Google AdSense is a popular choice for many website owners looking for ways to monetize their content. However, crossing the line with Google’s AdSense program policies is easier than you might think, and the consequences can be severe. In this post, I will dig deeper into these reasons, provide relatable examples, and offer tips to avoid getting banned.
Table of Contents
Understanding AdSense Publisher Policy
Google’s AdSense Publisher Policy is a comprehensive set of rules to ensure the platform remains a safe and trustworthy environment for advertisers, publishers, and users.
It covers everything from content guidelines and ad placement to maintaining high content standards. Violating these guidelines can result in ad delivery restrictions, account suspensions, or even complete termination of your AdSense account.
Reasons for getting banned and how to prevent it
In the following, I explore ten reasons why your Google AdSense account could face a ban. For each point, I provide real-world examples and offer preventive measures to help combat these typical issues.
It’s important to note that while these preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of a ban, often by ensuring that no ad codes load on pages violating policies, they do not guarantee absolute immunity from a ban. If a policy violation on a website is severe, Google could remove the entire website from its indexes and terminate the partnership. Therefore, adherence to guidelines across your entire website is essential.
Remember, these prevention strategies are not foolproof but can substantially mitigate the risk of encountering issues with Google AdSense.
Accidental or fraudulent clicks
Google employs sophisticated algorithms to monitor ad clicks, safeguarding the interests of publishers and advertisers. Suppose you, as a publisher, habitually click on your own ads to boost revenue or urge friends and family to click on your ads to inflate site traffic. In that case, Google might view these actions as generating invalid traffic or fraudulent clicks, leading to a ban.
How to prevent it
Never click on your ads; counsel your close circle against doing so. If AdSense ads are annoying while working on your website, consider disabling them for specific user groups, such as admins. The Disable Ads manual provides more information on this.
If you find your site plagued by fraudulent clicks, activate the Click Fraud Protection to shield your AdSense account.
Violating content guidelines
Google’s content guidelines stringently dictate the type of content to implement ads. For example, if you run AdSense ads next to content promoting drug use, violence, or explicit adult themes, you’re likely to face penalties. Having AdSense ads on a page offering advice on illegal activities is a clear violation and can lead to account termination.
How to prevent it
Always cross-check to ensure your content aligns with Google’s content guidelines. If you have content on your site that might violate these guidelines, it’s crucial to prevent AdSense ads from being displayed on those pages. Advanced Ads offers an extensive toolset for contextual targeting to address this.
For instance, you can use the Post Content condition to block ads from content containing specific keywords that could be associated with AdSense content violations.
Incorrect ad implementation
Google has established ad implementation rules to ensure fairness for all parties involved. Consider a scenario where a publisher populates their site with multiple ads near clickable elements such as drop-down menus. This placement could lead to users unintentionally clicking on ads, which Google could interpret as an attempt to manipulate the system, resulting in a ban.
How to prevent it
You should monitor your ad placements carefully and, ideally, position them manually to minimize the risk of accidental clicks. Placement of ads should always prioritize a seamless user experience over short-term gains in click-through rates or ad impressions.Â
Modifying the AdSense code
You should use the AdSense code as provided without making prohibited modifications. Any changes that artificially boost ad performance or negatively impact advertisers are strictly against Google’s AdSense policies. For example, if a publisher embeds hidden keywords in the AdSense code to manipulate ad targeting, Google could view this as an attempt to game their system. Such a violation could lead to the banning of the account.
How to prevent it
Always maintain the original AdSense code without making unauthorized modifications. Advanced Ads allows you to import ad codes from your AdSense account via a certified interface and convert them into ads. You can then control the position of these ads on your website.
Advanced Ads helps you adapt these formats—for instance, by transitioning from fixed size to responsive ad formats without editing the code. Additionally, if you utilize the AMP Ads add-on, Advanced Ads makes your AdSense ads AMP-compatible, further enhancing your website’s performance and user experience.
Hosting copyrighted content
AdSense policies strictly prohibit the monetization of copyrighted content without the necessary permissions. If your website hosts and monetizes copyrighted videos or articles without the requisite permissions, Google may view this as a violation and deactivate your account.
How to prevent it
Always ensure you have the necessary permissions before hosting copyrighted content for monetization. If your site does host copyrighted content, employ Advanced Ads’ targeting options to prevent embedding AdSense ads within such content.
Dishonest practices
Dishonest practices, such as misrepresenting information about your content, disguising the true intent of your website, or creating misleading user perceptions, can lead to a ban. For example, a website that presents itself as a reputable news outlet while spreading misinformation or fake news and monetizing such content with AdSense is likely to face a ban.
How to prevent it
The cornerstone to prevention here is transparency. Always be truthful and upfront about your site, its purpose, and published content. Build your credibility and trust with your audience through honest practices. Disseminating accurate and valuable information will keep you in good standing with Google AdSense and foster a loyal and engaged user base. Dishonesty may seem like a shortcut to quick gains, but it is a harmful strategy in the long run.
Promoting prohibited goods or services
Google AdSense has strict rules against websites that promote or sell prohibited items such as firearms, explosives, or drugs. Suppose you are running a blog post promoting the use of recreational drugs alongside AdSense ads. In that case, this is likely to be seen as a clear violation of Google’s policies, resulting in your account being disabled.
How to prevent it
Ensure your website content adheres strictly to Google’s content guidelines. Refrain from promoting or selling prohibited goods or services. If such content is on your site, use Advanced Ads’ targeting options to prevent AdSense ads from being displayed alongside this content.
Exploiting or trafficking content
Google maintains a zero-tolerance policy for content that promotes any form of abuse or exploitation, including sexual exploitation or child trafficking. For instance, a website that sells explicit content involving minors and uses AdSense for monetization violates these policies, resulting in an immediate ban.
How to prevent it
Abstain from exploiting or trafficking content in all its forms. If you run a site that engages in such behavior, losing your AdSense account should be the least of your concerns. Ensure your website promotes positivity, legality, and safety for all users. Always consider the ethical implications of the content you host or promote.
Unapproved pharmaceuticals
Google AdSense policies prohibit promoting or selling unapproved pharmaceuticals or non-prescription drugs. Consider a website offering miracle cures or weight-loss pills that health authorities haven’t approved, and use AdSense to monetize these pages. This behavior goes against Google’s policies and would lead to an immediate ban.
How to prevent it
Always ensure the products you promote on your site are authentic and legally approved. If there’s a chance of such products mistakenly appearing on your site, use Advanced Ads’ targeting options to ensure no AdSense ads show up alongside content promoting unapproved pharmaceuticals.
Online gambling
Google’s policies disapprove of online gambling or websites promoting such activities. If your website supports online gambling or lottery sales and you’re using AdSense for monetization, it puts you at risk of a ban.
How to prevent it
Refrain from participating in or promoting online gambling. If your site contains such content, use the targeting options Advanced Ads provides to prevent the inclusion of AdSense codes on these pages.
Conclusion on getting banned from Google AdSense
Staying on the right side of Google AdSense policies is crucial for continuing your monetization journey. The key is to respect the rules—provide valuable content, implement ads correctly, and monitor consistently. Should the worst happen and you find your account banned, this guide on what to do if your AdSense account gets banned will help you salvage your standing with Google AdSense.