Warning - BlogRush May Violate The Adsense Terms Of Service

have been asked about this numerous times today and I don't think that it is true. A traffic exchange program generally gives people incentive to visit a site or forcing traffic to a site - where as this program is simply putting links on your site to others - leaving whether the traffic is created up to your readers.

I've talked to John Reese from BlogRush about it and he's said the same thing.

That's very nice to hear, Darren. If it WAS true, then most of us bloggers would have been really disappointed (especially John Reese himself).

dont matter to me - google took away and disabled my adsese - blah for google and yes there are tons of post about blogrush out there

@darren - If I want my add to show in the widget on your site I will for sure be creating invalid impressions on your site until the others run out of credits and my links start showing.

Just one example how the system could be easily gamed to create incentive for "invalid impressions" on your site and put you in the questionable area.

I mentioned I wasn't 100% that Blogrush was against the TOS, but I would rather err on the safe side.

And the fact that you have been getting asked if this violates the Terms of service all day speaks for itself.

This is a good point to raise, but I think that BlogRush should be ok.

"interested in using traffic exchanges to bring traffic to their site"

Isn't BlogRush exchanging LINKS and not TRAFFIC? There is no guarantee of traffic, just a swap of links that might turn into traffic.

"our program policies strictly prohibit any means of artificially generating ad impressions or clicks"

There is no incentive for people to click the links show by BlogRush, as the credits are awarded for page displays, not clicks. If you somehow encouraged people to click your AdSense links via BlogRush, then there would def. be a problem.

Certainly something to keep an eye on, tho - just in case. :)

Hmm, good point. It is 100% javascript, and does not provide any link/pr/authority sharing, so I doubt it, but I guess we will never know until some unlucky soul gets banned for it.

Advertisement unit price interested in using traffic exchanges to bring traffic to their site

"artificially generating ad impressions or clicks"

As far as I can figure, BlogRush impressions aren't artificial. Programs or paid people that repeatedly reload web pages or custom site crawlers that impersonate humans are artificial. Google has ways to detect them, including human monitors.

A person clicking on a widget link generated via javascript has not, so far as I know, been any kind of issue with AdSense over the past years. I mean, think about all the widgets out there where a click takes you to another blog. If it wasn't a problem already, I can't imagine that it would suddenly be a problem, now.

@kitchendon - "Isn't BlogRush exchanging LINKS and not TRAFFIC?"

I really don't want to put myself in a position of playing word games with the adsense team ;-)

Their video doesn't talk about blogrush being a great way to trade a link or a great way to get more impressions, they talk about blogrush being a great way to get more TRAFFIC to your blog by exchanging widgets on each others sites.

@wordhugger - "but I guess we will never know until some unlucky soul gets banned for it."

exactly my point, I would rather that sucker not be me or any 45n5'rs ;-)

@micheal - "artificially generating ad impressions or clicks" - in my first comment I gave the most obvious reason of why Blogrush encourages invalid impressions on sites using Blogrush.

But the difference between link exchange and traffic exchange is very important when dealing with google. Google is firmly against link exchanges if they dont use the nofollow, this is javascript so thats not a problem.

So the question is does blogrush artificially create traffic? No, you can rack up your impressions all you want and the fact is no one is going to click on your link unless the title interests them thus blogrush promotes an increase in traffic to quality posts(or atleast cleverly titled posts) without passing off pr something google is for.

@all - I'm not the only one that thinks this smells like "traffic exchange"

"But while we try to be open minded about new sites, the BlogRush idea does hark back to “Web 1.0″ traffic exchanges."

http://mashable.com/2007/09/15/blogrush/

Once again, I'm not 100% this is against the terms, I just want people be cautious about these types of programs, especially if you value your adsense account.

I have mentioned this form of 'adgregation' on my blog. This idea is not new but has a new angle. The real winner here is going to be John Reese and why not he did make the effort to come up with the idea and get it going.

BlogRush isn't your typical traffic exchange program. What Google is talking about here is sites like BlogSoldiers dot com, or TrafficSwarm dot com. In other words, sites that force people into looking at sites to earn credits so that they can have traffic delivered to their site.

