I have been using Google AdSense since about 2004.
Back in 2006, or was it 2007, one of my accounts, which no longer exists, got a temporary ban because my Google Ads looked to much like my daily media updates. Therefore encouraging clicks and all that stuff. I contacted Google AdSense then, they were extremely helpful, and then, after review, saw that I fixed the issue and re-instated my account.
But, now it’s 2010. The account I’ve had since 2004 began having a stellar year during the middle of summer (mid July). My Skyscraper ad spot was getting what I considered an insanely high CTR of about 2%. While some wouldn’t consider that too high, I have to point out that I get about 10-15 million page impressions per month. So high. My only reasoning was that my Skyscraper ad was right beside a bar where we had featured updates; so this spot/area obviously received tons of attention. And, considering that Google AdSense had become exceptionally good at placing relevant banner ads, sometimes the skyscraper ad (which has a header calling it an AD) would almost look like a feature to the layman.
So, anyway. My first sign of trouble came in two forms. First, I had a number of publishers warn me that “Google Has Become Evil.” Going against their mantra, they seemed to be suspending/banning sites only after revenues had been built up and accrued. I didn’t think anything of it, as I’ve been running the google tags in this spot since January 2008 and never had an issue.
but then I noticed a little over $2,000 withhold one month from the payment. I first thought it odd, especially since i’m hearing all this bad press about Google AdSense, but figured I’d wait to see how the next month did. Month closed out great and payment got approved. But it never came. A passed the halfway marker in September (the 16th or 17th), when I finally got the email from Google Saying they are disabling my account.
THE REASON? They didn’t give one, as they don’t have to give one. They likely decided that they hate the name Ryan, and used that as reason to not pay. To be honest, I thought the payment hold up was only because I updated my bank info.
HOW MUCH THEY OWE ME? Somewhere around $28,000.
To google, this is nothing, but to me this is a lot and something worth fighting for. I gave Google AdSense millions of impressions, and now it’s gone to waste. What worries me most is I gave up impressions to my higher tiers (Google AdSense is usually my bottom default) in order to get the skyscaper google adsense code higher. I’ve also theorized that Google might have suspected something fraudulent just based on how the impressions changed greatly every day, depending on how high on the tiers I place their ad code (sometimes on top). I obviously placed them higher when the ad codes proved to be bringing in more than advertisers above them. My real loss is probably about $10-$12K I would have made from other ad networks if I had NOT moved Google AdSense higher on the tiers.
Google, doing what they do, has followed the rule of reckless abandonment. They rejected my appeal, again without reason, and I am now unable to contact anybody at Google AdSense. I’m even trying to request legal information, like their legal department, but to no avail.
So, I’ve discussed this with a couple lawyers and the feedback has been crazy. Small Claims for quick resolution, but only up to $7500. But I have two other guys chomping at the bit for this. One wants to see just how far Google AdSense has gone with their actions while the other just wants to sue for the whole amount.
But sue google? Sounds kind of nuts to me, since I still am happy with the traffic I receive from Google Search and am not looking to entice any sort of penalty there, even in the form of a payback. And I’ve absolutely adored Google since the time I started using them over half a decade ago.
Since Google refuses to give reason for account deactivation, i’ve come up with four theories:
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My ad header. It doesn’t just say “Advertisement”, but “Sponsors Like Videos!” Not to encourage clicks, but keep energy high on site.
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My ad location. My Skyscraper is right to the right of a section that holds popular/featured videos. People do look there, and right next to that is the Google Ad. Google ran movie banners that looked so good that I have to assume they encouraged increased CTR. It’s completely normal spot partially above the fold or above the fold (depending on resolution), but close to content.
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Google has gone CPA. Google is looking into sales after clicks, and perhaps my traffic doesn’t buy as well as it should. I’ve done CPA campaigns before and, besides some good hits here and htere, I haven’t had much success. Google decided my clicks didn’t result in the traffic they wanted.
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My fluctuating impressions, and therefore ad delivery, looked shady. When they are being defaulted to they were being framed/defaulted by ad networks such as Tribal. Sometimes I’d just place them static. I’d change this around daily depending on how good my other ad networks were doing.
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And a bonus theory. Since I have about 7 ad networks on my chain, every once in a while I’ll see a good banner ad and click it to see who was delivering it. I’m talking about once a month. So does 12 clicks from me a year qualify as fraud when the spots were getting about 1000+ clicks per day?
I honestly don’t want to get aggressive with Google AdSense, all I need is an explanation. But they refuse to waste their time on me, especially since it seems to favor them in the sum of ~$28,000. Anybody ever get a resonse from them? I have a direct contact, who even helped me optimize my account with special Google AdSense ad tags for high traffic sites, and she’s gone off the grid too.
So, is $28K worth fighting for? Fighting Google AdSense for?
Seeking opinions, thoughts and perhaps even experience from those that may have dealt with this.
Cheers!
Ryan