So, I got this $100 coupon from HostGator for FREE advertising on Google Adwords...

[mmixon]

So I'm thinking, Well I just put up a new blog advertising baby diapers on Amazon. I'll submit it. 10 minutes later, I get this:

"Dear AdWords Advertiser,

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

Customer ID: 331-xxx

Visible URL(s):
babydiaperxxx.xxx

Please note that when a site is found to be in violation of our Landing
Page and Site Policies, the site is disabled within your AdWords account
and respective ads are disapproved for "Site Policy." Disabling is an
action applied at the domain level, and it results in a low landing page
quality score and termination of ad traffic. If multiple ad groups have
landing pages with the same disabled domain, the keywords in those ad
groups will have identical landing page quality scores as well.

To learn more about our Landing Page and Site Policies, please visit
Landing page and site policies - AdWords Help "

I am usually pretty good about having a "Legal" blog, so I didn't understand. I went to the referring page, and there was a list of 20 possible terms of violation, each with a page and more of possible reasons how you can violate the terms of service. I go thru each one, (takes the better part of 30-45 minutes) I don't see anything I've done wrong.

I write them back and explain that I checked their TOS and my website and found nothing in their list of possible violations. That I am willing to change whatever is wrong with the site, if I can understand what they are objecting to. So, I get this back:

"Dear AdWords Advertiser,

We have reviewed your account and found that one or more of your ads or
keywords has been disapproved for violating the following AdWords
policy:

--------------------
Site Policy: Your site is in violation of our Landing Page and Site
Policies
Landing page and site policy guidelines - AdWords Help.
This violation has lead to the disapproval of this site's AdWords ads.
Please ensure your site complies with our policies before submitting
for review. "

Different link, but it goes to the same page with the list of 20 possible violations.

So...I guess they don't like my website and they apparently don't like my ad either. (I think)

Am I wasting my time trying to communicate with Google and expecting a human explanation? Or wasting my time trying to correct things to make it okay with Google?

I used adwords a few years ago, but have not used it lately, but figured I would spend the $100 since they were giving it to me. But, it might not be worth the hassle. Opinions?

So frustrating when you are dealing with an automated response (at least I think it is an automated response). If it is a human, they were vague in their reply and didn't answer my question.

[jasonthewebmaster]

I hate when a support system can't even give a real human explanation.. it's ridiculous.

You'd think all the money they make, they would at least have humans answering those tickets etc.

[vickybabe]

Yes, considering that is their bread and butter you would think they would look after their customers a bit better.

[iAmNameLess]

LOL... google just doesn't care about that, a coupon doesn't really give top notch support. I think you really would have to be spending about 15 grand a month to even be considered low budget with them!

[mmixon]

You're probably right.

[johnny_h]

You can get through to a real human being, you just have to be diligent. Every message you're sending to Google is read by a human who picks an appropriate canned response. Having done this dance with Google hundreds of times, I can tell you that the person on the other end has the ability to edit the text, and will do so if they're frustrated enough. Just plug away with "you've not answered my question", "please, I want to understand this but reading the page you've provided, I cannot find what about the landing page is violating your terms", break down each of the 20 points you found on that page and explain how your site doesn't violate those terms...

Of course, you may also just say to hell with it and forget the whole thing... but it can be done! (even if you haven't spent any money with the company)

[mattbaehr]

This is my single biggest pet peeve with adwords. I get this dang message all the time but really don't know why. You'd think they could get a little more specific. Damn.

[Sportate]

I had a similar problem with Google and I just kept emailing to say I did not understand what in the site was violating their policies and eventually they did another review of the site and backed down. However you need to keep at them until they actually answer.

[2marketnow]

Google gives you a $100.00 when you set up an account -- see if you can double them. I went to set up a Google account and then bailed on it without investing anything. About a week a Google representative called me with a promotional offer on top of the $100.00 they offer. I had done some looking around and figured out I personally do not know enough to use PPC without the sure ability to earn income from it. People have told if you do not understand enough about PPC you'll spend a lot on the learning curve. Get someone here to answer the in's & out's before you sink you hard earned dollars.

[mmixon]

I guess I spoke too harshly too soon. I got a very nice reply from a Google rep shown below. I should have given them time to respond rather than jumping to conclusions. Patience is not my gift, but I did want to set the record straight.

Hello Edward (my adwords name)

Thank you for your email. I am sorry that the initial email did not answer
your specific violation.

Your site www.xxxxxx.com has been disabled for violating our
Site policy and Landing Page Guidelines - specifically for bridge page
policy violations.

Google does not permit ads for bridge pages that are solely intended to
direct the user to another website with the same or similar information.
We've found that when a page has multiple ads that to the same site, the
results are less relevant and users have a lower-quality experience.

However when I saw the site, I felt that it was ok and not in violation
currently. However, this has to be confirmed by a specialist who has the
final say in this.

So, I've submitted an evaluation request for your landing page. You'll
receive an email from me shortly regarding the results.

If you have additional questions, please visit our Help Center at
AdWords Help, where you'll find answers to many
frequently asked questions. We look forward to providing you with the most
effective advertising available.

Sincerely,

Cxxx
The Google AdWords Team

[scott g]

Yeah I got one too... But my Adwords account is too old to be redeemed... LAME O!!

[bizideas]

Originally Posted by scott g

Yeah I got one too... But my Adwords account is too old to be redeemed... LAME O!!

Start up a new Adwords Account and then you can use the coupon code.
Works every time for me.

[Scott Christopher]

Google has sent me a $100 coupon also. What is a profitable offer or website, affilliate or otherwise, that would meet Adwords standards and turn a quick profit ? Any experienced marketer advice would be greatly appreciated. For example, would it be realistic to expect to earn $1000 on $100 worth of free advertising ? If not, what would be a more appropriate expectation ? Thank you and I really apprectiate the Warrior Forum !