Not long ago, I contacted Google about Adsense background codes that don't mess with the original code. I had it in a post on my blog about Adsense tricks that increase CTR and earnings. Anyway, I got a reply from an Adsense woman http://www.cashjuke.com/adsense-tricks-that-increase-earnings.html Still doesn't really clear it up for me.
I think the reply you got is self-explanatory . What else you want them to reply with ! Using attractive background images for google ads is against TOS my friend
No.. She said: "Publishers may not implement Google ads in a manner that disguises the ads in any way, for instance, by formatting neighboring content to look similar to the ads, or by making ads look like games or forum posts." She did not say you can't add a background. Using the right background doesnt "disguise" the ad or make it think it's something that it's not.
In here you say you it doesn't look like misleading, but on your blog you say exactly that. And and image with your quote on the blog post: "Notice how these images look less like the ads"... This issue was discussed here before and their reply was more detailed. Adsense wasn't happy about it. I don't know where the thread is right now, but if you can dig it out, post it here.
Well of course they look "less" like ads because they're not the same looking adsense that everyone is used to seeing. I'm not trying to fight this because I want to use them, but I just haven't seen a clear statement from Google saying DO NOT use ANY sort of background images behind your ads even if it doesn't mess with the code. To me it's a grey area because it does not alter code and does not make out the ads to be something else they are not. It's more like a simple decoration. There's no flashiness and there is nothing about it that in any way encourages users to click. yahhh mean????
To be honest, to me, anything that uses the word "Tricks" when it comes to adsense, sounds not worth the risk. They are getting more strict, adsense should only be used how they intend, and tweaked only how they allow.
The thought of using these background images indeed seems appealing and if it were allowed we all would probably use it, since it not only increases your CTR, but makes your pages look better too. But the 3rd rule in "Encouraging Clicks" section says: # May not place misleading images alongside individual ads It is misleading if you look at it and as said previously this matter has been discussed here on DP before and adsense support gave a detailed reply about it. It is against Adsense TOS.
AdSense support mostly gives unclear answers to questions related to tricks. They had done the same to me when I asked them about my CPM trick (re: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=323433)
Yeah lol. Actually, I've been banned quite a few times. I have like, hmm, over 200 Google AdSense PIN envelopes lying in my drawer ^^
The fact you've named it a "dirty trick" suggests what you think it could be. Google have just cleared it up. If you are unsure, don't do it.
How do you get away with that? And what about banned websites, you sell them, or do you just create another account and splash adsense in them or what?
I have my own ways They don't ban websites, they ban accounts only. At least that's what happened to me all the time.
according to adsense TOS, "Web pages may not include incentives of any kind for users to click on ads. This includes encouraging users to click on the ads or to visit the advertisers' sites as well as drawing any undue attention to the ads." this method WILL bring undue attention to the adsense ads therefore could be violating the TOS. i would better be safe and not use such tricks to highlight the adsense ads
Attractive backgrounds are against the AdSense ToS. They are used with the only intention to draw undue attention to the ads. It's the same as using a title like Useful Recourses, Cool Sites, etc. above your AdSense ads.