Another Big Adword Banning Operation? Did You Get The Scary Email Yet?

[ryanman]

Well...I am not too sure about you...But it seems like google is completely trying to wipe out affiliates. Never expected this would happen as I am extremely strict when it comes to following the adword policies.

Turns out that I am not the only one who got the scary email...Here is a whole lot of other people who got it today as well Click Here- disabled account letter - AdWords Help

Just like me a lot of these people had their ads running for months and even years with perfect quality score. And all of a sudden without any warning they got banned.

Did you get an email from adwords too?

[ryanman]

Here is another strange thing...This person had an ad running with perfect quality score for 10 YRS...And he got a ban email today as well- Account Disabled after 10 years for bad landing page!!! ?? - corporation - AdWords Help

[spartanic]

Looks like I'm one of those guys that got it today as well. I checked Adwords forums and it looks like theres a ton of people who got it too. Man, if you were making $20k a month from this then say goodbye to that.

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by spartanic

Looks like I'm one of those guys that got it today as well. I checked Adwords forums and it looks like theres a ton of people who got it too. Man, if you were making $20k a month from this then say goodbye to that.

Well...Seems like adwords is just going to wipe out as many affiliates as possible. My account had perfect quality score and no issue whatsoever. It was literally untouched...So it's more than obvious they are targeting a lot of affiliates here. Just like the last time(The one's promoting re-bills)...You will see a huge number of affiliates get banned.

[lstoops]

Yep, I got the letter too. I haven't even used my acct in months and never felt I did anything to cause my account to become disabled. Pretty upset about it. But hey just makes me look for other ways to drive traffic.

[David Brown]

yeah, I got it too, not only am I banned but banned for LIFE!!! for a landing page I have run in the past!!!
They stated that any application for an account in the the future would NOT be accepted....Will Bing, Yahoo en others follow suit?
Google are just covering their backs with the FTC regulations I guess.

This is surely going to shake things up a bit.

Good luck everyone........

[butters]

Originally Posted by lstoops

Yep, I got the letter too. I haven't even used my acct in months and never felt I did anything to cause my account to become disabled. Pretty upset about it. But hey just makes me look for other ways to drive traffic.

How are they wipeing out affiliates, they banned people who did this basically

* Sites that charge users or collect personal information in exchange for a product that is never delivered (some cpa offers)
* Sites that charge for "free" software (obviouslly)
* Sites that trick users into paying for fake or poor-quality content (obvious)
* Sites that charge users for information that makes unrealistic promises of financial or personal gain (basically the new ftc rules)
* Sites that install malware software on a visitor's computer (obvious)

How is that the end of affiliates? I understand there might be more to the list but still, not even close to the end in my oppinion.

[Rudy Dhondt]

Yes, the same happened to me after almost 5 years of advertising on Adwords.

Google Adwords account deactivated, good CTR and good Quality Score???

I don't know what's happening, but I had a good account with good CTR's and Quality Scores.

Paying between 3 cents and max of 15 cents per click.

If they don't reinstate my account, all effort will have been done for nothing.

Regards,

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by butters

How are they wipeing out affiliates, they banned people who did this basically

* Sites that charge users or collect personal information in exchange for a product that is never delivered (some cpa offers)
* Sites that charge for "free" software (obviouslly)
* Sites that trick users into paying for fake or poor-quality content (obvious)
* Sites that charge users for information that makes unrealistic promises of financial or personal gain (basically the new ftc rules)
* Sites that install malware software on a visitor's computer (obvious)

How is that the end of affiliates? I understand there might be more to the list but still, not even close to the end in my oppinion.

Well I have read this too in the email...But I am not doing any of it. In fact! The campaigns I had...Were running for months with great clicks, Ctr etc etc. I didn't touch my account...Nothing new.

So it obviously means...They are changing something or have some new policies in effect. But as usual they aren't going to be clear about it. But again...From the posts I've read on other forums, People I know...And rest of the sources. It's the affiliates who are getting mass banned.

[Chris Steiner]

I got this email today as well. I haven't had much success with AdWords in the past, though the problem always seemed to be conversions rather than QS, since most had 7/10.

I've never gotten any warnings before and as far as I can tell I haven't violated their policies or terms, and certainly none of the items mentioned in the email.

This doesn't make any sense to me, especially with some of the advertisers I've seen posts from in the adwords forum. Some of them are manufacturers advertising their own product from their company page - not affiliates.

