The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange programs."
I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
> The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > programs."
> I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
We get linked to from stumbleupon, blogs, myspace, all sorts of chatrooms and they're all perfectly ok, it's a great way of driving traffic - even if you have set up the links yourself (which I hasten to say I never have) as long as you're not encouraging people to click on the ads. If people are recommending your site to others, that's great, means you've got a useful site with good content. Which, as I understand it is what Google wants as it makes our online experience the more rewarding.
If you haven't been over to Google Analytics then have a look - it's under Business Solutions (or could be Publisher Tools) can't recall atm. The drilling down there is phenomenal; I've no doubt with all the incredible sophistication of their monitoring they know perfectly well who is abusing the AdWords/Sense system and this is just a warning to those who are to behave themselves.
And I think this Blog is a brilliant idea - the more we know about Google thinking the more we can do to improve our rankings.
> I was already worried about the same issue basically about stumbleupon > and digg
> is traffic from there legit ?
> Thanks!
> On Apr 12, 3:33 pm, AdSensePro wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> > The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > > programs."
> > I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
Adsense is vague on traffic exchange program, but because of reading so many people getting account getting suspended, I have stopped using BlogExplosion even though I have 4000+ credit unused. Actually, I feel strongly that if I use Blog explosion to get traffic to my blog which is to help bloggers using the Blogger platform, I can get new regular visitors as many have commented it is easy to follow and understand. I just wish Ad/sense wouldn't discourage us using BlogExplosion as only other bloggers are reading other blogs, and the chance of bloggers finding my site useful is high if I put my blog in the program. I don't see how traffic exchange can result in invalid clicks as it is not a click exchange program
First off - I own a traffic exchange. While there are some exchanges that promote clicking adsense, many do not. I warn users when I see them promoting a site with adsense on them.
Second - I think it would be great if AdSense would disable ads if they were advertised in an exchange. I did this on my blog, but not everyone knows how to program theirs to do the same. It could be the same thing that happens when there are no ads to display. In my case, I just have my wordpress blog not spit out the adsense javascript.
While there are some people who are out to cheat the system, most people are just looking to get more visitors to their blogs. I don't think it's right to penalize people for advertising their website.
"While these services may help advertise your site, we don't recommend using them"
> The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > programs."
> I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
Yep Denis I agree with you about that. Banner exchange is not the way to increase traffic. You need to really understand what stands behind search engines and know what the best tips for traffic and attracting readers is..
I recommend reading this great blog, It has plenty of very good tips..
> I was already worried about the same issue basically about stumbleupon > and digg
> is traffic from there legit ?
Stumble Upon and Digg aren't link exchanges.
I mainly use Digg, which is really just an alternative form of search engine. It also has AdSense running on it, so I can't see that AdSense would object to us using it!
They may be ok only because you have not been challenged using them.
Is your statement based on assumptions made by personal experience, or do you have concrete verification for all these things, at least the more controversial ones, directly from AdSense or any other source that speaks with "authority."
Many people are doing things out there they assume are ok, only because they have not been caught or challenged - yet.
The mere fact that this thread exists means there is controversy. Your AdSense account is a precious thing. One should always error on the side of caution when dealing with any of these programs.
Now, this next statement is not aimed directly at you.
I see some confusion here in that a few do not seem to realize the difference between "link exchange" programs and "traffic exchange programs," let alone "banner exchange programs."
If we are all on the same page, it makes things much easier.
> We get linked to from stumbleupon, blogs, myspace, all sorts of > chatrooms and they're all perfectly ok, it's a great way of driving > traffic - even if you have set up the links yourself (which I hasten > to say I never have) as long as you're not encouraging people to click > on the ads. If people are recommending your site to others, that's > great, means you've got a useful site with good content. Which, as I > understand it is what Google wants as it makes our online experience > the more rewarding.
> If you haven't been over to Google Analytics then have a look - it's > under Business Solutions (or could be Publisher Tools) can't recall > atm. The drilling down there is phenomenal; I've no doubt with all > the incredible sophistication of their monitoring they know perfectly > well who is abusing the AdWords/Sense system and this is just a > warning to those who are to behave themselves.
> And I think this Blog is a brilliant idea - the more we know about > Google thinking the more we can do to improve our rankings.
> On Apr 12, 2:44 pm, "[email address]" wrote:
> > Thanks for this great post
> > I was already worried about the same issue basically about stumbleupon > > and digg
> > is traffic from there legit ?
> > Thanks!
> > On Apr 12, 3:33 pm, AdSensePro wrote:
> > > Hi everyone,
> > > The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > > > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > > > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > > > programs."
> > > I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > > > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > > > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
"...most people are just looking to get more visitors to their blogs. I don't think it's right to penalize people for advertising their website."
Getting traffic is good. Getting "quality" traffic is even better.
While "traffic exchange" may get more people to your website, many of them are just curious rather than serious searchers. Not all but some. It is enough to be a disservice to all AdSense publishers.
However, even if this traffic creates more hits on your ads, even if it's only a percentage point or two increase, "the curious" rather than serious searchers, may tend to have a lower conversion rate from click to sale.
When you consider just how large AdSense is, millions of pages, even only a percentage point in difference, can result in many dollars spent by advertisers being simply wasted because a publisher's page is attracting a higher percentage of "casual" visits rather than dedicated visitors who may have an actual interest in what the ads offer.
A system wide drop in conversion rate, even in fractions of a percentage point, will hurt us all.
Visitors are nice, but the entire effectiveness of AdSense depends on 'quality' visitors and 'qualified' visitors. By "qualified," I mean visitors with a serious interest in what you offer and what the ads on your page offer. "Casual drop-ins too frequently do not meet that standard.
And please remember, while the numbers for a particular website may seem very small, system wide, these very small numbers become enormous.
> First off - I own a traffic exchange. While there are some exchanges > that promote clicking adsense, many do not. I warn users when I see > them promoting a site with adsense on them.
> Second - I think it would be great if AdSense would disable ads if > they were advertised in an exchange. I did this on my blog, but not > everyone knows how to program theirs to do the same. It could be the > same thing that happens when there are no ads to display. In my case, > I just have my wordpress blog not spit out the adsense javascript.
> While there are some people who are out to cheat the system, most > people are just looking to get more visitors to their blogs. I don't > think it's right to penalize people for advertising their website.
> "While these services may help advertise your site, we don't recommend > using them"
> On Apr 12, 9:33 am, AdSensePro wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> > The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > > programs."
> > I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
I was using blog explosion when i was a newbie to the blogosphere. a visitor from blogexplosion visits our blog / site just to get the credit. he does not even read the content. so these traffic exchange programs may yield sudden increase in traffic but will not help in the long run. i don't use blogexplosion any more.
if there is something valuable in a blog, people will reach it without traffic exchange programs.
Lowering the 'quality' of our site visitors while increasing 'quantity' lowers the experience for everybody, advertisers included.
If we do not maintain a 'quality' experience, advertisers will see a lessening of return on their advertising dollar and may decide other avenues are better for them.
Now, I have seen a copy of an email from an Adsense team member whose first initial is M, ( it was not sent to me) seeming to indicate that one of these programs, the Stumbly one, is alright.
But, my personal opinion is (and it is only a personal opinion) that in the name of keeping visitor quality high, that all such programs which throw a wide net in obtaining visitors should be banned to AdSense publishers.
Any program which brings in casual visitors, rather than visitors truly interested in what we have to offer, will hurt the conversion statistics, can hurt AdSense bottom line by means of dissatisfied advertisers, and will eventually hurt us all.
The number of these "bring in the bodies" programs seem to be growing, and for the sake of all of us, should be nipped in the bud. (once again only personal opinion)
If a website cannot attract visitors by means of quality content and service, then perhaps they should be left out in the cold.
I know it takes time to be "discovered" and to build a reputation which will attract quality visitors. It is time well spent.
"Quick fixes, do nobody much of any good in the long run.
> I was using blog explosion when i was a newbie to the blogosphere. a > visitor from blogexplosion visits our blog / site just to get the > credit. he does not even read the content. so these traffic exchange > programs may yield sudden increase in traffic but will not help in the > long run. i don't use blogexplosion any more.
> if there is something valuable in a blog, people will reach it without > traffic exchange programs.
i have a small doubt regarding my site, i have joined a banner exchange program which is pertaining to the content of my site and is also hosted by a related content site(avation) and they do not let others join also there are only around 30 websites they have accepted in the program. Kindly let meknow whether it is perfectly alright or it violates the tos , i tried to read through but couldnt find any. http://www.sristysaviation.com/lib/subscribe.htm - ucan find the banner at the bottom of the page Thanks
> Lowering the 'quality' of our site visitors while increasing > 'quantity' lowers the experience for everybody, advertisers included.
