Adsense earnings disclosure policy? I can't find the official word...

[ChrisGuthrie]

I've always heard that when it comes to Adsense earnings disclosure you can show the amount a website has earned via the column for date and the total that's it.

But I can't find the official rule from Adsense. I need to see it officially so I can send the info over to a person I've been talking with. He insists he can't tell me how much the site is earning as it's against policy even though he provides an asking price for the site... (essentially asking me to buy without knowing what it earns - ridiculous yes).

Any help? I spent a ton of time searching online and via the Adsense help forum to no avail.

[Fraggler]

How is Google going to find out if he tells you over email, phone, private message etc? Tell him to get his hand off it.

[dburk]

Hi Chris,

Google says specifically "You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program." in section 7(c) of their Terms of Service. I would refer your seller to section 7(c) where he can read it for himself, and if he still refuses then you can assume that the earnings are probably embarrassingly insignificant.

7. Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google's prior written consent. "Google Confidential Information" includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Property performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as "Confidential" or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program. Google Confidential Information does not include information that has become publicly known through no breach by You or Google, or information that has been (i) independently developed without access to Google Confidential Information, as evidenced in writing; (ii) rightfully received by You from a third party; or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or by a governmental authority.

Source: https://www.google.com/adsense/localized-terms

[ChrisGuthrie]

Originally Posted by Fraggler

How is Google going to find out if he tells you over email, phone, private message etc? Tell him to get his hand off it.

lol agreed

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi Chris,

Google says specifically "You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program." in section 7(c) of their Terms of Service. I would refer your seller to section 7(c) where he can read it for himself, and if he still refuses then you can assume that the earnings are probably embarrassingly insignificant.



Source: https://www.google.com/adsense/localized-terms

Thanks. I swear I looked through that damn doc 3 - 4 times. Perhaps I've been sitting at my computer too long.

[timpears]

I am glad you posted this as I have been curious about it for a long time. I always thought it was against Google's TOS, but I see people doing it often when they are trying to sell something. Now I understand it completely. I would click the thanks button, but it is disabled.