AdWords account suspended. Opinion on Bing ads?

[TheInternet]

Update April 12, 2012: The account was unsuspended a while ago, but I never edited this post. It is possible to get your account back if you were being honest and are persistent in trying to get a response out of Google.
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Google suspended my AdWords account. No reason given. None of my ads or pages violate their policies as far as I can tell. This is after they previously suspended an ad for a completely legit site, a helpful automotive niche site with a clearly marked affiliate ad, calling it a bridge page.

I don't think I want to do advertising business with a company that's so thoughtless in its dealings with it's #1 product.

I would go and try to get it unsuspended, but I already had the hardest time finding the right email contact form to reactivate my account after cancelling it years ago. I would rather look for a different option.

Anyone have an opinion on Bing ads? Or other PPC networks?

[dzoaffiliate]

I have been advertizing on AdCenter for a few years now and
The quality of Bing traffic is very good. You can import Adwords campaigns right into AdCenter.
Try 7Search also. It's pretty good for certain niches, so you'll have to do some testing but the CPC is really cheap. I pay around 2cents for most of my clicks.

ok here's a tip... The dating niche is pretty hot in 7Search

Hope you guys take action!

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by cadmo

Have you submitted online form? Use online form to ask their executives why this happened to you in detail.

https://adwords.google.com/support/a...hl=en&ctx=foot

The adwords people replies within 24 hours in detail to your queries. So you can get exact issue with your account.

Btw since Google is the most used search engine across the globe you should stick with it for your promotions. Bing is cheap but all depends on whether it can send target visitors to you in bulk.

Best of Luck

Thanks for the link. I'll look into it if I decide to give them another shot.

Here's why I don't want to: If their suspension process could understand the page well enough to suspend the account, it understood it well enough to tell me exactly what was wrong in the notice email.

If it didn't understand it well enough, it shouldn't have suspended the account.

I have serious reservations about doing business with a company that treats customers of its core product with so little regard.

@dzoaffiliate: Thanks for the tips.

[TheInternet]

Tried to sign up for bing ads.

* Password must be 6-16 characters, so secure, easy to remember passphrases are out.
* Security questions are mandatory and probably won't fit anything in your life. The one that did had an answer that was too short, so I couldn't use it.
* Interface items decided they just weren't going to do anything.

I keep getting a popup saying it's not compatible with Chrome. I'm sure some of the problems are due to this. But really? In 2011, after they've been nailed for anti-trust problems before, they're not going to support a browser with half their own share?

PPC is proving too stressful, and I haven't even shown any ads yet! But thanks to this thread I know other PPC networks exist. Time to start exploring.

Do any of the smaller ones give out free credit vouchers?

edit: Decided to go through IE. I haven't tried that browser since...2004. But it got way better, so I don't mind using it for this.

So far I'm liking Bing ads. I'll probably do a writeup of my experiences once I've used it for a while.

[wolfmmiii]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

If their suspension process could understand the page well enough to suspend the account, it understood it well enough to tell me exactly what was wrong in the notice email.

@dzoaffiliate: Thanks for the tips.

They did tell you. Why do people swear up and down that Google just suspends accounts for no apparent reason? You violated TOS. Claiming ignorance is not an excuse.

I have promoted lots of affiliate sites via AdWords with very few problems. Why? I read and understand the TOS and I follow them. If I do have a problem, I contact them and they provide feedback. It's really not hard.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

They did tell you. Why do people swear up and down that Google just suspends accounts for no apparent reason? You violated TOS. Claiming ignorance is not an excuse.

I have promoted lots of affiliate sites via AdWords with very few problems. Why? I read and understand the TOS and I follow them. If I do have a problem, I contact them and they provide feedback. It's really not hard.

The popup says "Your Google AdWords account has been permanently suspended for repeated violation of AdWords or Landing Page and Site policies in this or a related account."

The email says the same. I went through the documents reading every possible violation. Nothing on my sites violates them.

I know, you get a lot of skeevy jerks in here who break rules and try to play the victim. But it's just not the case here. I went to great lengths to make sure I wasn't breaking any rules because I didn't want to get my account suspended.

I'll even go through the policies in the page linked in the email right now to double check:

• "Get rich quick" schemes - Get rich quick - AdWords Help
  I am a proponent of getting rich slowly or at a reasonable pace, so no violations there.
• Sites that spread malware - Malware - AdWords Help
  100% safe
• Sites that steal users' personal information - Phishing - AdWords Help
  Nope
• Selling counterfeit goods - Counterfeit goods - AdWords Help
  Nope

But like I said, I'll go to the trouble of asking them for the details they should have given me up front if Bing ads don't work out for me.

[wolfmmiii]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

The popup says "Your Google AdWords account has been permanently suspended for repeated violation of AdWords or Landing Page and Site policies in this or a related account."

