Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help
  • How does Google AdSense know what’s on pages behind a login?

How does Google AdSense know what’s on pages behind a login?

September 27, 2008 / Dave Taylor / AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help / 5 Comments

I am just launching a new discussion forum that’ll be only for people with valid account credentials (login, password, ya know) and I want to put Google AdSense ads on it. I have heard that’s not possible, but I read that it is okay with Google now. But how do they know what’s on those pages if the AdSense targeting engine doesn’t have login credentials?

You are correct that until rather recently, Google very clearly said that it wasn’t okay to have AdSense ads on pages that were protected by passwords or limited in accessibility. In addition to violating the rules, the other reason should be obvious: if AdSense can’t scan the page to identify content, it can’t possibly match that content and the ads it places will be irrelevant and ignored.
Digging around in the Google AdSense system, however you can find exactly where it lets you sign up for AdSense for protected pages, and explains how it works.
The URL in question is https://www.google.com/adsense/list-auth, or you can navigate there (once you’ve logged in to your AdSense account), by going to:

google adsense setup site authentication

Got it? Now, read what’s on that page, and you’ll learn:
“Use this section to allow the AdSense crawler to access pages that are behind a login. Our crawler will access these pages only to determine content for ad targeting purposes and will fully comply with Google’s privacy policy.”
So, you’re right. There is no way to have AdSense on private, protected or limited access pages without letting Google AdSense’s engine scan and archive the main keywords of the page or pages in question.
At this point, Google recommends you take three steps to get things set up properly:
1. Enter an authentication rule: Specify an authentication URL and a set of parameters that will allow Google’s web crawlers to access your content.
2. Verify your site ownership using Google Webmaster Tools: We will direct you to Google Webmaster Tools, where you can verify that you own the site by uploading a file to it or changing the META tag of a file.
3. View your improved ad targeting: When your authentication rule is verified, you should see better ad targeting on your pages. You can check the status of your authentication rules at any time.
Hope that gets you going!

About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the early days of the Internet. Author of over 20 technical books, he runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech help site. You can also find his gadget reviews on YouTube and chat with him on Twitter as @DaveTaylor.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

5 comments on “How does Google AdSense know what’s on pages behind a login?”

  1. Deborah Sullivan says:
    October 18, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    Thank you for your valuable advice …
    I pray I reach full understanding of AdSense …
    ~Special Blessings of Love2U …

    Reply
  2. Stephanie Wu says:
    September 3, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I have a question about how to authentication rule is verified in google. Can you help me? Thanks.
    Regards,
    Stephanie

    Reply
  3. karl greg says:
    October 31, 2008 at 10:27 am

    just tested ad sense on our site, which is accessible via login. I am using DART to display the ads in a sky ad unit.
    The problem is that Google is displaying the same type of ads on my Web page. Although the advertisers vary, the ad theme does not match the content on the page. Do you know if google crawls content in realtime, on logged in pages?
    thks

    Reply
  4. Karen Cornwall says:
    October 13, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    when I copy and paste the google verification meta tag on my site I still can’t verify it. You once posted an answer to this question, you gave a google verificatin meta tag that worked. I used it and it worked, so google could verify that I am the owner of the site. I need it again.

    Reply
  5. matt says:
    September 28, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    is it true that google track and record somewhere all my gmail emails?
    good article
    cheers
    matt

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • Guide to Adding Fingerprint Login to a Windows PC
  • How Can I Use Generative AI to Write Better Email in Gmail?
  • How Can I Hide Recent Apps and Docs on my Mac System?
  • Guide to Pairing Bluetooth Headphones with a Chromebook
  • How to Use Twitter Reply-to-DM Features and New Reaction Emoji

On Our YouTube Channel

Eufy Security 5-in-1 Smartlock Deadbolt -- INSTALL, DEMO & REVIEW

BlendJet 2 Portable Blender & Orbiter Drinking Lid -- DEMO & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help (166)
  • Android Help (234)
  • Apple iPad Help (150)
  • Apple Watch Help (53)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (346)
  • Auto Tech Help (19)
  • Business Advice (200)
  • ChromeOS Help (38)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (789)
  • d) None of the Above (166)
  • Facebook Help (384)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (191)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (248)
  • Instagram Help (49)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (630)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (100)
  • LinkedIn Help (90)
  • Linux Help (178)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (90)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (919)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (35)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (54)
  • Reddit Help (20)
  • SEO & Marketing (82)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (98)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (224)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (963)
  • Wordpress Help (206)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (47)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (64)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2023 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy