I reread the Adsense terms of service, because I don’t want to break it. Here’s an exceprt:
Encouraging clicks
In order to ensure a good experience for users and advertisers, publishers may not request that users click the ads on their sites or rely on deceptive implementation methods to obtain clicks. Publishers participating in the AdSense program:
May not encourage users to click the Google ads by using phrases such as “click the ads,” “support us,” “visit these links,” or other similar language
May not direct user attention to the ads via arrows or other graphical gimmicks
May not place misleading images alongside individual ads
May not promote sites displaying ads through unsolicited mass emails or unwanted advertisements on third-party websites
May not compensate users for viewing ads or performing searches, or promise compensation to a third party for such behavior
May not place misleading labels above Google ad units - for instance, ads may be labeled “Sponsored Links” but not “Favorite Sites”
Sites displaying Google ads may not include:
Violent content, racial intolerance, or advocacy against any individual, group, or organization
Pornography, adult, or mature content
Hacking/cracking content
Illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia
Excessive profanity
Gambling or casino-related content
Content regarding programs which compensate users for clicking on ads or offers, performing searches, surfing websites, or reading emails
Excessive, repetitive, or irrelevant keywords in the content or code of web pages
Deceptive or manipulative content or construction to improve your site’s search engine ranking, e.g., your site’s PageRank
Sales or promotion of weapons or ammunition (e.g., firearms, fighting knives, stun guns)
Sales or promotion of beer or hard alcohol
Sales or promotion of tobacco or tobacco-related products
Sales or promotion of prescription drugs
Sales or promotion of products that are replicas or imitations of designer goods
Sales or distribution of term papers or student essays
Any other content that is illegal, promotes illegal activity, or infringes on the legal rights of others
So, for the record, I won’t be encouraging anyone to click any ads. This one makes me curious: “Gambling or casino-related content ” - I don’t believe poker to be gambling, it’s gaming, like chess or a sporting event, because there is clearly skill involved. So, I’ll continue to provide my poker updates. While I think the rule is silly and pseudo-morally hypocritical, I won’t be discussing any gambling pursuits such as lottery, slots machines, bingo, blackjack, or any gambling activity.
I’m such small potatoes that it doesn’t matter, but if, for some reason, my site takes off, I figure I should get it out of the way.