[spartanic]

Same here but before they list those reasons they also state:

"These types of sites include, but are not limited to..."

So it doesn't have to be just the ones they list.

I don't suppose changing your ip, email address and using a new credit card would make any difference?

[butters]

There is always going to be more affiliates being banned then product creators because there are more then them. I obviouslly can't judge on your campaign since I have no idea what you offered etc... Fortunately for me I didn't get the email, I can only guess its the new FTC thing and they are sorting them selves out.

Kind of curious tho, are you IP banned or just account? If its just account, can't you just move your campaign over and you will have to accept a loss in money.

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by butters

There is always going to be more affiliates being banned then product creators because there are more then them. I obviouslly can't judge on your campaign since I have no idea what you offered etc... Fortunately for me I didn't get the email, I can only guess its the new FTC thing and they are sorting them selves out.

True...Some merchants got banned too. So I believe it's just not the affiliates here...But they are definitely going to wipe off a big chunk of their advertisers this week or so.

[Debbie_L]

Banned here too. Thought it was cause I'm relatively new.

[Agoge Warrior]

WOW!!!! I'm glad I am not the only one that this happened too! But for Google to do this without any warning what so ever is kind of unfair.

[TammieJJ]

Same here, and I haven't even run an ad in months. I was only trying out PPC anyways. The sad thing is, for the past three months, I've been getting emails from them requesting that I start running ads again...

They won't always be the biggest fish in the pond.

[butters]

Originally Posted by TammieJJ

Same here, and I haven't even run an ad in months. I was only trying out PPC anyways. The sad thing is, for the past three months, I've been getting emails from them requesting that I start running ads again...

They won't always be the biggest fish in the pond.

they will in your life time :P

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait...wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...
[IMG]chrome://seoquake/content/skin/close.gif[/IMG]

[TammieJJ]

Don't count on it.

[tryinhere]

Originally Posted by ryanman

But again...From the posts I've read on other forums, People I know...And rest of the sources. It's the affiliates who are getting mass banned.

?? i suppose i amy be next then but i really am finding it hard to believe, as many affiliates promote good stuff , provide content and every other thing ?

if i get canned i suppose there is nothing i can do ?

[butters]

Originally Posted by TammieJJ

Don't count on it.

Fact is they aint going any where soon, google is getting more and more powerful in the world, they are going to be top dog for a long long time.

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by tryinhere

?? i suppose i amy be next then but i really am finding it hard to believe, as many affiliates promote good stuff , provide content and every other thing ?

if i get canned i suppose there is nothing i can do ?

Well...I am not too sure on who they have punished and who they have spared...But most of the ads...Landing pages etc are pre-approved by their team before it even goes live. So this is where they are banning people who they once thought were totally legal advertisers. I mean they even banned a 10 yr old advertiser with perfect quality score...So it's hard to say whats really going on.

[TammieJJ]

True, but Google has only risen to the top over the past 6-8 years or so, and with an ever evolving internet, another search engine or two may rise to the top in the next 2-4 years. Bing is showing some promise, if they can index faster, and work out a few technicalities. A little serious competition among the search engines would be a good thing for those of us who are trying to build a business online.

[butters]

Originally Posted by TammieJJ

True, but Google has only risen to the top over the past 6-8 years or so, and with an ever evolving internet, another search engine or two may rise to the top in the next 2-4 years. Bing is showing some promise, if they can index faster, and work out a few technicalities. A little serious competition among the search engines would be a good thing for those of us who are trying to build a business online.

Bing is owned by microsoft and when people here microsoft they here bad things, its true. When they see google they think good things and rightly so. A small comapny coming up and rivaling google its not impossible but if bing can't do it with there billions of dollars then a small guy isn't going to come along and knock them out.

[TammieJJ]

Google was started by two little guys....and they came along and knocked everyone else out. That's the beauty of the internet.

[butters]

Originally Posted by TammieJJ

Google was started by two little guys....and they came along and knocked everyone else out. That's the beauty of the internet.

Times have massively changed and it makes things like that improbable. Look at PPC, 10 years it was easy money and now it is a lot harder, this post proves that. The thing is, google isn't only search, its email, maps, phones and so on... If you ask a regular person, not a IM but some random guy on the street who they use to surf the internet, 9/10 they will say google. To get the every day person to change there mind about search, well that will be extremely hard if not close to impossible.

If a small company has a great idea, google can just implement it to there search engine and that small company will not get any traction because 90% of people will beleive google come up with it first, since its google.