BlogRush is a "syndication network" (not to be confused with a "traffic exchange program") that lists the title of other articles out there that are related to the article that they're already reading. When people click on the ads, they want to read the articles they click on and they're not forced into going, which is Google's main concern.

What was quotes here in their TOS here was speaking of artificially generating clicks on the ads produced by Google AdSense, therefore causing the advertisers to pay for absolutely nothing. In what way does BlogRush contribute to such activity?

As I see it, there is absolutely no issue involved here. Just a misinterpretation of the way you understand BlogRush to function.

Wow great linkbait and way to burn bridges.

@shoemoney - you are one to lecture on burning bridges? the first time I ever saw your blog you were calling out problogger and chitika.

I'm just offering my opinion, take it or leave it.

definitely blogrush DOES NOT violate adsense tos

Yes I did call out Darren out like 2 years ago or whatever it was... when Chitika changed there payout structure after they were pretty established.

Someday I hope you launch a product like this and the first couple days of the launch have some jackass write "WARNING GOOGLE MIGHT BAN YOU IF YOU INSTALL IT"

You know godamn good and well there is not a chance in hell Google Adsense will ban anyone for this. You're whole goal was to get some attention and take a shot at one of the most well known and successful internet marketers.

You totally have a right to your opinion.. just like how most people who understand the industry and have tried to launch a quality product will form theres. pz

btw people who have shitloads of amazon scraper "made for Adsense content should not throw rocks.

http://calender.45n5.com/product/0740766422

Until Google weighs in it is just a guessing game on our part. And I really doubt they will weigh in as they've never been explicitly clear on things like stumble upon, or digg.

"You know godamn good and well there is not a chance in hell Google Adsense will ban anyone for this."

No I don't know that, and THAT is the reason I made this post. I see people complain almost every day they get banned for "no apparent reason" from adsense.

So when I see see objective people call Blogrush a "traffic exchange" program (http://mashable.com/2007/09/15/blogrush/) and also see Adsense say that people will be banned for Traffic Exchange programs (see above), I simply pointed this out.

I agree, I hope I do launch a product like this and some "jackass" writes whatever he wants about it. It's his damn blog. I'll give him more respect than kissing somebody's @ss anyday of the week.

If this is link bait all I can say is you've risked your credibility for it.

I don't believe for a minute that this will be an issue for Google. It's a genuine syndication of posts for those of us that could use the boost. Think I'll risk it.

Why would this ruin his cred? It's a freaking blog with opinions, and all subjective.. Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

@rex: because 45n5.com is a subject "expert" blog, not a personal blog. Meaning the things he posts affect his credibility as a self proclaimed subject matter expert.

@rex - thanks for the comment ;-)

On the subject of credibility: Encouraging people to use caution before jumping into the next flavor of the day traffic exchange program should ADD to my credibility in the space.

Read the last line of the original post before posting a response here, I say "Proceed With Caution".

wow, some pretty angry reactions here. I don't see how Mark is burning any bridges by voicing an opinion and exploring possibilities.

What's wrong with exploring the service, looking at it from different angles, generating some discussion? Isn't that what Blogging is all about?

People seem to really be defensive about this new "blogrush" program. I can't get over how many big names jumped on this program so fast.

45n5 - I truly appreciate your post. Made me think twice about using the program as for some of us smaller marketers - adsense is one of our top money making programs. Appreciate the heads up.

Shoe - don't you think you are being a bit harsh? It seems to me like this isn't a topic without a clear cut answer.

@kitchendon - thanks for the comment ;-)

"What's wrong with exploring the service, looking at it from different angles, generating some discussion? Isn't that what Blogging is all about?"

Amen.

