Would this layout be against TOS?

Would it be against the TOS to refer to the google ads as "Resources" as I've done here:

 

I think that's against the TOS:
"Publishers may not label the ads with text other than "sponsored links" or "advertisements." This includes any text directly above our ads that could be confused with, or attempt to be associated with Google ads."

 

Ahh, thanks. Will just use pictures instead as described in Critter's thread.

 

For what it is worth, post that screenshot to a website and then ask Google. I had a similar question, posted a question to Google with a link to my screenshot, and they told me what I was doing was perfectly fine.

Now, I hear that if Google bans you that there is no longer a way to contact them to ask why. So while I've saved the email and screenshot that they have agreed is okay, I'm not sure I want to implement it yet since I'd really have no way of going back and saying "you previously approved this and told me it is okay".

 

I've seen MANY publishers that list "Advertisement" on top of their ads...I guess they get away with..

 

That's because the TOS specifically says calling them advertisments is ok.

 

Just for reference, I sent the following screenshot/design to Google and they replied with:

 

That is impossible... It is clearly against their TOS.

 

Well, it could be that the text "Ads by Google" is so obvious in that screenshot, that they might not have a problem with the word "Categories" above it. Just a thought.

 

hrmmm i dont think the adlinks applies to the labels... Since the whole point is to faking the user into thinking its actual navigation....

 

Why even attempt against TOS, just use "sponsored links" or "advertisements" or "Sponsor" or "Advert".

The word "Categories" above ads might suggest that there is a category named "Ads By Google"

 

Adlinks require visitors to click 2 times before to generate revenue. So I guess google do not cared much about that. But normal ads, once visitors click, you got the revenue and advertiser pay the cost. Just try replace the adlinks with normaly ads and ask the same question to google. I guess the answer would be different

 

I suspect you are correct. And i was shocked as well when they approved my ad just below the Categories header. I was so shocked that I have not yet dared to actually implement it. But they did approve that screenshot.

If you have questions about your own implementations, just create a screenshot and email it to them. They replied to me within 24 hours.

 

Hehe, I don't even know if I would risk putting it live on a site to take a screen shot

 

Duplicate page with a different name, no links pointing to it, no one will find it

 

True enough....

 

I took a screen shot of my current page, edited it in Photoshop to show Google what I wanted to do, and sent them a link to the gif file.

 

If you put it live google won't ban you, they will just warn you and ask you to remove it immediately. I'd always done that myself, when I testing new ads placement, always ask google opinion whether they like it or not and show the real site. There are few that they don't like and ask me to remove it immediately, but so far, no harm to my account

 

I don't think so , lot of people just doing the same thing .. and don't forget , the users is not blind they will see the ads by google part ..