[Beldin]

Interesting thread, I wonder if there is any case for legal action. They are taking away some peoples livelyhood... it just seems to me that a warning would be more appropriate, followed by a ban if you continue to do the same thing...

[tryinhere]

Originally Posted by ryanman

Well...I am not too sure on who they have punished and who they have spared...But most of the ads...Landing pages etc are pre-approved by their team before it even goes live. So this is where they are banning people who they once thought were totally legal advertisers. I mean they even banned a 10 yr old advertiser with perfect quality score...So it's hard to say whats really going on.

well i really hope you guys get it sorted, one clue maybe is i do not run land pages / single pages per say, all i have is land sites / solo sites that could be a clue

[butters]

Originally Posted by Beldin

Interesting thread, I wonder if there is any case for legal action. They are taking away some peoples livelyhood... it just seems to me that a warning would be more appropriate, followed by a ban if you continue to do the same thing...

Im pretty sure when you sign up to google adwords, they say in there terms that they can do what they just did. I am sure google visited the lawyers before doing any of this :P

[TammieJJ]

Yes, times have massively changed...and they will continue to do so. But, as with the financial industry (AIG, Enron, etc.), and the auto industry (GM, Chrysler, etc.), even the biggest fall sooner or later.

You make an excellent argument for your case, as I do for mine. Good luck to you, butters!

[tjs1954]

Originally Posted by butters

How are they wipeing out affiliates, they banned people who did this basically

* Sites that charge users or collect personal information in exchange for a product that is never delivered (some cpa offers)
* Sites that charge for "free" software (obviouslly)
* Sites that trick users into paying for fake or poor-quality content (obvious)
* Sites that charge users for information that makes unrealistic promises of financial or personal gain (basically the new ftc rules)
* Sites that install malware software on a visitor's computer (obvious)

How is that the end of affiliates? I understand there might be more to the list but still, not even close to the end in my oppinion.

Yep, If this is legit then you bet your life they are running scared of the new FTC regs.

[Agoge Warrior]

Originally Posted by tjs1954

Yep, If this is legit then you bet your life they are running scared of the new FTC regs.

Yeah but why not warn advertisers first? At least give the people who making them all of the money a chance to make improvement or decide to move on themselves.....THEN.....those that don't comply Google can do a mass shutdown.

[Brittany Lynch]

I'd be interested in seeing a few of the sites that got these letters ... a lot of people say they adhere to googles terms of services, but in actuality do not..

Anyone have a site that got banned they want to PM me so I can take a look?

[bha]

Fortunately, I never received this email. In fact I got a $100 credit if I use my account again by 12/15/09. I wonder if it matters that I never jumped on the Acai bandwagon or other types of products.

[Daniel_Pereira]

I've never heard of anyone getting their Microsoft AdCenter account or Yahoo Search Marketing account disabled. I'm taking action. Tomorrow I am setting up as many campaigns as I can on both. I just wish I already had a Yahoo Gold account, dang it! But after a few months of advertising with them i should so that I can upload campaigns the way I really want.

To give my feedback to today's unfortunate events: I haven't had my Google account disabled (yet! I better not or my wife will kill me!). But I did have what seems to be a related problem with Google today. That is that none of my ads that I posted today got approved. There were a lot of them. I was direct linking to CPA offers. So tomorrow my action game plan will be to hit up Yahoo and MSN hard. Who knows! Maybe I'll become the "Perry Marshall" of Bing and Yahoo. Ha!

Daniel Pereira

[butters]

Originally Posted by zosowolfpacker

Yeah but why not warn advertisers first? At least give the people who making them all of the money a chance to make improvement or decide to move on themselves.....THEN.....those that don't comply Google can do a mass shutdown.

Maybe they got more on there list, maybe they took some people to make an example of. It is strange that no warning was given but then again, the people who got banned were breaking there terms. From the sounds of it people have been breaking there terms for a while now.

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by butters

From the sounds of it people have been breaking there terms for a while now.

How about you have a campaign which was successfully running for 6 months? No problems...No Issues...Perfect quality score.

How did it all become illegal after 6 months when you didn't even touch it?

Well this clearly means they are trying to mass ban accounts just to make sure...They do not come under the FTC radar. They must have thought. Instead of warning all the advertisers & wait for them to make changes...Why not just wipe them out completely and save ourselves legal trouble? I know this sounds a bit strange but just an assumption...I may be wrong here.

