Sourced From searchenginewatch.com
Forget the debate over exactly what the Google Adwords (Search Engine Advertising) and Adsense programs will allow. The core issue has been why Google doesn’t simply just publish its rules? Why can’t advertisers know from the start what Google allows? The guesswork has been infuriating to some, plus it has fed into the secretive nature some accuse Google of having.
Well, finally, there’s good news. Google’s planning to greatly expand the editorial guidelines it publishes online, providing everyone — advertisers and Google users alike — with a better idea of what it accepts on the advertising front. “We’re in the editing phase of what that page will look like,” said Sheryl Sandberg, vice president of global online sales and operations for Google. “It won’t be up in the next few days, but if we’re not done within a few months, I’ll be disappointed.”
In addition to making the rules public, some of them have already changed. In particular, there’s been the controversial issue of Google’s “anti-anti” policy. This is the rule which periodically comes to light when someone gets their ad yanked because it was anti-Bush, anti-Clinton, anti-cruise ship company and so on. If you were anti-anything, it seemed you might not get to advertise at all. Hate ads remain out, but protest ads are OK.
Unfortunately, there will certainly be cases where many will agree representation is not perfect on a particular topic. There will also be cases where particular individuals, with particular stances, won’t be happy. Why aren’t we ranking first or even in the first page of results? That will be the question raised. And the Google response traditionally has been that if someone feels they must have representation, then they should buy an ad.
That response inevitably turns the ad space into more than a merchandising medium. It also remains a message delivery outlet. And when those messages are stifled, even though it’s ad space involved and despite what may be showing in the editorial results, Google remains left open to accusations of censorship.