Do I need approval for each site on which I include Google AdSense?

Dave's Answer:

Theoretically, if the new sites are still within the constraints of the Terms and Conditions for Google AdSense, you're good to go. The key is to meet all of those terms of service, which are specified on the Google site.

Actually, there's a lot in the Program Policies that are worth being familiar with, including:

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Ad Placement

• Up to three ad units may be displayed on each Web site page.
• A maximum of two Google AdSense for search boxes may be placed on a page.
• A single link unit may be placed on each Web site page, in addition to the ad units and search boxes specified above. Link units are considered to be 'Google ads' for purposes of these program policies.
• A single referral button per product may be placed on a page, in addition to the ad units, search boxes, and link units specified above. Referral buttons are considered to be ‘Google ads’ for purposes of these program policies.
• No Google ad may be placed on any non-content-based pages.
• No Google ad or Google search box may be displayed on any domain parking websites, pop-ups, pop-unders, or in any email.
• No Google ad may be placed on pages published specifically for the purpose of showing ads, whether or not the page content is relevant.
• Elements on a page must not obscure any portion of the ads, and the ad colors must be such that any ad elements, including text and URL, are visible.
• Clicks on Google ads must not result in a new browser window being launched.

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Another very important section of this document, one that I get a number of questions about, is:

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Competitive Ads and Services

We do not permit Google ads or search boxes accessing Google search services to be published on web pages that also contain what could be considered competing ads or services. If you have elected to receive contextually-targeted Google ads, this would include all other contextually-targeted ads or links on the same page as Google ads. This would also include ads throughout the site that mimic Google ads or otherwise appear to be associated with Google on your site. Although you may sell ads directly on your site, it is your responsibility to ensure these ads do not mimic Google ads. If you have elected to receive Google search services, this would include other search services on the same site and non-Google query-targeted ads. We do allow affiliate or limited-text links.

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If you're interpreting this to say that you can't have other contextually-sensitive adverts on your pages, you'd be right. It doesn't mean that you can't include banners and other advertising that isn't displayed based on a dynamic analysis of the page content, however. For sites like Chitika, however, this means that you have to be careful: if you let Chitika automatically use its default ad display method, you'll be in violation if the same page includes AdSense, but if you explicitly specify a few keywords, you'll be in splendid shape. (see Google AdSense and Chitika eMiniMall).

Finally, here's the section you ask about:

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Site Content

Site may not include:

• Excessive profanity
• Violence, racial intolerance, or advocate against any individual, group, or organization
• Hacking/cracking content
• Illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Pornography, adult, or mature content
• Gambling or casino-related content
• Excessive advertising
• Any other content that promotes illegal activity or infringes on the legal rights of others
• Pop-ups, pop-unders or exit windows that interfere with site navigation, obscure Google ads, change user preferences, or are for downloads. Other types of pop-ups, pop-unders, or exit windows may be allowed, provided that they do not exceed a combined total of 5 per user session
• Excessive, repetitive, or irrelevant keywords in the content or code of web pages
• Deceptive or manipulative content or construction to improve your site's search engine ranking, e.g., your site's PageRank
• 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
• Sales or promotion of certain weapons, such as firearms, ammunition, balisongs, butterfly knives, and brass knuckles
• Sales or promotion of beer or hard alcohol
• Sales or promotion of tobacco or tobacco-related products
• Sales or promotion of prescription drugs
• Sales or promotion of products that are replicas or imitations of designer goods

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Got it? If your new site meets all these criteria, you should be perfectly safe expanding onto new sites.

Please, when you do, make sure you take advantage of Google AdSense Channels to keep track of which clicks you get from which sites!

Oh, and if you haven't yet signed up for Google AdSense and are still trying to figure it all out, don't miss my popular Get Started with Google AdSense.