But only google knows what goes inside google.

[jerreye]

I got my account banned yesterday too. No reasons given. hmmmmm

[thomashoi]

It's unfortunate that this has happened to so many of us affiliates who has spent lots of time, money and efforts to build up our campaigns.

But I think with yahoo and Bing coming in to take a share of the huge pie, Google is doing everything it needs to maintain its share and they do this by raising the bar higher, i.e giving more quality ads to the persons using Google.


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For those whose adwords account has been banned, you can still applied but just give different credit card number, name, address - Use your dad, mum ... etc, you can still get a new google adwords account. Many people have done that before.

I suggest also changing your domain name and this time, just put a opt-in page without any affiliate links or sales page. Once the visitor signs up to your opt-in list, direct them to whatever sales page with affiliate links you have.

This is a much better way of solving the problem since Google will have no reason to ban you (unless they sign up to your link) and even if they ban you in future,
you will have collected a list of qualified prospects whom you can sell related
products to them for life.

A big list will mean never depend on Google! Remember the money is in the list
and not the search engine!!

Of course, the main thing is to add more value to your visitor who is looking for
information to help them solve a problem.

[linkmetro]

looks like bing working on something also...they search and news news

" This site is temporarily unavailable, please check back soon...." hummmm??

[Ilya Feynberg]

O got my ban email last night This after 3 years with them and have spent well in excess of at least $250,000 over that time period with them. Did I break any rules? Nope and I checked. I always had great QS, and the funny thing is no campaigns running for the last month. They can go F**k themselves

On the google note...well yes google WILL fall. Every empire, every business, every person no matter how strong or how big or powerful WILL fall sooner or later. History always repeats itself in this area. One day there will be a new world power, a new internet powerhouse, a new planet...blah blah blah...

Will we be there when google comes crashing down? I don't know...but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to bet there when they do...and say

"you see this is what happens when you screw the people that helped build your business from the early days to begin with"

[Brian_Mahaffey]

This has nothing to do the with the FTC or affiliates. Read some of these examples:
New rule? Quality Violations => Adwords ban

Look what this guys says for example

"I got banned also last week. I'm a furniture guy that has no affiliates and participates in no affiliate programs. I've had an account that I spend from 7 to 10k per month only inactive for about 3 days in the 5 years. I hadn't received even a single warning ever regarding the quality of my landing pages (I've looked back). I've gone through my adwords account and I'm all 8/10 and 10/10s for quality score.
Google has told me to "go die in a fire." No help, no other way to appeal. "

and look at this post:

"Paused ads will still accrue violations against them. This is insanity.
As an Adwords advertiser that has been active since before Adwords was PPC...I'm responsible for an ad that I may have created 4 years ago and has been paused since then?
There is simply no logical explanation for this. "

So as of now no one really knows why. I have even heard of people having the SAME campaigns in multiple accounts and one account being banned and the other one was OK.
I know others running JUST CPA and affiliate offers and they are still OK
This looks like random bots doing the dirty work and It is total Mayhem!

[Vawriters]

Its really pathetic....Anybody has replied that scary email & got any response....yet. Please update us if you get any response

[ryanman]

Perry Marshall made a post about this on his blog- What would you do if Google banned your account?

[cscarpero]

Yep. I got it too. Grrr.....

[ryanman]

Originally Posted by cscarpero

Yep. I got it too. Grrr.....

Yup! I know a lot of people who didn't get the ban email yet...But are getting 0 impressions. So again! They are cleaning house this week for some reason. I guess they have more than enough big ticket advertisers in the pool.

[dtrainer]

Google is getting too big and proud. They think we are the google the masters of the universe. Luckily there are other search engines.

[dtrainer]

This is why I hate when there is only one huge company trying to bring its own rules and monopoly. Let's block google haha.

[Intrepreneur]

I'm not impressed with this action. My landing page does not break TOS.

Can we do anything?

[shab]

Originally Posted by ryanman

Here is another strange thing...This person had an ad running with perfect quality score for 10 YRS...And he got a ban email today as well- Account Disabled after 10 years for bad landing page!!! ?? - corporation - AdWords Help

10 years? are you sure about that? Adwords wasnt introduced until 10/23/2000

See here:
Google Timeline

[actionplanbiz]

my account was banned dec 1.

this other person claimed in another forum that his account got banned even when all his campaign was in pause.

Right when ive been studing adwords 10 hour days for the last month.... LOL