Can I accept a client's adsense earning as payment?

Discussion in 'AdSense' started by e10, Jan 16, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have a client that lives offshore. I see him infrequently and he pays me in cash when he drops by. I'm considering proposing to him that instead of that he allows me to take the Adsense earnings from his site. That is, I add his site to my adsense account.

    At the moment that actually means I'd take a hit as his site does not make much on Adsense. I know that I can improve on that though.

    1. Would this be against Google TOS? I can't see why it would be if we can make money on the DP ads.

    2. Would I be an idiot to forego guaranteed cash for what is more or less a gamble?

    3.Can you think of any other reasons why I should not do this?
     
    e10, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  2. dct

    dct Finder of cool gadgets

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    #2
    1. It's not against Google TOS provide only one publisher ID is used to per page.

    2. I wouldn't say you're an idiot for doing it but you are effectively gambling on what Adsense does on the site.

    3. Are you in total control of the site (i.e. the client can't make modifications that could breech the TOS) and are you sure there is no chance that the client will click them to "help" you.


    Personally I'd be very reluctant to go that route unless I could make improvements to the site such that I would potentially (and safely) make more off Adsense than I would off regular charging. Is it not possible to get you fees off him another way, like PayPal, Bank transfer etc.
     
    dct, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  3. e10

    e10 Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Hi DCT,

    Nice to see you, mate :)

    Hmmm... both the client and I have access so no I couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't make modifications to pages - but other than uploading updates to pages to a site that Google has already approved I don't see what else he could do.

    How would that work on the clicking ads? If he clicked on them then my own Google account would not be blamed , would it? Would the clicks not have to be from my own computer/IP to cause trouble?

    I am thinking of it as a motivator really. The more visitors I get to his site, the more AS earnings I will potentially get from it. Can you tell I'm bored?

    Yes, I suppose your right. Daft idea.
     
    e10, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  4. dct

    dct Finder of cool gadgets

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    #4
    Hi e10, nice to see you too :).

    If the client has access he could upload anything or change textual content which could be against Google TOS. With regards to ad clicking, I'd think Googles algorithms are a lot more sophisticated than computer/IP.
     
    dct, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  5. ahkip

    ahkip Prominent Member

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    #5
    Are you going to put you Adsense code there forever? After all, you are not the owner of site. And the owner might want to sell the site before your hardwork paid off(after he see some real earning)

    he can easily earn 8x of what your earned from the site by selling it
    . If you think the site has potential, why not start one that is similar yourself?
     
    ahkip, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  6. e10

    e10 Well-Known Member

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    #6
    I've got one that is similar. Or I should say his is similar to a section of mine. He wouldn't sell it because it is a shopfront for his service. Unless he sold the company I suppose. He could also dump me and get a new web person though I don't think that's in the cards at the moment.

    Still, you are both right. By the time I improved the AS rev... who knows what could happen in the meantime.

    Thanks for you help. I work alone all day and I do come up with some majorly daft ideas sometimes. Helps to bounce them of some other people sometimes you know. :eek:
     
    e10, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  7. qwestcommunications

    qwestcommunications Notable Member

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    #7
    What would happen if you make much more than how much the client should pay? Are you going to be honest with the client?
     
    qwestcommunications, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  8. patataur

    patataur Peon

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    #8
    exactly. the motivation to get more visitors to his site ought to be taken with this in mind. when the sites earns a lot of money, the guy will want to see his own adsense ads there, not yours. so you either rob him, or work for him for free.

    another point : taxes.

    i don't know what your situation is regarding taxes, but here for every $ earned with my site i'm supposed to pay taxes. (i suppose that you don't pay taxes on what he pays you now cause he pays cash... :) )
     
    patataur, Jan 16, 2007 IP
  9. e10

    e10 Well-Known Member

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    #9
    Sure. Eventually. LOL

    Yes, Patatur. I think I'll stick with the cash in hand. I just wanted to make it mre fun for myself, you know. Ah well. back to the drawing board.
     
    e10, Jan 16, 2007 IP