Google Adwords Landing Page Policy

[Mike Elliott]

I'm a newbie to IM and to the forum. Hello to all here - a fantastic forum with lots of useful discussions!

I've just set up my first site (my blog URL is in the signature below and landing page is the domain root) and my intention is to build an opt-in list then promote affiliate products to my list, and on my blog.

Thought I'd try Google Adwords as a means of building my list and refining my keywords. I'm directing my ads to a squeeze page at my domain root, where I'm offering a free gift as an incentive for visitors to sign up. On Day 1, I got clicks and these converted to opt-ins to my list, and gave me good feedback on my keywords. However, on Day 2 of my campaign, Google have e-mailed to let me know that

'We have reviewed your account and found that one or more of your sites is in violation of our Landing Page and Site Policies.'

So they have 'disabled' my site. Having checked their policies, the only potential problem I can find is under the heading 'Information Harvesting', where they say:

Examples of prohibited websites:

• Websites that offer a free gift in exchange for personal information
• Websites that request personal information to get the results of a survey or quiz

Examples of acceptable websites:

• Websites that request personal information for legitimate lead generation or business purposes

Is there any way I can keep Google happy but also give an incentive to my site visitors to sign up for my list? Would it help if I direct the ads to my blog (site/wp) instead of the squeeze page, although this may cause a different problem as I have put links and ads on the blog?

[tryinhere]

Hello Mike, You will need a privacy policy when ever you collect information, so if possible cover these pages or what best suits you

home
about us
articles
blogs
contact us / or (connect as i prefer to call it now with email fb / twitt)
FAQ
privacy
resources
site map
terms

(products / services)

also you may look at removing the amazon banners etc from the land page as it really makes no sense to me and screams ? arbitrage type set up or trying to hedge bets

you could make the opt in smaller in a side bar, and not so much screaming the page down, and possibly turn it into a small new letter option to keep up with the blues / bass latest news gossip and updates, where you would then peddle your wares.

i would possibly loose the ad at the top as well, and from there focus out on building good solid content, then brining G into that and see what happens, I would also make G just one of possibly may options to bring the traffic into the site, best of luck with it.

[Mike Elliott]

Thanks for your advice, tryinhere. Much appreciated!

I'm going to focus on building up my content, and researching other traffic sources, then I'll test the water with Adwords again down the line.