AdWords Policies Will be Updated to Ban Essay Writing Sites
According to an article from the BBC, Google will be updating its policies to include essay writing sites in its list of sites that are not allowed to advertise using AdWords. Starting next month, Google will no longer allow ads for “academic paper-writing services and the sale of pre-written essays, theses, and dissertations”.
Google, commenting on the change, says its advertising policies are “developed and evaluated based on multiple factors, including legal and cultural considerations plus user and customer experience”.
And a spokesperson said that the advert ban was expected to be applied across Google’s global network.
Of course, the essay writing companies aren’t too happy, while the universities are applauding the news. To me this ban seems kind of arbitrary. I don’t think these ads provide a poor user experience and they bring in money, so it’s just a matter of Google deciding that this industry is “bad” somehow. What industry is going to be next? Of course Google is allowed to reject any ads they want to, but does it make good business sense?
If you are a publisher who happens to have a site that includes these types of advertisers, I’m sure there will be a dip in AdSense revenue starting next month.
Essay Town Said,
June 6, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
this is not fair!
Toivo Lainevool Said,
June 6, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Essay Town: I guess you would find this not fair. But Google is a business and it’s up to them to decide who they want to do business with.
Wendy Said,
June 11, 2007 @ 11:14 am
I’m a little uncertain what is meant by “essay writing sites”. Does that include Ezine Articles and Associated Content?
A blog is an essay writing site in a sense so does that include blogs I wonder.
Toivo Lainevool Said,
June 11, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Essay writing sites are sites that sell essays on specific topics to college students. An ezine article site would not be considered an essay writing site.
john Said,
June 15, 2007 @ 8:31 am
When exactly will this come into effect? It’s the middle of June and these sites can still advertise.
Toivo Lainevool Said,
June 15, 2007 @ 8:42 am
John,
I would have thought these sites would be banned already. The article was written in May and says “From next month” these sites will be gone.
Not sure why there would be a delay.
Student Essays Said,
August 7, 2007 @ 12:36 am
We don’t use PPC so this won’t effect us.