2 days ago, Google AdSense launched several wonderful new features, like AdSense Section Targeting, AdSense for Search Top Queries, AdSense Custom Report, and more AdSense Channels. But seems they are not ‘free’, since Google also updated their AdSense policies. I didn’t know about these policies changes until I came across JenSense and read her post.

Here are the new policies:

Ad Placement
The policies continue to state that No Google ad may be placed on any non-content-based pages. However, they have removed the sentence that followed that statement that previously said This includes error, login, registration, “thank you” or welcome pages.

Client Software
A site or third party cannot display our ads, search box, or search results as a result of the actions of any software application such as a toolbar. Web pages displaying our ads, search box, or search results may not be loaded by any software that can trigger pop-ups, redirect users to unwanted websites, modify browser settings, or otherwise interfere with site navigation. It is your responsibility to ensure that no ad network or affiliate uses such methods to direct traffic to pages that contain your AdSense code. Accounts involved in this type of activity may be permanently disabled.

Incentives
In addition, publishers may not bring unnatural attention to sites displaying ads through unsolicited mass emails or unwanted advertisements on third-party websites. These activities are strictly prohibited in order to avoid potential inflation of advertiser costs.

Prohibited Clicks and Impressions
Any method that artificially generates clicks or impressions is strictly prohibited. These prohibited methods include but are not limited to: repeated manual clicks or impressions, incentives to click or to generate impressions, using robots, automated click- and impression- generating clicking tools, or other deceptive software. Please note that clicking on your own ads for any reason is prohibited, to avoid potential inflation of advertiser costs.

Site Content… Site may not include
Incentives (monetary or point-based) to users or third-party beneficiaries for online activity including, but not limited to, clicking on ads or links, performing searches, surfing websites, reading emails, or completing surveys.

More explanation and comparison between the new and previous policies on JenSense.

[ Via JenSense ]