Is IMDb violating Google's TOS ?

Visit here

www.imdb.com/google/sponsored_ad

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They don't have the "ads by google" on their ads and maybe they aren't using adsense.

Maybe IMDb has special contract with G's adwords to server ads on their site without using adsense

Do you think this is encouraging visitors to click more ads ? Or it is special permission of IMDb

 

They are a premium publisher, they choose what and how they display ads. they don't need to follow the same TOS as everyone else.

 

Thanks , But Even about.com , rapidshare.de , ask jeeves I think they're all premium.
aren't encourage visitors to click the ads. How imdb do this ?

 

using the term 'sponsored links' is in no way an encouragement to click on the links. Google allows this entirely and a lot of regular publishers use this method as well.

 

Sponsered links is not encourage but

[b]
Sponsored Links are always clearly labeled. 
Generating additional revenue from Sponsored Links allows us 
to offer new features to you. Thanks for your support! [/b]

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maybe encourage

 

I'm missing your point here. I'm sure they have an agreement. who cares if they do or don't?

 

this does raise a good point and question for Google about this. We have seen this many times with large publishers. I have asked Google for an answer on this and will let you all know the answer from them.

 

I have visited http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/quotes

- V for Vendetta great movie btw, anyways

Just out of curiosity I scrolled to the end and I saw "SPONSORED LINKS", fine. Then again, just out of curiosity, I clicked on "what's this?" and I saw this:

"Sponsored Links are contextually relevant advertisements that IMDb provides to you. We receive Sponsored Links from Google's AdWords service, and generate revenue from your clicks. The selection of Sponsored Links that are displayed are customize to what we think may interest you.Sponsored Links are always clearly labeled.

Generating additional revenue from Sponsored Links allows us to offer new features to you. Thanks for your support! "

So what do you say? I'm not a native english speaker, but this text just sounded like "click on the ads" to me, what do you say?

 

You could read it that way, or read it just an explanation to people why IMDB is running these types of ads on the site.

 

Seeing how strict google is, that's definitely borderline. However, it's been said here many times before.. if you've got the traffic (imdb definitely does), then google will bend the rules for you.

Someone should email google and see if it's allowed, but not a "HEY GOOGLE GO LOOK AT IMDB, THEY'RE CHEATING", type email. Just a "hey, can i put this on my website" deal. Maybe i'll email them. I'll let you guys know what they say.

 

I emailed Google for some domain parking site , It doesn't show Ads by Google
It's showed as Sponsered Link , but url is pagead2.googlesyndication.com
Google not reply me yet

 

It's merely an explanation of what the sponsored links are, nowhere in that text does it incite you to click on the ads. I can't see how it would be interpreted as a breach of the Adsense rules on a low traffic site, and as brizzad has pointed out - if you have enough traffic Google will probably bend the rules for you (they're certainly not going to ban a client as big as IMDB without a very good reason).

 

firstly, they dont have the "Ads By Google" caption there, that just means they already are premium publishers
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=60583

Also when you click on the ad, it doesnt links to http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com
plus if you view the page source, nowhere will you see the adsense code script that all the publishers get.

 

It's clearly an open invitation to click the ads. Everybody loves IMDB, and they have milions of loyal visitors who enjoy visiting it, every time (like me).

Most are tempted to think that this is their small contribution to the website.

Damn it

 

I agree with Aaron, the last line seems to be telling people, hey, we're giving you this info free but you clicking on the ads helps us to pay for it.

Seems wrong, but again Google is letting it slide because of the client, and Google is the ultimate arbiter of their ad program.

 

I afraid that IMDb not an adsense publisher
No "Ads By Google" , Just Sponsored Links

Even About.com , Ask Jeeves (About.com is Premium Publisher) are leave "Ads By Google" and cannot encourage visitors to click ads

How IMDB can do that ? , Special Agreement with G's ?

 

They're a premium publisher, that's why you see no Ads By Google.

 

Yes the same with Map Quest who use "About these results"

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?bCTsettings=1