Google AdSense is a program that offers ads from Google to web publishers. The publishers are paid to display their site ads based on engagement, clicks, or impressions on such ads.
Meaning of Google AdSense
AdSense is a means of making money by sharing Google ads and your content online. It allows web publishers to earn by displaying ads related to their content or relevant to their sites to be viewed by their audience or visitors.
Ads publishers receive 68% of ad revenue as long as they comply with Google’s terms and conditions. Your earning is based on the traffic (page views) to your site, your content category, and your location.
You do not need a fee to be a part of it. All you need is to sign up by creating an AdSense account. Once the account application is granted, you connect your site to it.
Google AdSense Policies
Google strictly maintains a set of policies that its account holders must adhere to to remain in the program. As seen on their website, if you go against their standards Google reserves the right to disable your AdSense account as well as ads on your site at will and or ban you from further participation in the program.
It is advised that you periodically check through their website for updates to avoid violation and sanction. Below are some Google AdSense policies:
- Invalid impressions/clicks
Google prohibits publishers from clicking their ads by any means or inflating clicks/impressions through any method.
Your account will be penalized if you place images next to ads, it will be seen as if you are encouraging clicks. Do not compensate people to click on your ads, pay or promise users to engage on your ads, deceptively take users’ attention to ads using arrows, or use words like ‘’visit this ad’’ All clicks/impressions must be genuine and not artificial.
- Traffic sources
On a scale of 1-10, Google AdSense uses a quality score diagnostic tool to dictate how well your ad quality is as regards other advertisers. It requires your ads and landing page to be useful to users or people searching your keyword when compared to other advertisers. You will go against the AdSense policy if you take part in part to click activities or send unsolicited emails using bots. Do not use third-party websites, avoid click baits, and do not redirect your audience to unwanted web pages. Google AdSense wants your users not to be misguided by you because you want them to click on your ads.
- AdSense code alteration and placement
Google AdSense does not permit modification of its code if it artificially raises impressions on ads and conversion. To enhance a better user experience you may need to modify ad codes however, Google strongly recommends that you copy and paste the ad code to avoid violation of their policy.
Always avoid a situation where your content will cover ads or where ads cover content. Your mobile view should be responsive not to let ads overlap contents. Your ad should not be manipulative to attract attention, also avoid using hidden keywords.
Avoid placing ads on emails, pop-ups, or software.
- Site behavior and navigation
All sites bearing AdSense codes should avoid redirecting users to unwanted sites. Publishers should make their sites easy to navigate and not change user preferences without caution or initiate unwanted downloads.
Avoid placing ads on the navigation menu. Do not create links that do not exist or mislead users to click on irrelevant web pages. Web layouts should be well organized and simple for users to be able to easily distinguish between ads and content. Make use of appropriate colors, ad size, and background so that they will not be accidental clicks.
Conclusion
Google AdSense policy is meant to checkmate wrong practices on the program, maintain a safe user experience on the web, and ensure that ads serve the right purposes. Publishers are advised to acquaint themselves with Google’s policies and strive not to mislead their audience or users at all times.