Once a site is suspended for Bridge Page violations (Site Policy), you are not permitted to run any further campaigns for it until Google OK's the site. I suspect this is one of the reasons people wind up banned.

If they sent you an email saying you had repeated violations, I'm sure you had repeat violations, whether you realize it or not.

The best thing a person can do (it's probably too late for you) is open dialog with them the first time an ad is disapproved or a site is deemed in violation of Site Policy. I have found them to be very helpful whenever I've asked them for feedback about a site. This is why I now have very few issues with getting affiliate sites approved.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

Once a site is suspended for Bridge Page violations (Site Policy), you are not permitted to run any further campaigns for it until Google OK's the site. I suspect this is one of the reasons people wind up banned.

If they sent you an email saying you had repeated violations, I'm sure you had repeat violations, whether you realize it or not.

The best thing a person can do (it's probably too late for you) is open dialog with them the first time an ad is disapproved or a site is deemed in violation of Site Policy. I have found them to be very helpful whenever I've asked them for feedback about a site. This is why I now have very few issues with getting affiliate sites approved.

I did have a niche site I built out of frustration at the uselessness of search results in the niche. It did get a bridge page violation, but I removed the campaign (was a test anyway) and tweaked the site to make it more appealing and figured that was enough.

That probably is what did it. I'll take your advice and send a request in.

[wolfmmiii]

This is where you want to go:

Website Usefulness - AdWords Help

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

This is where you want to go:

Website Usefulness - AdWords Help

I sent it through the form I used to get it reactivated after cancelling it years ago (never used it, don't like leaving accounts open) before seeing your post.

Hopefully they're organized enough internally to see it was in error and forward it to the correct inbox.

[wolfmmiii]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

Hopefully they're organized enough internally to see it was in error and forward it to the correct inbox.

Unfortunately, probably not since it's virtually all automated.

[Raul991]

It is possible to make money in the smaller PPC networks like AdCenter or 7Search. You just have to adapt to their systems and work your way to the profit. In ad marketing it is definitely possible to make nice money without Google.

After I worked with Pay Per Click Formula 2.0, I moved away from Google in the most part. If you are really serious about making money with PPC then I definitely advise you to work through some high quality learning material.

If you were already very succesful with Adwords then you will not have any problems making the other platforms work for you.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by Raul991

It is possible to make money in the smaller PPC networks like AdCenter or 7Search. You just have to adapt to their systems and work your way to the profit. In ad marketing it is definitely possible to make nice money without Google.

After I worked with Pay Per Click Formula 2.0, I moved away from Google in the most part. If you are really serious about making money with PPC then I definitely advise you to work through some high quality learning material.

If you were already very succesful with Adwords then you will not have any problems making the other platforms work for you.

Unfortunately, I never got started. The initial violation came while my account was still in cancelled status, and I only got a few impressions on the one I put thought into before they suspended me.

[Raul991]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

Unfortunately, I never got started. The initial violation came while my account was still in cancelled status, and I only got a few impressions on the one I put thought into before they suspended me.

Ok, I understand, but remember that Adwords is not the only solution if you want to make money with PPC.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by Raul991

Ok, I understand, but remember that Adwords is not the only solution if you want to make money with PPC.

Thanks for letting me know about a few more options.

[TheInternet]

I haven't gotten an email, but my account appears to be unsuspended. I think their review bot saw this post, noted the "get rich quick," and mistook it for a post advocating something that violated their policies.

The time wasn't completely wasted. I got some experience with PPC on Bing, and have $150 in free credit between AdWords and Bing to work with. And now I know other networks exist if I want to try something else.

edit: My first attempt at an AdWords campaign didn't give me much hope. Started out at a front page bid estimate of .06-.08 for each keyword and a quality score of 7. Now the score is 3-4 and an estimate of $1+.

That makes no sense.

[wolfmmiii]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

edit: My first attempt at an AdWords campaign didn't give me much hope. Started out at a front page bid estimate of .06-.08 for each keyword and a quality score of 7. Now the score is 3-4 and an estimate of $1+.

That makes no sense.

Careful! This sounds like the landing page may be violating site policy / bridge page guidelines.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

Careful! This sounds like the landing page may be violating site policy / bridge page guidelines.

There is no way this page is in violation. If that's in violation then there's just no point in trying to figure Google out.

It would reveal itself to be a capricious god not worth advertising with. And I hope it's just a quirk because I'd like to be able to use this free $100 Google gave me.

[wolfmmiii]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

There is no way this page is in violation. If that's in violation then there's just no point in trying to figure Google out.

I will eat my hat if that site is not in violation.

Here is a site that is approved: ASUS A53SV-EH71 Review | Laptop & Tech Review

See the difference?

[tryinhere]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

There is no way this page is in violation. If that's in violation then there's just no point in trying to figure Google out.

.

? your collecting personal information ? where is your privacy policy ?

[wolfmmiii]

I don't see OP collecting personal info but yeah, there still needs to be a privacy policy somewhere that, at a minimum, explains what they do with the emails they collect.

However, even with that, this page will be squashed by AdWords.

[TheInternet]

I didn't know a privacy policy was a requirement. I'll go work on one. What else about the page is a problem? Newsletter signup forms are pretty standard.

edit: Apparently I'm blind. I see it now. I added a similar note to my signup forms, and put a link to my new privacy policy in the footer: http://www.mkronline.com/privacy-policy/

[wolfmmiii]

I'm not sure a privacy policy is actually "required" but it adds to the legitimacy of the site.

Step back and imagine yourself as someone not affiliated with the site. Would you honestly find that page helpful or trustworthy?

There is very little content and the content that is there is very vague.

Google wants only the best sites showing up for AdWords ads. This is not one of them.

You are probably also violating Amazon TOS by soliciting clicks (Shop at Amazon.com to support Bit of Life). I could be wrong though. However, you might want to follow up on that.

[tryinhere]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

I'm not sure a privacy policy is actually "required" but it adds to the legitimacy of the site.

.

2. Be Transparent

If you do request personal information, provide a privacy policy that discloses how the information will be used.

Landing page and site quality guidelines - AdWords Help

requests of personal emails would constitute personal information ex. we will not distribute email to third parties rady rady, also look at all support pages as suggested, about us contact terms to name a few

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by wolfmmiii

I'm not sure a privacy policy is actually "required" but it adds to the legitimacy of the site.

Step back and imagine yourself as someone not affiliated with the site. Would you honestly find that page helpful or trustworthy?

There is very little content and the content that is there is very vague.

Google wants only the best sites showing up for AdWords ads. This is not one of them.

You are probably also violating Amazon TOS by soliciting clicks (Shop at Amazon.com to support Bit of Life). I could be wrong though. However, you might want to follow up on that.

I actually got that idea from Daring Fireball, which is pretty high authority in the tech world. I'll take it out and email Amazon to double check.

And you're the first person to say anything but good things about the site. What's vague about it? I try to cover things with enough depth to make it useful.

[wolfmmiii]

My quality standards are much higher than many folks. I've never been a proponent of building a site and then filling it with a bunch of articles.

I don't mean to call you out but since you did ask:

• The site design is bland
• The little bit of content I read was just vanilla. Although it can be done, it is very difficult to provide any kind of extremely useful information about most topics in 300 words or less.
• There is too much white space (in my opinion) and page formatting could use some work.

Look at your site/landing page and look at the one I provided earlier in the thread. The differences are huge when it comes to site design and content creation.

[John Hocking]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

There is no way this page is in violation. If that's in violation then there's just no point in trying to figure Google out.

It would reveal itself to be a capricious god not worth advertising with. And I hope it's just a quirk because I'd like to be able to use this free $100 Google gave me.

I get a page not found. Did you remove to page?

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by John Hocking

I get a page not found. Did you remove to page?

wolfmmiii was right. I removed some thin content (that post included) for review and nudged the site back to a mostly default TwentyTen.

[TheInternet]

I'm getting a lot of visits from this thread, so I thought I would post an update since someone's probably linking it somewhere. The account is unsuspended, and I've had positive conversations with AdWords representatives about specific campaigns over the last few months.

Things are all good now.

[Brad Anderson]

Bing traffic is terrible if you use their search partners. Make sure you turn that off and only check traffic from Bing and Yahoo. Not much volume that's the biggest problem with Bing.

[TheInternet]

Originally Posted by Brad Anderson

Bing traffic is terrible if you use their search partners. Make sure you turn that off and only check traffic from Bing and Yahoo. Not much volume that's the biggest problem with Bing.

That would explain the high volume, poor CTR, and cheap clicks I was seeing on AdCenter.

[matchoo77]

Originally Posted by TheInternet

I'm getting a lot of visits from this thread, so I thought I would post an update since someone's probably linking it somewhere. The account is unsuspended, and I've had positive conversations with AdWords representatives about specific campaigns over the last few months.

Things are all good now.

Hmmm...that's the second person I've seen of WF claiming a reinstated adwords account. The big G finally welcoming us rascally internet marketers back? Doubt it but I will keep my eye out for more threads about this sort of thing.

[TheInternet]

I got suspended again. Here's the fun part: I was suspended for the same campaign. The one they suspended in error the first time (by their own admission). The only thing I changed was the theme on the target site (from Blogger's Simple to dynamic views). It took less effort to get it reversed this time, but I think that's because I skipped to the "give this support ticket to someone with authority" part sooner.

I'm not sure I want to give them another chance.

[uoftenwinny]

I think it's better to ask Google for detail , it's non-sense.