> If we do not maintain a 'quality' experience, advertisers will see a > lessening of return on their advertising dollar and may decide other > avenues are better for them.
> Now, I have seen a copy of an email from an Adsense team member whose > first initial is M, ( it was not sent to me) seeming to indicate that > one of these programs, the Stumbly one, is alright.
> But, my personal opinion is (and it is only a personal opinion) that > in the name of keeping visitor quality high, that all such programs > which throw a wide net in obtaining visitors should be banned to > AdSense publishers.
> Any program which brings in casual visitors, rather than visitors > truly interested in what we have to offer, will hurt the conversion > statistics, can hurt AdSense bottom line by means of dissatisfied > advertisers, and will eventually hurt us all.
> The number of these "bring in the bodies" programs seem to be growing, > and for the sake of all of us, should be nipped in the bud. (once > again only personal opinion)
> If a website cannot attract visitors by means of quality content and > service, then perhaps they should be left out in the cold.
> I know it takes time to be "discovered" and to build a reputation > which will attract quality visitors. It is time well spent.
> "Quick fixes, do nobody much of any good in the long run.
> Cheers - (the long winded one) > Digs
> On Apr 13, 11:51 am, b4b wrote:
> > I was using blog explosion when i was a newbie to the blogosphere. a > > visitor from blogexplosion visits our blog / site just to get the > > credit. he does not even read the content. so these traffic exchange > > programs may yield sudden increase in traffic but will not help in the > > long run. i don't use blogexplosion any more.
> > if there is something valuable in a blog, people will reach it without > > traffic exchange programs.- Hide quoted text -
> i have a small doubt regarding my site, i have joined a > banner exchange program which is pertaining to the content of my site > and is also hosted by a related content site(avation) and they do not > let others join also there are only around 30 websites they have > accepted in the program. Kindly let meknow whether it is perfectly > alright or it violates the tos , i tried to read through but couldnt > find any.http://www.sristysaviation.com/lib/subscribe.htm- ucan find the > banner at the bottom of the page > Thanks
> Lowering the 'quality' of our site visitors while increasing > 'quantity' lowers the experience for everybody, advertisers included.
> If we do not maintain a 'quality' experience, advertisers will see a > lessening of return on their advertising dollar and may decide other > avenues are better for them.
> Now, I have seen a copy of an email from an Adsense team member whose > first initial is M, ( it was not sent to me) seeming to indicate that > one of these programs, the Stumbly one, is alright.
> But, my personal opinion is (and it is only a personal opinion) that > in the name of keeping visitor quality high, that all such programs > which throw a wide net in obtaining visitors should be banned to > AdSense publishers.
> Any program which brings in casual visitors, rather than visitors > truly interested in what we have to offer, will hurt the conversion > statistics, can hurt AdSense bottom line by means of dissatisfied > advertisers, and will eventually hurt us all.
> The number of these "bring in the bodies" programs seem to be growing, > and for the sake of all of us, should be nipped in the bud. (once > again only personal opinion)
> If a website cannot attract visitors by means of quality content and > service, then perhaps they should be left out in the cold.
> I know it takes time to be "discovered" and to build a reputation > which will attract quality visitors. It is time well spent.
> "Quick fixes, do nobody much of any good in the long run.
> Cheers - (the long winded one) > Digs
> On Apr 13, 11:51 am, b4b wrote:
> > I was using blog explosion when i was a newbie to the blogosphere. a > > visitor from blogexplosion visits our blog / site just to get the > > credit. he does not even read the content. so these traffic exchange > > programs may yield sudden increase in traffic but will not help in the > > long run. i don't use blogexplosion any more.
> > if there is something valuable in a blog, people will reach it without > > traffic exchange programs.
Nice guide lines. I was wondering for that. It is free classified site for free unlimited ads http://www.advertisepkonline.com Also I have created web page by google page creator that have URL http://free.money.links.googlepages.com. I want to know that what kind of contents I can place on it. Can I place google adsense contents, google search box, referrals etc: and is it according to google tos. Kind comments please. Thanks On Apr 12, 6:33 am, AdSensePro wrote:
> The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > programs."
> I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
I have followed your blog since the start and used every best practice you have given.
