Google Bans More Services in AdWords

Okay, this is just awesome. I had some ads banned by Google and they sent me to their “ban list” only the product I was promoting wasn’t on the list. I was told, “It falls in this area” which was ridiculous. It would be as if I sold flowers online for men to give to women on a date and Google said “that is in the same class as prostitution.”

Is it just me or is it getting more difficult to advertise effectively with Google? Hopefully it is just a phase and we can return to normalcy soon.

Here are some of my personal favorite banned products/services:

Academic Aids: They just recently added this one which won’t allow companies to advertise essays for sale to college and high school students. Can’t write that essay that is due tomorrow? No problem! Buy it online! I still remember the episode of “Welcome Back Kotter” where that happened … where one of the students bought an essay “on the street” that was originally written by his teacher, Mr. Kotter some 20 years earlier. It seems that colleges and high schools look at this practice as cheating. When did it change? I think they always have.

Aids to Pass Drug Tests: I was an affiliate years ago for a company that SOLD drug tests that you could administer as a high school coach, or even as a parent. As I always do, I bought one to test it and did so on my teenage son. He, of course, passed. But in my research in the market, I came across all the products that “mask” drugs. Wasn’t the best one when the Minnesota Viking’s running back was busted with the “Whizonator” in his carry on bag at the airport? Some people ….

Automated Ad Clicking: Okay, so are you going to be stupid enough to ADVERTISE on Google on how to defraud Google’s system? I mean, comeon, they have all of your contact information including your credit card. Connect the dots … it’s pretty easy.

Bulk Marketing: Same thing here. The government wants to catch the Spammers. Google wants to nail the Spammers. So the Spammers setup an AdWords account with their personal and credit card information. Spammers are getting less intelligent everyday.

Copywrited Works: There have been companies who were advertising in Google on how to purchase copywrited works with no legal right to sell them. Again, they are leaving a nice paper trail for the authorities. It is similar to robbing a 7-11 and leaving your wallet with your ID on the counter as you leave. Not a smart move.

Fake Documents: “Get yourself a fake ID or fake passport at this website.” Hmmm. Do you think the US Homeland Security office would be interested in those ads?

Prostitution: Even though Google says it disallows ads for prostitutes, they still have ads for CraigList.

Go through the ban list yourself and know it well so if you have an add that is regected, you know what is on the list.