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Adsense is an online advertising application run by Google, Inc. It helps website and blog owners monetize their content and is one of Google’s most profitable ventures. But what is it?
To put it simply, Adsense is a program in which website and blog owners give certain spaces on their pages for ads to be displayed. Then, Google determines what ads would be most relevant to the site’s content and provides text, image or video ads in the designated space. In most cases, site owners are paid every time a visitor clicks on an ad.
Because of that payment plan, some people try to take advantage of the system using click fraud and other deceptive means. But Google has a set of rules that participants in the program must adhere to or risk being disqualified from the program. Here are a few guidelines to help you avoid violating Google’s policies.
- Never click on your own ads. Even if you legitimately want to visit a site that is advertised on your site through Adsense, don’t click on it. Type the url of the ad directly into the address bar instead. Clicking on your own ads can qualify as click fraud even no matter what your motivation is.
- Don’t ask anyone to click on your ads, directly or indirectly. Anything that can be considered “encouragement” is prohibited. Users are to click on Google ads only because they are genuinely interested in the site being advertized, never to make money for your site or to receive any sort of reward. It is acceptable to label ads as “Sponsored Links” or “Advertisements,” but anything along the lines of “Click My Ads” is in violation of policy.
- Place ads carefully. You should never do anything to trick people into clicking on ads. Make sure they are located away from interactive elements and are not placed under headings that could confuse users. Using your site’s design, layout, images or other elements to mislead visitors into clicking on ads is prohibited by Google policy.
- Know Where Your Site Is Promoted. Websites that use Adsense are not to be promoted in pop-up ads or other prohibited media. Google has specific guidelines for landing pages, and familiarizing yourself with these policies can help you stay out of trouble and be successful.
