I Got Banned From Google Adsense!
Well, this honestly threw me off track a little bit. Apparently I have been banned indefinitely from Google Adsense. This post came somewhat late as I have been out most of the day. My son had two back to back baseball games and my daughter had a real late evening softball practice.
I am honestly floored! I got an email from the Google Adsense team that basically said my account has been completely suspended. To make matters even worse, they are holding my entire unpaid payment for the month pending an investigation. The email stated that this investigation will take a minimum of 120 days!!!
You know, at first I thought this was a freaking joke, maybe someone sent me a bogus email. Perhaps, a friend was playing a prank on me. But no, unfortunately not! Viewing the source of the email showed me it came straight from the Google Adsense team.
I didn’t realize this, but apparently people were calling me all day regarding this. From what it seems, Google has been investigating my account prior to sending me the notification email. In part of their investigation they have contacted many people who either associate with me and or work with me publishing content on the Internet.
I received four phone calls yesterday afternoon, about six hours prior to receiving the email from Google.
Here is a voicemail from Mark Mason from www.MasonWorld.com
Here is a voicemail from Joel Comm from www.JoelComm.com
Here is a voicemail from Christine Senter from www.BlogClassifieds.net
Here is a voicemail from Althaf Ahmed from www.althafahmed.com
I guess I am screwed! I had made $13,785 dollars this month and Google is holding that money pending an investigation. For what, I have no idea.
Here is a copy of the email that Google sent me: (click to view full size)
This is really just terrible news. I only wish that this was an April Fools joke. Does anyone have any advice? Normally I am the one giving advice and helping people, but I have absolutely no idea what to do here?
Anyway, I don’t know if it was a good idea or not, but I called the Google Adsense Team and gave them a BIG piece of my mind. Ironically, I streamed the phone call through Grand Central (Google owns them now) so that I could purposely record the conversation and post it here for my readers to listen to. What gets said in this phone conversation will shock you. Have a listen:
Here are some other eventual news happening today in the blogosphere on this wonderful April 1st, 2008:
Chris Pirillo Gets In Fight With Wife and Quits His Job
Joel Comm is a hero for finding a solution that completely eliminates email spam!
Should You Use Google AdSense Right Away On A New Site?
For me when I launch niche blogs and sites with the aim of making money using Google AdSense, I don’t waste much time and go ahead and place Google AdSense ads on the site. There is some debate going on concerning whether publishers should not add AdSense right away...How Much Money Is Google Adsense Making You?
I have quite a few sites online and most of them have Google Adsense ads along with a few other programs on the pages. I wanted to open up this post here and invite you to share your experiences with Google Adsense. How long have you been using Google...Does Google Adsense Still Work?
Is is worth signing up for Google Adsense? Did I miss the window of opportunity to make some good money Online using Google Adsensee. Are people still getting rich using Google Adsense. Does Google Adsense still work? Is is worth the time and effort to signup, create the Adsense...Google Releases AdSense Park Page For Domains
Today Google went completely live with AdSense For Domains and is available for all publishers who wish to sign up for the service. AdSense For Domains is interesting because it allows domain name owners the ability to monetize their parked domain names with Google AdSense ads rather than just do...How To Increase Google AdSense CTR
I received an email from a reader who wanted my advise on increasing his Google AdSense CTR. Here is a copy of his email and below I will provide some tips based off that: Hi Garry, Since you are an expert with adsense (I consider you an expert anyway ....
Oh gosh – bad news for you, Garry. I hope you find good alternatives soon and get some sympublicity through this situation
Sam
1 Apr 08 at 2:52 am
I hear that Yahoo Publisher is looking pretty spiffy now. I hear that Apple iPod ads will show up if you blog about peanut butter and jelly. So there is some margin of improvement.
LOL!!!!
Garry Conn
1 Apr 08 at 2:56 am
This is why I said that your google adsense is too good to be true Garry, remember the last time I told you on my comment?
Even Shoemoney, I forget the link, but I remember he once publish his stat, and the CTR is around 1-2% (please correct me if i’m wrong)
Sad to here this from you Garry, but blog must go on, you have many other apples on the basket right?
oh and btw, “If you enjoyed, I Got Banned From Google Adsense!, then you’ll enjoy receiving my free emails too!” lol
No no.. I subscribe to your feed, but I am not that evil Garry, trust me
*sorry, i know it should be some sad story here, but your post footer caught my attention
Jacky Supit
1 Apr 08 at 3:01 am
It started to seem a little fishy after hearing just a couple of those voicemails, they all seemed to be a little too similar, almost like they had a list of things that they were supposed to mention to you in the voicemail, only the list was exactly the same for each person. I figure if something like this really did happen they would mention things a little differently.
Unfortunately for me, I actually was banned from Google Adsense, they said I violated their TOS but to be honest with you I still don’t really know what caused it.
Lucky for me I was able to get into Yahoo Publisher Network and have been doing pretty decent with them.
