Has anyone tried this? I'm not talking about taking Adsense code itself and putting it in the browser software (violating TOS). Rather, hosting a persistent web page showing Adsense ads in a toolbar, OR... hard-coding links to websites with targeted Adsense ads. This seems like it could be a very profitabel technique. Any stories out there?
So, no one can point to anything in the terms of service preventing this? I don't see how it violates the terms of service considering the ad is being served from a website you control and you are hosting it in a web browser. Does anyone have a specific objection in the TOS or are we just assuming Google doesn't allow this?
I investigated doing something like this for one of my programs. The simple answer is no, because you aren't using it with content. Using Adsense on anything that isn't content is a violation (example being a blank page, a 404 page, and so on) Yes, your browser would be able to show content by visiting websites. But the browser itself doesn't have content, you are relying on other people for content. And on top of that, you'd risk violation for making money off of other people's works. I'd say don't do it if you value your Adsense account.
Believe me, if it were that easy to lose a Google Adsense account, barely anyone would have one. Consider this... if it is against TOS, you could wipe out anyone's Adsense account by simply taking their ad code and inserting it into your software. However, from my experience, if you are making money for Google, they are loathe to cancel your account. There have been numerous times, when I sent Google Adsense DMCA requests, and they didn't suspend the violator's account because the sites were so big (you are not shutting down CNN, I don't care how many Google rules they break or copyright violations they have ). Now, when someone complained about 1 paragraph on 1 page that got little/zero traffic on one 1 of my sites, Google shut down Adsense for every site I owned (15+). When I sent 100 DMCA requests for websites copying whole web pages and software, Google only shut down a few of them. The bigger ones had the ads suspended for that page or got a complete pass. So, this fear of Google Adsense is unwarranted because they are a lot more vulnerable than you think.
Then again, it's all too easy to trace the creator of software back to the original author. The domain registered to "sell" your browser would be in your name, not someone else you wanted to get banned from adsense. And hey, if you want to forge someones name and go to jail, I'm sure messing with the wrong person could arrange that for you. CNN and other places are privileged, meaning they don't have to abide by the rules we do. So they aren't even in the same category as we are. I'd still say don't do it, and yes, I'm positive you'd get banned. When I researched it for myself once, I remember finding the answer somewhere in the TOS but its long forgotten by now.
Ya its true only small websites violating the TOS gets penalized Big websites run easily even if the source of traffic is from porn website.
Why not use the same idea, but instead of running AdSense ads, sell and run your own ads? You can still pursue your plan, without gambling that Google will buy your ad space.
Why "sell" the software. You get more downloads/users giving it away free. What do you refer? The issue is not whether you get banned, the question is if it's so easy to get banned, why aren't most people banned? Google is not a charity. They make money only with more people in the Adsense program than less. My point is, "IT IS NOT EASY TO GET BANNED" in Google Adsense, depending on who you are and your traffic. If you only knew the things I have gotten away with in Google without ever getting banned. It's all about knowing your limits and knowing why Google Adsense exists.
I put "sell" in quotes because I don't mean selling it. I mean the website you want to market it from. You can "sell" something by giving it away for free. I'm saying you couldn't get someone banned permanently simply by using their code in your browser in an attempt to fraud them. You, the creator of the browser, will be linked to it in some shape or form. Whether through distribution or through creation. You could attempt to take on their persona, but that is illegal. Just because you get away with something doesn't mean Google knows about it. I'm aware Google is not a charity, but they will be more than happy to ban someone accused of fraud rather than piss off their Adwords members. And the point where you said it isn't easy to get banned, you just contradicted yourself by saying "depending on who you are and your traffic." You just made an exception to your own rule, and it's a rather big one.
You made the point this is fraud. I never said that. You assume this is against their TOS. You never showed that. My point is, if you are so afraid of offending Google, you are going to miss out on opportunities that may actually be allowed by Google. I've read many things on Google forums in the past, that people said were against TOS but actually were not. Unless you can specifically show it violates the agreement, why assume it does? And, I already know directly embedding Adsense code is against their TOS, but not embedding links which lead to pages with Adsense code.
You mentioned fraud first, I was commenting on it. And yes, it's against the TOS. I forget where, but it has something to do with using it in software. It explicitly states it can't be done. No, I don't know where. Read the entire thing and find the answer yourself if you don't believe me.
Ok, so there is no fraud here. I was making the observation that this fear of Google is unfounded and exaggerated. I have read it and didn't see it. That is why when people say you can't do it, it always puzzled me.
Ask Google Adsense directly or, if you feel you can do it, implement your idea and let us know the results. By the way, when you were digging through TOS and Policies, did you happen to notice the one about labeling ads....?
I had thought of this one, too...but technically this isn't the situation. No Adsense code is being written into the program. Just a link to a page with it on there. It's gray in my opinion since the intent is the same. That's why I suggested he ask Adsense itself.
If no content then yes, TOS violation, but if it's a link to a normal webpage...then that's different. If it's pioneer's page, then there is a prblem since that page is in violation already.
I'll ask them but am not too worried about their answer. This is what I'm talking about (made this in a couple of minutes) If Google doesn't want the traffic, I'll just put affiliate links there. Personally, they seem like a better fit anyway (Ebay auction links, Amazon, Linkshare/CJ links, there are lots of options besides Google).