Simple Breakdown on Google AdSense TOS

When you own a website or a blog, you may wish to monetize your site with advertising. There are plenty of ways to accomplish this, but one of the most common ways is to utilize Google AdSense.  Before you just going throwing up ads on your site, it is essential to read Google's Terms and Conditions and Program Policies.  Realizing there is a lot of information to look through, I have created a breakdown on their Terms of Service (TOS) for website owners.

1. Do not click on your own ads or encourage others to do so. This is a strict Google policy that applies to not only your own websites, but on content writing websites. like eHow and HubPages where Google Ads are placed. Do not encourage friends and family to do this either. Google is very keen on detecting fraudulent clicks, and it is a quick way to get your account suspended. The few pennies you make will not be worth losing your access to Google's ads on your site.

2. Watch your Content and Links. This may seem like an obvious one, but do not put links of pornographic, violent, or illegal material on your site. There is a list of things that violates Google's content rules worth checking out. Other things banned according to the content guidelines include material that contains the sale of drugs, alcohol, gambling, weapons, tobacco, or any company that will compensate you for clicking on ads.

3. Be careful from where your get your traffic. This is a common term that is overlooked. Everyone wants traffic to their site, right? With all of the traffic-generating programs out there, it is tempting to sign up with one of these programs. This violates the TOS. These programs include "third-party services that generate clicks or impressions such as paid-to-click, paid-to-surf, autosurf and click-exchange programs." This does NOT include social media such as Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter, etc.

4. Do not alter the AdSense code. This is another one that may be tempted. Sometimes, the ad does not quite look right. DO NOT change the code. Before you generate the code, go ahead and alter the colors and fonts from Google's AdSense page, but once you paste that code onto your site, leave it alone.

5. Do not use competitive ads that try to mimic Google. This rule tends to be confusing because many websites use different ads from competing ad sites. This is okay. Essentially, the ads have to be clearly from another ad or affiliate company and can not be mistaken for Google ads.

6. Keep ads on the content pages. Do not use ads in a pop-up, in e-mail messages, or any type of software. The ads need to stay on content pages and not interfere with navigation for site visitors.

7. Avoid "excessive" ad placement.Excessive in this case means no more than three ads for content per page. You can also add up to three link units and tow search boxes on your page.  I would not recommend maximizing these limits because it can start to look cluttered.  You don't want people to come your site and be overwhelmed with advertising links.  Be smart about organizing your ads.

8. Be careful on how you represent the Google brand.  This is a little off subject of using AdSense, but if you want to use Google in your website, be careful of brand features.  Although you can use the logo and screenshots, it is prohibited to alter these images in any way. You can not alter the Google brand name or logo at all!  Do not create your own logo using the Google name.  For more rules on permission of Google, read more about permissions.

The above list covers the more common terms and conditions that users overlook. Please read all of the TOS for more specific details. Also, check out their FAQ's.

Google has complex and elaborate programming to catch violations of these terms. They will catch you if you do not follow them. But, if you follow these rules, you have the potential to earn some income from ad placement if you do it right!