I know there is a line of code you can put in the adsense code to denote testing purposes to google, and it won't count clicks or views. However, I want to design the new layout of my site for 1-2 days on a different website, behind a locked directory for security reasons. Is this a total no-no with google? It would be on the test site for less than 24 hours before being on the correct site my adsense site was approved for. Thanks!
To test my adsense ads I just went to a website (any website with adsense) took a screenshot of their adsense module and used that to test things out. If you want to try out new colors just Photoshop it and see how it looks. This way you aren't in any danger of click fraud or anything because they're just images.
Yep, can put your adsense code on any and all websites you own. And some you don't own, like DP has revenue sharing for instance. Another tidbit you might like is the adsense preview tool which allows you to click your ads and see who is advertising on your site. You can only click them within the tool. As long as you aren't clicking the ads you should be fine. You mentioned the locked directory. Adsense also allows placements within password protected areas of your site, but you need to grant access so google can analyse your text and provide relevent ads. Otherwise you get public service messages.