Brilliant AdSense Money Trick...or Violation?

Check out the top left of this guy's site, the area that looks like a slip of paper with the screw in it.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/Flooring.shtml

At first glance, you think that this is a little menu and that the Ads by Google link unit is an opened-up part of that menu.

On second glance, you notice the "real" Floors section farther down. And of course the "Ad by Google" disclaimer on the link unit.

I think it's a nice trick...if allowed?? Any opinions?

 

It looks OK to me.. maybe borderline.

Eric

 

very tricky

 

good... go to the area right now...

 

thats a tough one...i believe there is a rule about arrows pointing to ads being a violation... the triangle may be a little too suggestive, i'd say borderline at best.

 

Isn't askthebuilder one of Google's case studies, earning $thousands per month from adsense? Maybe he gets a special exemption to do things that might be borderline? Although I've seen similar use of the link menu on many websites.

 

I would say that it is just about okay, wouldnt like to risk it though.

 

Ask the Builder is a premium publisher; he can do almost anything he wants.

 

What he said.

Premium Publishers have account managers pulling for them, making sure placement can be done to maximize ctr's.

 

i also dont want to take risk , let us move gradually

 

Yup, you guys are right. AdSense Case Study states that Ask the Builder makes $30,000 per MONTH from AdSense...and this case study was several years old. Holy smokes.

Wish that Google would let me disguise a link unit as a sub-menu, too. Dang...

 

it is okay and it will give good earning

 

you're talking about the link unit?

it doesn't matter if he is premium publisher or not,there is nothing wrong with that.
first of all,it has "ads by google".
unlike regular ad units,you can be more creative with link units as it takes 2 clicks to make anything.the visitor can always use the backspace.

to tell you the truth,that is the least original placement.

 

The only thing that i find slightly on the outeredge of negativity in respect of adsense TOs is the orange traiangle pointing downwards, it looks like asking to click, but then they are their case study right, they are like brand ambassadors for adsense, so they may get warnings but ban will not happen, smart move...

Note: Even adsense dont allow ads right after the heading, so they are in the red there also, correct me if i m wrong

 

Can not 100% sure this is violating or not, but obviously it is tricky one. There are a lot of sites using this tricks, even nicer (and also more risky) tricks and they still survive in the Adsense programme.

 

i dont think he is voilating the service

 

Well, since everyone has already said that he is a premium publisher...I'll say it again.

Anyways, you can give google adsense an email to ask if that is allowed.

 

Nothing wrong with the site.

You can says its like "Innovative thinking of placing the ADS".

T_D

 

Really? Because I see 4 adsense units on the page and the guidelines only prohibit 3 units.

This guy is also promoted by adsense examples of good sites using adsense.

 

The ads are well blended into the page. A nicely done bit of work.

If a Google Optimizer didn't suggest this blending directly to the site owner, then he/she (and the account manager) are aware of the four ad units plus the search box on the site, especially if it makes as much $$$ as has been suggested....