Google AdSense / AdWords - New Referral Model

According to Stephan Google has changed their AdSense/AdWords referral model. He only received $10 for two referrals he made and sent an email to Google to investigate. This is what Google said:

“Thank you for the email. I’m happy to say that we’ve now changed the payment model for referrals so you’ll earn more from now on. You’ll, as it has happened, get $5 when a user you’ve signed up earns $5. When the user has earned $100 and complies with the general terms of service for referrals you’ll get additionally $250 on top of the $5 - total $255. This is brand new and we’re right now updating our help center with this information.”

This is great for us bloggers. It means we are practically guaranteed to make something when we get a referral and well, $250 says it all. There is nothing officially released to explain this on the AdSense homepage just yet.

This increase in payment demonstrates the gargantuan profits Google reported. It looks like they are out to get more publishers and are willing to pay for it.

Google to Pay YouTubers Ad Money Share

It was announced on BBC News that Google is going to start "rewarding creativity". They will plaster ads all over Youtube and pay YouTubers a share of the money. This has been confirmed by Chad Hurley the founder of YouTube which now has over 70million users a month.

The system will not be implemented for a few months and we are assured that the ads will not ruin YouTube, a possibility is that there will be 'three second long clips'. Who knows exactly what this means but knowing Google’s uncanny ability to squeeze every last drop of money from a site and still keep people coming back I am predicting this will make Google and talented YouTubers alike ALOT of money.

Google Alerts

I have recently been discovering the delights of Google Alerts. As you all know, to be successful with a blog you need to have the latest information and be up to date with what is going on. Sometimes if you are on of the first to find something out you can get the scoop and get Dugg, which causes a MAJOR influx of traffic to your site.

Google Alerts helps you do this, and potentially provides you with infinite content. You just need to have a Google account and your good to go. You type in a few keywords e.g. 'affiliate programme' and Google will scour the net for the latest things people have been saying using your keywords. (I have found that using 'affiliate programme' as my keyword, Google have found what I have already written on this site and gives it to me again as the latest info which is quite reassuring!).

You can choose the type of site you want Google to crawl (groups, web, blog, news or comprehensive). I use comprehensive, which gives the broadest range of alerts.

Google alerts you by Email and you can choose how often you want them to do this, be it once a week, as it happens or once a day. I go for once a day. This way each day I can have a browse of the alerts which not only makes me more of an expert in my niche, but also provides me with juicy, fresh content.

Don't be alarmed by news you missed, be alerted before everyone else knows about it.

Google Updates AdSense TOS

Google has updated their AdSense TOS which now prevent any kind of competitive ad being used with them. Jensense had all the details:

"Competitive Ads and Services In order to prevent user confusion, we do not permit Google ads or search boxes to be published on websites that also contain other ads or services formatted to use the same layout and colours as the Google ads or search boxes on that site. Although you may sell ads directly on your site, it is your responsibility to ensure these ads cannot be confused with Google ads."

But what does it all mean?

"What does this mean for publishers? If you are running YPN and AdSense on a 50/50 ad rotation using the same or very similar colour palettes, you would now be in violation of AdSense policies. Likewise, if you are running AdSense on one part of your site, and YPN on another part, you would now also be in violation of the policies if you are using the same or similar colour palettes.

However, this also affects ad units that mimic AdSense, yet are not contextual based, something that was always well within the AdSense terms and policies before now. So if you are selling text ads or running affiliate links in ad units that mimic AdSense, you will be in violation of the terms."

So basically Google are making it harder for publishers to use their competitors adverts as well as AdSense ads. If you have any ads that break these new TOS you need to change them now!