[Alan Mater]

Hi Everyone,

For anyone using Google Adsense, you should have gotten an email that goes something like this...

Hi,

We're writing to let you know about the upcoming launch of interest-based advertising, which will require you to review and make any necessary changes to your site's privacy policies. You'll also see some new options on your Account Settings page.

Interest-based advertising will allow advertisers to show ads based on a user's previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. "sports enthusiast"). To develop interest categories, we will recognize the types of web pages users visit throughout the Google content network. As an example, if they visit a number of sports pages, we will add them to the "sports enthusiast" interest category. To learn more about your associated account settings, please visit the AdSense Help Center at http://www.google.com/adsense/suppor...py?topic=20310.

As a result of this announcement, your privacy policy will now need to reflect the use of interest-based advertising. Please review the information at https://www.google.com/adsense/suppo...?answer=100557 to ensure that your site's privacy policies are up-to-date, and make any necessary changes by April 8, 2009. Because publisher sites and laws vary across countries, we're unfortunately unable to suggest specific privacy policy language.

For more information about interest-based advertising, you can also visit the Inside AdSense Blog at Inside AdSense: Driving monetization with ads that reach the right audience.

We appreciate your participation and look forward to this upcoming enhancement.

Sincerely,

The Google AdSense Team

It states that we should update our privacy policy on our website to reflect this new interest-based advertising that they're implementing.

My question would be how to go about changing our privacy policies, or if there's actually a need to.

Anyone have any opinions on this?

Thanks,

Alan

[Matt Helphrey]

Hi Allen,

I got that same message. It just sounds like they are going to be using a different way of tracking information about visitors to an Adsense site. Sort of a 'big brother' approach if you will.

And if you are using Adsense and have a page on your website that deals with all the legal mumbo jumbo, i.e. legal disclaimer, copyright, privacy policy and the like you may want to let people know that Google is watching their every move...er search.

I am not going to change anything and probably won't worry too much about it.

Best,

Matt

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by Matt Helphrey

Hi Allen,

I got that same message. It just sounds like they are going to be using a different way of tracking information about visitors to an Adsense site. Sort of a 'big brother' approach if you will.

And if you are using Adsense and have a page on your website that deals with all the legal mumbo jumbo, i.e. legal disclaimer, copyright, privacy policy and the like you may want to let people know that Google is watching their every move...er search.

I am not going to change anything and probably won't worry too much about it.

Best,

Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the reply. I have a privacy policy page but wasn't sure if I should add anything in there about this. Like you, I probably won't worry about it.

Thanks!

[kazakhan]

Originally Posted by Matt Helphrey

I am not going to change anything and probably won't worry too much about it.

I wont be changing anything either, i don't make enough with Adsense to be concerned. I'll probably remove adsense from my sites in the next few weeks.

[GT]

Hello:

As PIPS members, we do have a Privacy Policy on our PIPS sales page, if not on our personal website:

http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/privacy.html

...It's at the very bottom of the PIPS sales page.

I am considering taking the PIPS privacy policy, modifying it to become my personal privacy policy for my website and posting it on my site. I've initiated discussion about this over in the PIPS Power Group forum but haven't been back there yet today to see if there are any new comments.

I have mixed feelings about what Google is doing but I see it as an obvious (and potentially beneficial) result of advances in technology. The concept is good, as long as the "Big Brother" aspect that Matt suggested doesn't get out of control.

GT

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by GT

Hello:

As PIPS members, we do have a Privacy Policy on our PIPS sales page, if not on our personal website:

http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/privacy.html

...It's at the very bottom of the PIPS sales page.

I am considering taking the PIPS privacy policy, modifying it to become my personal privacy policy for my website and posting it on my site.

GT

Hi GT,

I have already done this. I wrote a blog post about using your privacy policy to build trust and help with getting more newsletter signups. That can be read here... Create Credibility with Your Site Visitors by Having a Clear Privacy Statement | Work From Home Resources Blog.

Not too sure if many people will actually take the time to read through my privacy policy or anything, though. Thought I'd post it here and see what other people thought about this change and if we should include it in our privacy statement somewhere.

