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 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!

Get MORE from adsense

Adsblacklist can increase your pages eCPM. They way it works is simple. You enter keywords relating to your blog/website. It then comes up with a comprehensive list of 200 sites that are LOW PAYERS for adsense. You then copy and past this list into your adsense blacklist (this is all explained on Adsblacklist. Then, over the next few days those sites are blocked by adsense so that only the sites that pay high rates will be allowed to advertise on your site.

My personal experience with Adsblacklist has given mixed results. I have only just implemented this on this blog so I eagerly await the results!

You may be aware that only the highest payers are ones that advertise on your site, as that is part of what adsense does. This may be true so the usefulness of Adsblacklist is debateable. I have also heard of cases where it has drastically increased revenue. I say give it try, and if it doesn’t work remove the sites from your blacklist.