@ryan - It is very odd that 1. so many people are pushing it like it's free money 2. are also quite defensive about it. Maybe we missed the memo. You are welcome for the post, thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Wouldn't it just be better for someone to ask Google AdSense what they think about it? I've added it to a non adsensed blog to see how it does and if it's worth it. I can understand Mark's thoughts on it, but then again I don't understand half the AdSense TOS ;)

I can understand Mark's cautious approach to this, especially with the open-ended wording of the TOS, and appreciate it. But guys, at the end of the day, you have choices, go along with what you think is best. I've gone ahead adding the widget and will keep a lookout if it really does violate anything.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for Google to come out and make a public statement about whether or not BlogRush conforms (or otherwise) to AdSense TOS. That's not their style.

Personally I can see no reason why BlogRush would violate AdSense TOS. As far as I can see it is no different to any of the other news aggregators out there which don't violate TOS.

I DON'T think it violates Google's AdSense program.

I believe what Google means by "third-party services such as paid-to-click, paid-to-surf, auto-surf, and click-exchange programs" is programs like 126hits.com -- where traffic is generated automatically by just entering a url in your browser and letting it surf automatically between sites. You then earn credits, which is then used up to display your site -- also automatically. This is fake traffic, meaning the majority of suers don't even notice your site.

The other paid-to programs are similar where users get paid in pennies or credits to visit a site.

Blog Rush is simply a link exchange program, which many people do use to build up links.

WOW !
What a topic I missed ..

With my bad english (btw, how many of above posters are NATIVE english speakers ? Is second to none if english is SECOND spoken after official language in a country, yet not native ..), all I understood from 2 reads of post was :

1- is a warning post, expresing blogger opinion-doubt-fear-whatever. THAT IS WHAT A F**** BLOG IS FOR.
2- so many "big" names comes in to shut Mark up, which for me means "allways 'elite' members will protect eachothers", nothing new under the sun.
3- If person "X" think that expressing a doubt, a fear, a (real or not) issue, in a honest-toward-readers-way is the path to diminish one`s credibility, then I really feel sorry for people who are forced to live around that person "X".
4- I notice that mark have pointed a personal doubt and supported the doubt with a quote from a TOS. NONE others - including "big" names - didn`t show up with a counter-quote to solve the doubt, yet they expressed them anger toward Mark (I perceived as anger, yet remember, I never learned english).

I`ll quote some third party opinion here, with no link:

"There’s a new exchange in town."
"Then every page view on your blog earns you credits. The credits are used to get your blog headlines displayed in the same widget on other people’s blogs."
"Also, BlogRush has a tracking system to awards you credits for page views from your downline"
" .. you get credits for page views on your blog as well as on the blogs of your downline members." (this last two sound very mlm ...)

As one I had knowledge about many surprising bans from adsense for lot of people, for sure this "rush" looks for me more like traffic exchange than link exchange. Far more.
Btw, if is a link exchange, how blogrush will protect himself and eventually others to not be taken as link-farm ? lol

My 2 cents.

Thanks for the post Mark. I came here after I Googled "blogrush adsense" (your site is in #1). I think I will follow SarahG's idea, putting blogrush into my non-adsense blog first before my blog with adsense.

Cheers

@sarah - I don't think google would give you an answer, they aren't into specifics. but that is a good idea to test it out on a non adsense domain to see if it is for you.

@valentin - late is better than never ;-) "If person "X" think that expressing a doubt, a fear, a (real or not) issue, in a honest-toward-readers-way is the path to diminish one`s credibility, then I really feel sorry for people who are forced to live around that person "X"." lol

@Terry - no problem, glad you found the post useful.

@all - thanks for the feedback.

Wow this turned in directions I never thought it would. I feel Mark's original statement stands on its own ... he urges that people _read_ the terms of service and make a cautious decision. I fail to see anything wrong with that. It's obvious from many comments out there in this and other threads that the majority of the "know it alls" have never read the AdSense TOS anyway .. yet they "know" it won't be a problem. Well, clue time ... unless someone makes a definitive statement who also has a Google employee number after their name, _It_Is_All_Opinion_.

I'm not surprised to see Jeremy's assertions and foul language, he does that stuff all the time for linkbait.