[GT]

Originally Posted by Alan Mater

Hi GT,

I have already done this. I wrote a blog post about using your privacy policy to build trust and help with getting more newsletter signups. That can be read here... Create Credibility with Your Site Visitors by Having a Clear Privacy Statement | Work From Home Resources Blog.

Not too sure if many people will actually take the time to read through my privacy policy or anything, though.

Hi, Alan:

Great blog post! And great tool! I bookmarked the link in my computer favourites and I also Social Bookmarked your blog post to StumbleUpon and Onlywire.

I hear what you're saying, too, about whether or not people will actually read the Privacy Statement. At one time, I think people were concerned about it. Now, I think we're all tired of reading too many statements and contracts and don't really have faith in many of them anyway! LOL

But I do think it is wise to post a Policy Statement - even if they don't read it, it shows that the site owner is thinking about the issue and is trying to do the right thing.

GT

[Sipboy3000]

Yeah I received the same email as well. I also won't be changing my stuff either because adsense is online a very small fraction of my income online.

The key to this change is that the Content Network will have better targeted ads which means BIG benefits for content network advertisers like me!

I posted some information on this subject earlier. I called it Google's Interest-Based Advertising Effect. I discuss what it means for advertisers who use the content network.

[Biggy Fat]

I got the same e-mail, but now Adsense isn't showing up on my Wordpress site at all. A site that I intend to flip, that is. It has a privacy policy on there and everything haha.

Was working just fine with the other sites.

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by GT

Hi, Alan:

Great blog post! And great tool! I bookmarked the link in my computer favourites and I also Social Bookmarked your blog post to StumbleUpon and Onlywire.

I hear what you're saying, too, about whether or not people will actually read the Privacy Statement. At one time, I think people were concerned about it. Now, I think we're all tired of reading too many statements and contracts and don't really have faith in many of them anyway! LOL

But I do think it is wise to post a Policy Statement - even if they don't read it, it shows that the site owner is thinking about the issue and is trying to do the right thing.

GT

Much appreciated, GT. That's actually one of the earlier posts from my new blog. Whether or not people will take the time to read it, I think it helps to at least have the link visible and available. This should create at least some credibility, for whatever it's worth.

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by Sipboy3000

Yeah I received the same email as well. I also won't be changing my stuff either because adsense is online a very small fraction of my income online.

The key to this change is that the Content Network will have better targeted ads which means BIG benefits for content network advertisers like me!

I posted some information on this subject earlier. I called it Google's Interest-Based Advertising Effect. I discuss what it means for advertisers who use the content network.

Very nice blog post. I never got around to advertising on the content network, except for one product which I only sold maybe twice. I would have to do more research and testing, and then even more so now that this new system is brought to light.

I can see why you would be happy. I'm sure many advertisers have been wanting this for quite some time now.

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by Biggy Fat

I got the same e-mail, but now Adsense isn't showing up on my Wordpress site at all. A site that I intend to flip, that is. It has a privacy policy on there and everything haha.

Was working just fine with the other sites.

Hmm... that's weird. Let us know if you can get it working again or if you find out what's causing them to not show up.

[Sipboy3000]

Thanks Alan, for reading my post. If you do any ppc advertising, I would really encourage you to look into using the content network. I am currently working on a product that teaches how I use it. I will be looking for some users to give me feedback before the initial rollout. If you are interested, PM me and I will add you to the list I have so far.

It will include free access to everything so I can fine tune the product before I release it.

All I want in exchange is honest feedback and a video testimonial. Let me know if you are interested.

[MBeshr]

hi
if i signed up with adsense using my blog what will happen?

does the blog need privacy policy

thanks
MBeshr

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by MBeshr

hi
if i signed up with adsense using my blog what will happen?

does the blog need privacy policy

thanks
MBeshr

Personally I wouldn't worry about it. Most visitors may not even be aware of this. As a PIPS member, you already have a Privacy Policy built into your site. Your blog isn't going to have one, but if you move your blog over to your site, which is recommended, then the Policy for your site would then also apply to your blog.

It's really up to you. I haven't changed my Policy, and I'm not sure if I will. Maybe if I have nothing better to do I will... LOL.

