What is the TOS story about this site ?

Discussion in 'Guidelines / Compliance' started by 4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006.

  1. #1
    Hey,

    I was searching for a new domain and found this one already registered. I decided to check it out and I found this site already running, and it made me reflect a bit.

    Here is the address: http://www.petfoodexpert.com/ and I have questions about it.

    Here few of my thoughts, then a question:

    Well, according to Google TOS there should be no Adsense code posted on links only pages. This site is links only - no contenet. All the links show 'pagead2.googlesyndication' in the address bar if you move mouse over them. The source code shows these links to have lots of numbers and letter etc. This page shows that it has been online from 1999 - quite a time.

    There are lots of so called 'directory' sites, many of them rank quite high In SE's, and all they are is links and more links, with Google adds. Isn't it against TOS ?

    Can anyone tell me what is the story behind a site like this petfoodexpert ?
    Is it leagal to have something like this ? And, where the 'googlesyndication' fits there in the picture? There are no 'ads by Google' sign. If they use Adsense in such format, does it mean they are premium client? How would this be possible if having just a link page with Google adds is against TOS ?

    Sometimes pages have about 15 % content and the rest are Google adverts and other links to countless pages of the same structure. Such websites seem to running for a long time and never get banned. Are they ok or just lucky ? I bet they make lots of money - they have thousands of pages, and ranking high in SE are easy to find, this includes Google team. If they are not so legal, yet very easy to find, why Google does nothing about them ? Is it about money ? Is this how the top earners generate fat checques and many of the guys writing content for days get crumbs ?

    Am I missing here something or am I just not educated yet ? :confused:
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  2. iatbm

    iatbm Prominent Member

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    #2
    check out the footer :D
     
    iatbm, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  3. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #3
    Could it be a Godaddy parked Domain who probably have something in place with Google - look at the footer "This page is provided courtesy of GoDaddy.com"
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  4. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #4
    You suggest this domain is parked ? Parked domains have this usually posted on them. Plus, even if not, then would different rules apply to private people and corporations like web hosts ?
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  5. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #5
    It looks parked and I would think Godaddy would be a premium publisher - a premium usually agree on the rules with Google rather than Google setting out the rules.

    Thats what it looks like it IMHO.
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  6. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #6
    parked for 7 years... hmmm... I don't think this domain is parked at all. I think this is a working website. Parked domain doesn't have a links menu - this one does. Parked domains have only one index page.
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  7. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #7
    Just because its 7 years old doesnt mean it has been parked for 7 years. Something tells me a member of DP owns that domain, I am sure I have seen the site in working order.

    Not all parked domains look the same.
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  8. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #8
    Sure, time is irrelevant.. Yet, as I said above, I have never seen a parked domain with navigation menu. This one looks more to me like a directory than a parked site. WhoIs says nothing except for the name of the registrant (and owner perhaps)
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  9. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #9
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  10. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #10
    Yeah, this one is also links only. I don't see any Google connection there though. Can't find 'google' in the sorce code. And it does not seem to me parked either. Maybe I am wrong.
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  11. iatbm

    iatbm Prominent Member

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    #11
    you are wrong ;)
     
    iatbm, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  12. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #12
    I dont understand what you mean by links only :confused: They both have the same features - links and a search box.

    Its parked alright and is a given example under http://www.activeaudience.com/Main.do?c=50#A3

    They probably dont do business with Google so thats probably why there is no connection.
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  13. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #13
    I guess you are right ;) In this case I find it sucks that some companies can do what others are prosecuted for, in such straight forward way.
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  14. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #14
    Think about how much a site like this could earn if the owner throws enough traffic at it ;)
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  15. 4FYB2R

    4FYB2R Peon

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    #15
    Oh yeah, virtually every click translates into $$, like almost 100% CTR.
     
    4FYB2R, Jul 8, 2006 IP
  16. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #16
    The perfect reason why Google would allow a site like this to publish their ad links - that is of course IF they do allow it.
     
    cormac, Jul 8, 2006 IP