Google Cant Handle the Truth. Another Example of Why Adsense Sucks
March 3rd, 2008 // Brandon Hauber Anyone who uses Google Adsense to display advertising on their website has probably seen the many warnings online about how Adsense will unfairly disable publisher's accounts without explanation. While this well known practice is shady and goes against the Google pledge to "do no evil", it is within their legal rights because users agree that "Google may at any time, in its sole discretion, terminate all or part of the Program, terminate this Agreement, or suspend or terminate the participation of any Property in all or part of the Program for any reason".An Adsense account may be banned for many unfair reasons such as an increase in regular traffic or even by simply having a malicious user clicking on ads repeatedly. In my case, Google recently disabled my account with no mention of suspected fraudulent activity but rather because my "AdSense account has posed a significant risk to our AdWords advertisers" and that keeping my account in their network "may financially damage our advertisers in the future". Really? My little blog may financially damage Google's advertisers? How can that be?
I guess someone at Google didn't like my recent post about the sad truth of online advertising where I suggest that lost and confused users make up the majority of ad clickers. I highly doubt I will receive any official answers to if this was the reason but given the timing and the tone of the email I would say that Google is scared of advertisers finding out the truth of who really clicks on their advertisements.
The thought that a simple blog post could get my account banned and months of hard earned ad income stolen is alarming to say the least. While my post may be harsh to the online advertising industry, I never once suggested that advertisers should stop advertising. I was hoping the post would draw attention to the fact advertisers can run successful campaigns using more traditional brand recognition than relying only on click through rates. The suggestion that I am in any way financially harming their advertisers is way out of line. If anyone stands to be financially damaged "in the future", it's the advertising companies that cling to the out dated advertising strategies of the dot com bubble, not the advertisers.
Like the many other users displaced by Googles actions, I can only piss and moan and offer this post as another warning to anyone currently using Adsense or thinking about using it. In addition to the obvious problems with using Adsense, you also run the risk of having your money stolen if you say something they don't like. I have started to look into other Adsense alternatives and will give more detailed recommendations after I have a chance to test out some other services.
UPDATE: Google recently reinstated my account with no mention of why it was suspended. At the risk of being called a hypocrite, I will eventually put Adsense back into a few advertising spaces on this site but for the most park my replacement ads are matching or out performing the Adsense ads that I was using prior to getting temporarily banned. Comments
Ryan // March 3rd, 2008
That's strange. Do you think they're attempting to crack down on the thousands of pyramid-scheme type websites that tell you how to make money using adsense, but have no useful info, since all they really know is how to make money off of adsense by writing about adsense.
Maybe they classified you as one of those.
But yeah you bring up good points about the "system". The whole thing's a paradox.
Warren Greeley // March 5th, 2008
What irks me is not that they can shut down your account at any point. That is within their rights.
What bothers me is the fact that they can do so and not compensate you for the money they owe you. Even if they suspect malicious activity, this should be illegal regardless of their terms of use.
J. Michael Roach // March 5th, 2008 Wait... they kept your money?
Brandon // March 5th, 2008
@Ryan
I kind of don't think they have a problem with those sites. Those sites probably make most money off referrals and not clicks so its just more publishers signing up.
@Warren
I agree completely. I think thats especially true when there isn't even a mention of suspected click fraud in the "reason" they give for suspending an account.
@J.Michael
Yeah they kept my money. I had roughly $70 something in unpaid earnings at the time they banned my account. I don't rely on this blog to pay any bills so its not a huge deal but it is enough to piss me off a bit.
Ryan // March 5th, 2008 Better than my 39 cents, though.
Randy // April 8th, 2008
I just got the same "your AdSense
account has posed a significant risk to our AdWords advertisers" I barely make $5 per month...I have no idea what to do about it.or even what to look for.
Randy // April 8th, 2008
I just got the same "your AdSense
account has posed a significant risk to our AdWords advertisers" I barely make $5 per month...I have no idea what to do about it.or even what to look for.
Tom // May 8th, 2008 Have you tried Chitika? Over the last year I compiled some statistics of my earnings and I actually earned twice as much with Chitika compared to AdSense. For those of you considering Chitika - try it! You can check out this Chitika review for more info and some cool screenshots.
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