As a (very) little fish in the pond it's no surprise to me to see all the "big guys" leaping on the bandwagon ... especially another pyramid scheme MLM monstrosity reminiscent of AGLOCO. The "evil" John Chow is one of the most honest bloggers around. Unlike a lot of "collectors" he detailed a couple months back how, while AGLOCO might turn out to be pure dreck, he was already making hundreds a month in traffic he didn't have to buy. Most of the bandwagon proponents of BlogRush haven't bothered to tell their readers how much more its "credit scheme" will make the big guys bigger at the expense of the small guys. (how much would you sell those pixels for if someone wanted to _buy_ the space on your front page)?

Every IM worth his/her salt will tell you the number one thing an IM must do is continually build, build, build his/her opt in list. How many do you think John Reese has added to his list in just the past 48 hours? And how many more emails will be "harvested" in the 10 level-deep "downline" scheme?

That's the real reason behind BlogRush ... all your emails belong to us. It's not "linkbait" it's "opt-in bait".

@ Dave-Starr

Man, you are making a outrageous mistake, man .. my oh my ...

Is mlm, not MLM. Is g.w. bush, not G.W. Bush, got my "point"? ;-)

Congratulations on being brave enough to say something many bloggers are thinking but are too scared to mention out loud for fear of exactly what happened in the comments section here.

I am suspicious by nature, and I smell a rat with this one. I won't be signing up for it - and bloggers who have signed up and are then trying to get me to sign up, I'm considering your motives and re-considering reading your blog. Just so you know.

I can tell when people are trying to sell me something. On this occasion I have no idea why they want to sell it to me but it seems possible to me that they might be getting something else out of it, not just traffic.

Are the bloggers promoting this really so desperate for people to come look at their blog? Many of them are being read by every man and his dog already. Yes, bloggers are putting their creditability on the line with this one - and I think you are wise to advise caution 45n5.

You certainly are correct to point out it may be against the TOS and I do not think Google will clarify it, but if it is against the TOS and all these bloggers experience a John Chow style Google Slapdown? They're going to be upset.

MLM and pyramid schemes have a bad name for a REASON. The amount of times I have seen this called a pyramid scheme - on blogs trying to promote it! That makes me want to run screaming.

Why is it suddenly a virtue to be a pyramid scheme when those are usually some kind of scam? Can someone explain that to me?

Snoskred.

@ Snoskred

Is a virtue to be :
1 - on top of pyramid - but there is no room for one like you or me coz only certain people are notified about top-places existance. closed circle of "gurus". people desperately seeking for others`s money while screaming loud "I say the true, I won`t scam you never". Same as (RIP) Corey Rudl which have ... (ok, only good about dead people .. shit, I have nothing good to say about ...)
2 - in the list of a guru. Is a honour to say "I`m in the xxxxxxx `s downline, he is best, so I can`t fail". As recently said to kumiko, only 3 types of things are able to imitate perfect something real : faxes, copiers and monkeys. But some think imitating a guru is THE WAY. And they are proud for doing that.

I don`t support the idea of reinventing the hot water.
But I back-up any attempt of self-supported-sakura (sakura = cherry blossom).

Came across this on DigitalPoint:

Here is the response from Adsense Support when asked about the use of BlogRush:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adsense Support
Thanks for checking in with us. We don't encourage or endorse the use of a program like this Thus, we're unable to give specific advice regarding BlogRush.

I appreciate your understanding regarding this matter.

For additional questions, I'd encourage you to visit the AdSense Help
Center ( http://www.google.com/adsense_help ) or the official AdSense blog ( http://adsense.blogspot.com ). Alternatively, feel free to post your question on the AdSense Help Forum (http://groups.google.com/group/adsense-help?utm_source=txft ).

Sincerely,
The Google AdSense Team

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=480439

I don't think its against adsense TOS. I agree with Darren's comments. Blogrush will rise in no time now... cheers

Eliena Andrews

It's pretty obvious to me that the top bloggers have been bought off. Wondering why BlogRush got so much buzz so quickly? Wondering why this post generated the negative reactions?

Two words: paid placement.