A word of caution to Adsense users

I see it a lot in forums, and I would like to warn you to be careful about posting the stats from your earnings reports. Here's the text from Google's Adsense Terms of Service, section 7.

"Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google's prior written consent. "Google Confidential Information" includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Property performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as "Confidential" or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program. Google Confidential Information does not include information that has become publicly known through no breach by You or Google, or information that has been (i) independently developed without access to Google Confidential Information, as evidenced in writing; (ii) rightfully received by You from a third party; or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or by a governmental authority."

Now there's a lot about this that I kind of find confusing, but one thing in particular that I see is that you should NOT disclose your click-through rates. My personal policy is to not disclose any of the other information given in my Adsense report. As it says though, you may state your gross payments.

I've seen a lot of people complaining about Google terminating their account for "no reason." It wouldn't surprise me if there's a lot of people that have had their accounts banned for disclosing confidential information. So, don't start threads asking about what everyone's highest paid click is, it just might get you in trouble.

A few quick tips

Here's some advice when dealing with your publishing accounts and promoting your site.

*Don't click on the ads on your site. You can get banned!

*Become active in message board communities, Google groups, Yahoo groups etc. Put links to your site(s) in your signatures. Try to be a contributing member rather than spam your links everywhere.

*Link exchange with sites in your niche.

*Submit your site to search engines.

*Submit your site to directories. It can take a while for your site to be added as directories are manually editted by real people.

*Bookmark your site on social bookmarking webpages.

*Submit articles to article publishing sites, you can add a link to your site.

*Post comments on other people's blogs.

*Post links on your Myspace, Facebook etc profiles.

*Quality content is the key. Don't copy other people's work, make it your own, and make it worth coming back to.

*If you're unsure of something look it up online or post a new thread in a message board and ask your question.

*Determine good ad placement.