We were recently locked for invalid click activity. I ask your indulgence and to read below. Further appeals have gone without reply. I just read the April 12th post about, Using traffic exchanges, and the post about buying traffic on Ebay. We were using such vehicles for traffic. We had no idea these may result in invalid click activity.
I have been working with other adsense publishers and they all encourage me to keep writing to you. I did nothing wrong. You have given other publishers a second chance, please help me to have one. I can site several forums that state this. You are being so cheated by sites that tell people how to cheat adsense. I often report this activity to adsense. Until we get this resolved we are unable to spend funds on Adwords advertising. I would be happy to made good on any invalid clicks as well.
I can maintain in good faith that the invalid activity was not due to the actions or negligence of I or those I am are responsible for. I very much value the integrity of the system and do not understand still why I have been deleted. Please read all of this below. We are very sorry that this has happened and look to correct this. Given then amount of click fraud we are taken for, we are eager to correct. We can provide access to our log information if needed.
You see we spend several thousand dollars a year on Google Adwords, have tracking in place and work to report click fraud. So this was a shock to us. We have also replaced many of the ads with Yahoo publisher network. Where we have a dedicated phone number and account manager. We really want to continue working with Google. We consider the lost earnings punishment enough, and hope you read on further.
We emailed in several questions to support when joining over a year ago and was assured we would be contacted should anything come up. I have spent several weeks in research with our systems team. We have found several similar ip numbers that we have now blocked. In our research we have also found the following. There are multiple ip numbers we have blocked from our servers. These were very odd, and we felt it was needed to block.
> The "Inside AdSense" bloggers and I are trying something new this week > and creating a forum thread specifically for your thoughts and > feedback on today's policy blogpost, "A note on traffic exchange > programs."
> I'll be checking the thread for your feedback and will be happy to > clarify any confusion, but keep in mind that I won't be able to answer > every question that comes up about specific traffic exchange services.
Now am I right in saying you get paid by adsense for "CLICKS", or is it for just viewing an ad?
If it is for clicks, what is the difference between a traffic exchange and a links page or links on ANY website?
I must admit, I am more interested in programming than anything else, so don't worry about what I think.
All I know is that a traffic exchange is based on a free system of I'll show you yours, if you show me mine.
We actively encourage our members to support EACH OTHER, ie, by BUYING off each other.
Our system is a result of the increasing cost of advertising on Search Engines.
Why pay them $12 for a click, when you can get a click for a few cents, or credits?
Only members can view the sites in our search engine.
But do you know what the REAL kicker is here folks :))))
If you add a bad site, (ie porn), our members report you and your site is deleted, banned and your membership is CLOSED !
No questions asked.
We even ban your IP address from our servers !
Now that is a concept that is worth thinking about.
As it is the main failing of the free search engine system.
We (traffic exchanges) solved it.
You see - we are not simply viewing sites - we are a members only advertising system.
I think goodle would love to be able to internalise their system so members never left their site, add a timer and put in site rotations, and it's a level playing field.
I will leave you with this one link, which is startxchanges ranking system for traffic exchanges. This link will show you who is top for UNIQUE visits (hits) ...
> Now am I right in saying you get paid by adsense for "CLICKS", or is > it for just viewing an ad?
> If it is for clicks, what is the difference between a traffic exchange > and a links page or links on ANY website?
> I must admit, I am more interested in programming than anything else, > so don't worry about what I think.
> All I know is that a traffic exchange is based on a free system of > I'll show you yours, if you show me mine.
> We actively encourage our members to support EACH OTHER, ie, by BUYING > off each other.
> Our system is a result of the increasing cost of advertising on Search > Engines.
> Why pay them $12 for a click, when you can get a click for a few > cents, or credits?
> Only members can view the sites in our search engine.
> But do you know what the REAL kicker is here folks :))))
> If you add a bad site, (ie porn), our members report you and your site > is deleted, banned and your membership is CLOSED !
> No questions asked.
> We even ban your IP address from our servers !
> Now that is a concept that is worth thinking about.
> As it is the main failing of the free search engine system.
> We (traffic exchanges) solved it.
> You see - we are not simply viewing sites - we are a members only > advertising system.
> I think google would love to be able to internalise their system so > members never left their site, add a timer and put in site rotations, > and it's a level playing field.
> I will leave you with this one link, which is startxchanges ranking > system for traffic exchanges. This link will show you who is top for > UNIQUE visits (hits) ...
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