[MBeshr]

Originally Posted by Alan Mater

Personally I wouldn't worry about it. Most visitors may not even be aware of this. As a PIPS member, you already have a Privacy Policy built into your site. Your blog isn't going to have one, but if you move your blog over to your site, which is recommended, then the Policy for your site would then also apply to your blog.

It's really up to you. I haven't changed my Policy, and I'm not sure if I will. Maybe if I have nothing better to do I will... LOL.

thanks Alan
but
1- where is the privacy policy in my site ?
2-if my blog is not hosted in my site what i must do ?

thanks
MBeshr

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by MBeshr

thanks Alan
but
1- where is the privacy policy in my site ?
2-if my blog is not hosted in my site what i must do ?

thanks
MBeshr

The Privacy Policy is on your PIPS sales page. I've added the link to it on my home page and blog under my newsletter form. You don't have to do this, but it builds credibility for you as a site owner.

As suggested in the 30 Days Guide, your blog would assist you better by being hosted on your site. You can find all the details and directions in the 30 Days Guide on how to do this. It's very simple to do.

[Roy J. Keller]

Originally Posted by GT

Hi, Alan:............
But I do think it is wise to post a Policy Statement - even if they don't read it, it shows that the site owner is thinking about the issue and is trying to do the right thing.

GT

GT,

You are very wise for in the US most people would be surprised to find out that it is actually one of the required by law items all websites are to have. Not sure about other contries.

I also no longer have adsense since back in 2007 after having it on my blog for 1 year and only making $14 Google sent me an e-mail stating that my account had been closed and I was perminately blacklisted and could not have another adsense account or my $14 since they found my blog on a free traffic exchange(TrafficSwarm) which is against their terms of service. By the way I see sites every day on TS with adsense on their site(some are totally adsense) but it is in their terms of use, I checked. I guess I was just the lucky one that got nabbed.

As for this new policy I would guess that they will be as fickle with it as they are with all their rules. Meaning from time to time they will catch one here and one there and delete them as an example and more than likely void their commisions as well, but only time will tell I guess. They have a need to flex their muscles and toss their weight around from time to time just to let everyone know they are king.

Regards,
Roy

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by Roy J. Keller

I also no longer have adsense since back in 2007 after having it on my blog for 1 year and only making $14 Google sent me an e-mail stating that my account had been closed and I was perminately blacklisted and could not have another adsense account or my $14 since they found my blog on a free traffic exchange(TrafficSwarm) which is against their terms of service. By the way I see sites every day on TS with adsense on their site(some are totally adsense) but it is in their terms of use, I checked. I guess I was just the lucky one that got nabbed.

Regards,
Roy

Yeah, I pulled my Adsense ads off my home page before promoting my site on TS. Better safe than sorry. Sorry to hear that, Roy.

[Roy J. Keller]

Originally Posted by Alan Mater

Yeah, I pulled my Adsense ads off my home page before promoting my site on TS. Better safe than sorry. Sorry to hear that, Roy.

Alan,

That sounds like to much work if you change your ads at TS often. As for losing the $14 and my adsense account no biggie since it took a year to get that much and I spend 5X that much on smokes every two weeks. But thanks!

Regards,
Roy

[Alan Mater]

Originally Posted by Roy J. Keller

Alan,

That sounds like to much work if you change your ads at TS often. As for losing the $14 and my adsense account no biggie since it took a year to get that much and I spend 5X that much on smokes every two weeks. But thanks!

Regards,
Roy

I usually run the same ads. If anything I change the ad title or description for testing. It wasn't much work at all.

Wow... I couldn't afford to be a smoker!

Take Care!

[Roy J. Keller]

Originally Posted by Alan Mater

I usually run the same ads. If anything I change the ad title or description for testing. It wasn't much work at all.

Wow... I couldn't afford to be a smoker!

Take Care!

Well Alan,

4/1/09 they are going up another $7 per carton in our area so not sure how much longer my habit will be around either. I smoked for 20 years then quit for 8 years and this time I have been at for another 20 years so it may be time to quit again anyway.

Regards,
Roy