.

 

Good morning to you too:

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=200424
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=200762

PS It's not illegal, just against TOS

 

Hmm.. that sure look one thin banana. But i don't it will comply either on google adsense tos or even the fruit family. The new policy mentioned that no image alongside or beside, but what if image is placed on top of ads. Which is far abit with 2 br code.

 

but if you place border and different colours then image is allowed please confirm it that it is allowed by google

 

Wow, this will change numbers big time for a lot of "Adsense Only Earners".
This is definitely a move, backed for good and fair play for the advertisers and not so savvy visitors.

I think, a good move for the "LONG RUN".
CTR Down. Get more traffic

 

Didnt know about this, thanks for sharing! Always seeing sites doing this.

 

times...to removing all images near the ads...

 

i freakingly just install this on one of my big sites 2 days ago damm i hate this

 

I do get the impression Google is becoming more strict with this rule. However, its not against TOS per se, but they will deal with it case by case.

 

IMO, I will be against TOS sooner or later, because google had warn many peoples to do this