Michael
1 Apr 08 at 3:03 am
Garryyyyyy. You almost had me. luckily I followed you to the end.
I had already posted on my blogs for the day. Sorry I couldn’t put the link up. I’ll try to get it in tommorow. Nice income on the Google adsense for the month. When and If I ever grow up I want to be just like you. 
mark
1 Apr 08 at 3:07 am
The best part of this whole bit will be to see who completely and utterly falls for this compared to the ones that get just fall for it for a second and then drop a comment and say, “Good One Garry! You had me for a sec.”
LOL!!!
Garry Conn
1 Apr 08 at 3:07 am
April fools! If you really got banned I knows you would be much more agitated than this!
Matt Jones
1 Apr 08 at 3:22 am
My wife has me heavily medicated.
Garry Conn
1 Apr 08 at 3:24 am
so this is really april fool? after you said “I only wish that this was an April Fools joke.” ? well, you surely got me man
Jacky Supit
1 Apr 08 at 3:41 am
Dude — the Adsense people are here at my house and they are looking for you. They are mean, and they have guns. LOL
Mark Mason
1 Apr 08 at 4:35 am
I must admit that I was feeling really bad for you. Luckily, I read the entire post. April 1 just slips up on me every year.
Fred Peters
1 Apr 08 at 5:08 am
LOL well-crafted, my friend! And I thought I put a lot of effort into my April Fool’s joke.
Mark
1 Apr 08 at 6:23 am
I wish this is 1st April joke for you…
Technologymadness.com
1 Apr 08 at 6:45 am
What a shock!
Then I realized what day it is. Guess for a least a few seconds
I’ was just another April fool.
Stay clean, do no evil, to avoid letters like that from the mighty Google.
Gerald David Greene
1 Apr 08 at 7:39 am
Garry… you know man, I was reading this post through bloglines and I’m at work so I was already in a bad mood, so reading the first two paragraphs got me all ticked off and I was thinking of what I was gonna say on my comment….
You’re no good!
Very well crafted though, a good start to a day of mischief that’s only getting started.
You kill me dude.
Charlie
1 Apr 08 at 8:42 am
[...] — Thanks to Garry Conn for pointing this out to me. He was busy working on his own April Fool’s Prank at the time, so I wrote it [...]
Mark Mason
1 Apr 08 at 9:03 am
gary,gary quite contrary how does your money grow .. (^.^)
paula
1 Apr 08 at 9:04 am
its funny how a bunch of people that commented didn’t even listen to the final message to know that it was just a joke
haha smart
Ryan
1 Apr 08 at 9:26 am
Garry, that was a good try but the voice mails were too similar to be original man.
But yes, it was interesting, I had to check out the last recording anyways even though I knew something was fishy.
Cheers!
Mani Karthik
Mani Karthik
1 Apr 08 at 9:30 am
Garry,
There are some guys here in black suits and wearing dark glasses. Said something about contacting you or else……
Christine Senter
1 Apr 08 at 9:38 am
That is a very good one Garry! You almost had me fooled, I wasn’t quite sure whether it was true or not. You probably would’ve had me completely fooled except I kind of assumed from the beginning that it was an April fools joke.
Trent Brownrigg
1 Apr 08 at 10:05 am
Hi Garry,
I am glad that I came to visit today as this is going to be my last day online for quite some time.
I have posted a Goodbye message and hope you get a chance to swing by and send me a goodwill message.
Oh I also heard a rumor that people working at Google HQ were being forced to catch their own lunch using a 1974 edition of the “Good Little Scouts, Guide to Surviving the Wilderness” and it’s been driving them nuts. Apparently last thursday, while the team were on morning recess a fight broke out over who was going to get the head of the squirrel that a group of them had caught. The head ended up in the hands of a young lady who heads human resources and now she is displaying a fine necklace made of 7 squirrel heads.
It’s madness down there, no wonder they banned you!
Forest Parks
1 Apr 08 at 10:07 am
I called a friend I know at Google and he took a look at your account.
He told me the problem came from your “Sex Tourism” sites.
He assured me that once you take down the Adsense on those sites he can reinstate your account.
Aaron at FullTiltBlogging.com
1 Apr 08 at 11:21 am
Well done man, you sure put plenty of effort into this post and sending out the email to your subscriber list was a nice touch which is what I first saw on checking my mail after getting home from work!
Zath
1 Apr 08 at 11:21 am
No it wasn’t the “sex tourism” sites that got you in trouble. according to my friend at Google it was the fact that you are not a “Ny Yankee” fan. Should you change your favorite baseball team to the Yankees I’m sure I could talk my friend into putting a good word in for you. I’m justa saying!
mark
1 Apr 08 at 11:47 am
Sorry man… I am a Cubs fan.
Garry Conn
1 Apr 08 at 12:47 pm
Matt is correct, if you had been banned from AdSense you would have been more, way more agitated. I’m still thinking it’s a April’s fool prank, but if not I’m really sorry for you mate.
