At the end of that article, the CEO explained what was going on with Google AdSense and why ads weren't being displayed on Bubblews. Apparently, this is not permanent, which is, naturally, a good thing.
According to that post by the CEO, Google AdSense said that they wanted Bubblews to "make it more obvious that advertisements in the homepage grid are ads, not site content". Bubblews stressed (in that post by the CEO) that their AdSense account is "not in violation" and that the ads "will be back soon".
I don't always go to the Bubblews homepage. In fact, I'm rarely ever there, but I've noticed exactly what Google AdSense is talking about. If you scroll down the page of the Bubblews homepage, you can see some of the articles posted by the members. But, alongside that, you can also see square ads and square tags.
These tags are in boxes with an image with the word (whatever the tag is) displayed on top of it. For example, you can see +Entertainment or +Science or something. If you click on these tag boxes, you get taken to the page where some (I say some because a lot of the tags are empty and- eh, that's a story for another time) of the posts that use that tag are listed.
These square or tag boxes can look pretty similar to the square AdSense ads that are also in boxes. So, it's no wonder that Google wants the site to fix this because some might accidentally click on the ads without meaning or wanting to because they thought it was part of the site content or something.
Well, it's good to know that Bubblews is working on this since ads are important for the site to make revenue. I hope they can fix this as soon as possible since this certainly won't motivate or encourage people to write there if they know they won't be earning anything without the ads. What do you think about all this?
Here are some of the comments from this article, back when it used to be posted elsewhere:
AliCanary wrote on February 20, 2015, 10:50 AM
The earnings there are lower than the ones here, and this site is much more fair and trustworthy. I prefer it here.
FreyaYuki replied to AliCanary on February 22, 2015, 2:13 AM
Yeah, the earnings and traffic there are really low right now. At least here on Persona Paper you can actually see your bank page move. There, it's at a complete and total standstill.
GemstonePink wrote on February 20, 2015, 11:35 AM
If the change enhances the earnings, then I am all for it. I am not sure if the site will survive much longer.
FreyaYuki replied to GemstonePink on February 22, 2015, 2:19 AM
Both traffic and earnings are really slow there right now unfortunately. The bank page is barely moving so it's quiet demotivating and discouraging. Certainly not feeling inspired to post there right now specially not with the AdSense ads currently a no-show.
They say they're working on fixing the issues and complying with Google's rules, terms and policies and I hope they can get that sorted out right away because it would be doubly more difficult to earn without the ads from AdSense.
LeaPea2417 wrote on February 20, 2015, 11:48 AM
They may be trying to fix the problem, but I just feel like it is another nail in the coffin for that site.
FreyaYuki replied to LeaPea2417 on February 22, 2015, 2:22 AM
Yeah, it would be really bad if there were no ads there as traffic and earnings are low enough as it is and the bank page is barely moving. I hope that they can get this issue sorted out right away and that their AdSense account doesn't get banned or something. It's good that at least Google gave them the chance to fix things. I've heard stories of people whose accounts got banned.
scheng1 wrote on February 20, 2015, 10:16 PM
Bubblews can overcome the problem by using text ads instead of image ads for homepage.
FreyaYuki replied to scheng1 on February 22, 2015, 2:29 AM
That might work if they don't put those ads in boxes like they do with the posts and tags. The masonry grid layout they're using for the homepage makes everything blend in and look the same so it seems like the ads are part of the content of the site like the tags and posts which are all in boxes. I do hope they are able to fix this as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone there.
GayleStorm wrote on February 21, 2015, 3:30 PM
I don't have an AdSense account. That's a can of worms I've yet to open; I just don't understand it.
FreyaYuki replied to GayleStorm on February 22, 2015, 2:43 AM
I don't have one yet either. But I'm hoping to be able to get one. Google has strict rules about this though and you need lots of content.
shiela32 wrote on February 24, 2015, 2:27 AM
Google is strict in terms of Ads placement. Bubblews is too cautious about this - although I'm no longer a member over there.
FreyaYuki replied to shiela32 on February 24, 2015, 8:46 AM
Yes, I heard Google was very strict in implementing their rules when it comes to AdSense and I've heard stories of people whose accounts have gotten banned for one reason or another so people with AdSense accounts are really careful about following the rules, etc. It looks like Bubblews is still working on the ad issue. I do hope they get it sorted out soon.
cheri wrote on March 2, 2015, 7:30 AM
This a very informative one. I have no idea about how these things work.
*Notes:
- Image is by GraphBerry (CC:BY-SA) from deviantArt
- This was previously published on Persona Paper on February 20, 2015, 9:43 AM
