Against the AdSense TOS or not?

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Snowglass

Is it against adsense TOS to put a link pointing to torrent site like piratebay.com ?

I think it's not because the link is to torrent site NOT the illegal torrent file.

Thanks

Don't confuse illegal with "google can do anything in the hell they want".

I agree with you that it is not illegal per se. However, that being said, that sounds to me like something Google would not take kindly to.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Masters Powerlifting

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602462].message }}

dburk

16 years ago

Hi Snowglass,

That's a definite Yes!

You will be violating the following AdSense policy regarding Content Guidelines:

Publishers may not place AdSense code on pages with content that violates any of our content guidelines. Some examples include content that is adult, violent or advocating racial intolerance.

Sites with Google ads may not include or link to:

Any other content that is illegal, promotes illegal activity or infringes on the legal rights of others

Source: https://www.google.com/adsense/suppo...y?answer=48182

Thanks

Signature

* Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management |
* Don Burk Advertising & Marketing - www.donburk.com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602489].message }}

Erik Ortega

16 years ago

Off the top of my head and don't quote me on this one but I believe AdSense TOS prohibits any sites that condone, aid, or promote illegal activities. An illegal torrent file would constitute this in my opinion.

I wouldn't try to sneak by Google, they don't just ban your acct, I heard that they sometimes ban your IP address so it's goodbye adsense for you if they do that.

Thanks

Signature

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.- Sun Tzu

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602485].message }}

Flyingpig7

16 years ago

I have a feeling that this is against Google adsense TOS.

They may regard it as a bad link relationship (from a bad neighbourhood) one they don't want their adsense advertisers complaining about. Google may put it in the same stable as porn sites, drugs, etc... and so on all against TOS

Also do you really want to risk your account to find out!

Keren

Thanks

Signature

Have a great day

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602496].message }}

tjcocker

16 years ago

You all need to work on your critical reading skills. He's not talking about putting adsense ads directly on thepiratebay, he's talking about just putting a link on his site to them.

While this does NOT violate TOS, it is a link from your site to a bad neighborhood, so you may get penalized as far as the ranking of your site goes.

However, Google doesn't need our permission to follow its own TOS, so they may decide to ban you for any reason, and this could be an excuse for them.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Initrode Consulting -Boulder SEO, Copywriting, Editing, Website design, etc...

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602581].message }}

Jacob Martus 16 years ago

Refer here:
Banned ... - AdSense Help

The person in that thread only linked to file sharing websites, but not directly to illegal downloads on the site. He lost his adsense account. Now it is questionable whether or not they banned his adsense account based on those links or because he didn't have much content on his website...but I wouldn't risk your adsense account on it. Especially because years from now, you might really regret the decision to take that risk.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602628].message }}

dburk

16 years ago

Originally Posted by tjcocker

You all need to work on your critical reading skills. He's not talking about putting adsense ads directly on thepiratebay, he's talking about just putting a link on his site to them.

While this does NOT violate TOS, it is a link from your site to a bad neighborhood, so you may get penalized as far as the ranking of your site goes.

However, Google doesn't need our permission to follow its own TOS, so they may decide to ban you for any reason, and this could be an excuse for them.

Hi tjcocker,

I disagree, see my post above where I cite "Sites with Google ads may not include or link to". They couldn't be any more explicit when they say "or link to". Perhaps you have a different understanding of that phrase, please clarify!

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

Signature

* Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management |
* Don Burk Advertising & Marketing - www.donburk.com

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602634].message }}

Jacob Martus 16 years ago

The funny thing about this is...Google owns Youtube right? And people upload pirated stuff to Youtube all the time. And if you look around you will find adsense on parts of Youtube...so it looks like one of Google's partners is violating their TOS.

And even though Youtube does not condone the uploading of illegal content, it still happens...just like on other file sharing websites. I'm sure thepiratebay has a disclaimer somewhere that they do not condone uploading illegal content/products.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1602690].message }}

tjcocker

16 years ago

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi tjcocker,

I disagree, see my post above where I cite "Sites with Google ads may not include or link to". They couldn't be any more explicit when they say "or link to". Perhaps you have a different understanding of that phrase, please clarify!

Ahh, I must have been bleary eyed when I read that. You're totally right.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Initrode Consulting -Boulder SEO, Copywriting, Editing, Website design, etc...

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1661295].message }}

paulgl 16 years ago

The problem with posting questions that are of the
"Is this against google TOS...."
is that nobody here, I think, works for google.

We can only guess. If you get a whole string of 100%
yes answers to that question, you can probably take that
as a yes. Maybe. The final decision is up to you. The problem
is, we may all be wrong.

My advice to anyone with "against TOS" question, is that if
you are having second thoughts, then don't do it. Or at
least get the REAL answer from google. Peruse their TOS,
forums, and blogs. The answer is there somewhere.

Just remember nobody here speaks for google. I have in the
past quoted right from their website, however.

Most of these threads morph into yes, no, yes, no, maybe....

Paul
- Thanks
Signature

If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1661801].message }}

NicheCowboy

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Snowglass

Is it against adsense TOS to put a link pointing to torrent site like piratebay.com ?

I think it's not because the link is to torrent site NOT the illegal torrent file.

Thanks

I wouldn't.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1660955].message }}

CloudTap

16 years ago

I would not risk linking to a site like this.

also worth mentioning, I had a friend get a virus and need to format just from searching on the pirate bay.

I'd not chance it for more than one reason.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1661913].message }}

tjcocker

16 years ago

Originally Posted by CloudTap

I would not risk linking to a site like this.

also worth mentioning, I had a friend get a virus and need to format just from searching on the pirate bay.

I'd not chance it for more than one reason.

LOL.... just from searching?? What was he running, Windows 95 and IE? If you know anything about anti-virus protection you'll be perfectly fine. Get firefox, spybot, AVG, Malwarebytes, and noScript... all free.