Adsense backgrounds, what is the verdict?

Discussion in 'AdSense' started by VamPY, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. #1
    Well with Google getting so strict I am not sure if Adsense background violate the TOS. What do you guys think?

    Examples

    I am not affiliated with that website. Just checking to see if this kind of a thing is allowed?
     
    VamPY, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  2. kh7

    kh7 Peon

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    #2
    Why wouldn't it be allowed? It's just a way of decorating the ads. Since it doesn't change the code in any way and doesn't mislead users, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
    The word 'adsense-background' is actually a bit misleading here. It sounds as though some sort of pattern is at the back of the ads - whereas they are just plain one color. It's the surroundings that are different. I didn't look at the code, but I'd guess it would be done with CSS.
     
    kh7, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  3. VamPY

    VamPY Peon

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    #3
    Yes it is done with CSS so no change to the code and I also don't see anything wrong with it, however it does give more attention to the ads IMHO
     
    VamPY, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  4. ultimatehandyman

    ultimatehandyman Peon

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    #4
    I would not risk it!

    A few months ago pictures above the code was OK and people were getting hits from it and making money, the next thing the pictures are not OK and people are getting banned :confused:

    Those backgrounds look like pictures to me and so I believe it would not be wise to use them.

    They do look cool though ;)
     
    ultimatehandyman, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  5. Set

    Set Peon

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    #5
    This is not adsense background. To have real custom background you would need to be premium publisher.

    But this kind of decorating look nice - it just composing your ads to the page so it would not look that ugly as bare ads.
     
    Set, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  6. sparckyz

    sparckyz Peon

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    #6
    Personally i would not risk it, but good luck to anyone who makes more money using this technique ;)
     
    sparckyz, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  7. brentl

    brentl Peon

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    #7
    The pumpkin one is definately against the TOS. Some of the others are questionable. It's best to just email Google and ask. The reponse they have posted from Google is old.
     
    brentl, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  8. mStraz

    mStraz Peon

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    #8
    It all depends on the type of background.

    I emailed G earlier this month about this, and they said it was alright. But that was for my particular case, each one is different. Better off asking them to make sure.
     
    mStraz, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  9. VamPY

    VamPY Peon

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    #9
    Thanks guys for the replies, let me be a bit more direct, I have opted to use something similar on one of my sites to see if it makes a difference so what do you think of this one here?

    Do you still think I should ask Google about it just to be safe?
     
    VamPY, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  10. giraph

    giraph Guest

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    #10
    You guys don't think those pictures bring undue attention to the ads? Last I checked that was against the TOS.

     
    giraph, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  11. VamPY

    VamPY Peon

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    #11
    And that is exactly why I am worried slightly
     
    VamPY, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  12. brentl

    brentl Peon

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    #12
    Email them and ask. It looks fantastic IMO so hopefully they will allow it. Let us know what they say! :)
     
    brentl, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  13. kh7

    kh7 Peon

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    #13
    Well ask if you have to, but you are not violating any terms I can think of. 'undue attention' means pointing an arrow at the ad. Having a set of pictures lined up with with ads is a problem, but we recently had a webmaster here who had one picture lined up with an adblock that contained several ads and that was not a problem (apparently he asked). If your example were a problem, designing your site to look nice would be a problem. It just would not be reasonable.
     
    kh7, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  14. VamPY

    VamPY Peon

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    #14
    Well thank you sir, I will email them and surely update you guys.
     
    VamPY, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  15. mStraz

    mStraz Peon

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    #15
    E-mail them, but they should give you the ok with the green background image. Mine was similar but in yellow.
     
    mStraz, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  16. imnajam

    imnajam Well-Known Member

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    #16
    IMO, it wont be violating the policy. However, the confirmation is required I might be emailing them myself and post an update here.
     
    imnajam, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  17. asapcorp

    asapcorp Banned

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    #17
    This is not allowed by Google. Last month I have seen a similiar post and he asked the google and Google denied to change the background of Ads eventhough there is no alteration in code.
     
    asapcorp, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  18. mStraz

    mStraz Peon

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    #18
    It's allowed on a per case basis. As I said, I e-mailed them 2 days after their image policy change to see if the BG was still acceptable and they said yes. Their responce e-mail is posted on my site in the sig (Although the bg image in question is not up anymore).

    I think it depends on the background image, something simple like the OG has should be ok. Other types might not be.
     
    mStraz, Jan 17, 2007 IP
  19. kh7

    kh7 Peon

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    #19
    These examples DON'T actually involve putting in an image in place of the adsense background. So they don't fall under the heading 'adsense doesn't allow background images'. Technically these examples are about having an image behind the adsense. And that's not a problem - as long as other adsense rules aren't broken.
     
    kh7, Jan 18, 2007 IP
  20. qwestcommunications

    qwestcommunications Notable Member

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    #20
    First of all I don't think adsense units are ugly because they complement the content so wll. It provides a great additional option for the reader.
     
    qwestcommunications, Jan 18, 2007 IP