CristianR
1 Apr 08 at 2:02 pm
Hey I got a call from my boss.He was asking about you and your activities.He told it look suspicious.I just told him to ban you from Google search but I think he took pity on you and hit the wrong button.
Hey I am a Google guy.Now that I am here personally what are you going to do.
Do not believe me.Go and Google search my name and you will never find me, even the 10000 page do not list me.
Agent 001
1 Apr 08 at 2:02 pm
One more thing getting banned from adsense is quite a fun at least for …………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Guess!!!!!!
Agent 001
1 Apr 08 at 2:04 pm
Gary,
First thing I would do is make a call and get clarity. 120 days? What is this a divorce process? Be respectful as I know you will and really show concern. That’s a lot of money to give up with out a fight. You can also call on bloggers willing to post about this situation, I know I would.
Sorry bro and I don’t even know you, but I do care cause you seem to put a lot of effort into your passion.
blogzilla
1 Apr 08 at 6:36 pm
@Blogzilla,
I’m sure Garry is getting all the help he needs and deserves…
Aaron at FullTiltBlogging.com
1 Apr 08 at 7:52 pm
The April Fools Fairy is providing much assistance needed.
Garry Conn
1 Apr 08 at 7:56 pm
[...] Soap That Washes Away Fat? Google – Virgle: The Adventure of Many Lifetimes Garry Conn dot com – I Got Banned From Google Adsense! Chris Pirillo – Chris Pirillo Gets In Fight With Wife and Quits His Job Google – Gmail Custom Time [...]
Mark Sierra
1 Apr 08 at 9:08 pm
Good joke, I almost believed it.
CashJuke
1 Apr 08 at 9:54 pm
Don’t make me report you to Google just because LOL!
I’m not gonna lie, I almost fell for it… bastard… lol
Jay
DatMoney.com
Jay
1 Apr 08 at 10:38 pm
[...] Search Engine Land – Microsoft’s $1 Million Guarantee Program To Win Searchers Garry Conn- I Got Banned From Google Adsense! Blogging Fingers – Blogging Fingers Finally Breaks the 23k RSS Subscriber Barrier MeAndMyDrum – [...]
Super Blogging Tips
2 Apr 08 at 3:08 am
I still don’t believe that your account is baned.You are making april fool all your readers,if i am not wrong.Your articles are such helping to me that you can’t know.Still if you are realy banned,i feel very sorry for that.
prasanna
2 Apr 08 at 5:26 am
LOL I love april fools day so much!
Matt Jones
2 Apr 08 at 7:46 am
wow and lol – this sounds like a script for a Man in Black, for sure you have made me laugh regardless banned or not, I am picturing ad- sense people like from the Kafka’s novel, they are coming without apparent reason, and nobody knows why and they are sending you to trial.
Jasko
2 Apr 08 at 1:46 pm
This was believable ONLY because I didn’t see any Adsense ads on your site. (as if they were banned and removed)
Happy late 4/01
unTECHy
2 Apr 08 at 9:38 pm
Great April Fool’s Day Post Gary, you really had me going especially because I did not see any adsense on the site, thankfully I read the entire post and got it. I found your blog through Caroline Middlebrook’s site and just wanted to say what a great Blog you have here. You and Caroline have earned another RSS Subscriber, I am looking forward to reading more from the both of you.
Make Money Online
3 Apr 08 at 7:10 am
LOL I thought its true since I follow the link from recent post
Andika Kusuma
3 Apr 08 at 9:18 am
“I didn’t see any Adsense ads on your site”
That is funny how most people (including myself) see the Adsense ads, but don’t see the Adsense ads. You know, ad blindness…. lol
Garry Conn
3 Apr 08 at 9:58 am
Got fooled, really.
Soham
4 Apr 08 at 4:20 am
Man, I was feeling so bad for you…then I was feeling bad for me for linking to you from Blogrepreneur
I was sure this was for real since your new theme doesn’t have adsense anywhere. I’m glad it was just a joke!
Have a good night.
Brent Crouch
Brent Crouch
6 Apr 08 at 10:26 pm
there are better ways to generate revenue anyways
good joke tho
The Off Topic
8 Apr 08 at 11:46 pm
I realize I’m late on this, but I just came across your page tonight. I wanted to point out that the email screenshot you posted looked fake as soon as I started reading it. The spelling and punctuation mistakes gave it away. Also, the ‘failure to comply can result in legal action’ bit sounded too much like those PayPal phishing emails everyone gets every once in a while.
It was a nice effort, though.
Rob
15 May 08 at 12:07 am
I agree! Have you tried WidgetBucks? I’ve been earning almost twice as much with WidgetBucks compared to AdSense. Plus, the ads are optimized for WordPress, Blogger, and even TypePad. Check out this WidgetBucks review for some more info.
Seth
13 Jun 08 at 6:40 pm
All-Please know that just because you were banned from Adsense and Adwords, you do not need to look for alternatives. You can restore your own accounts.
unbannedbygoogle
27 Oct 09 at 8:26 am