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!
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Date/Time: 4-1-2008 02:52:34 Comment #13049
Oh gosh – bad news for you, Garry. I hope you find good alternatives soon and get some sympublicity through this situation
Date/Time: 6-13-2008 18:40:51 Comment #15543
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 02:56:46 Comment #13050
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!!!!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:01:26 Comment #13052
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
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:03:00 Comment #13053
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:07:08 Comment #13054
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. 
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:07:14 Comment #13055
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!!!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:22:39 Comment #13056
April fools! If you really got banned I knows you would be much more agitated than this!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:24:16 Comment #13057
My wife has me heavily medicated.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 03:41:58 Comment #13058
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
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 04:35:23 Comment #13059
Dude — the Adsense people are here at my house and they are looking for you. They are mean, and they have guns. LOL
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 05:08:43 Comment #13060
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 06:23:46 Comment #13061
LOL well-crafted, my friend! And I thought I put a lot of effort into my April Fool’s joke.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 06:45:23 Comment #13062
I wish this is 1st April joke for you…
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 07:39:58 Comment #13063
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 08:42:09 Comment #13064
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 09:04:21 Comment #13066
gary,gary quite contrary how does your money grow .. (^.^)
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 09:26:48 Comment #13067
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
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 09:30:13 Comment #13068
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
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 09:38:18 Comment #13069
Garry,
There are some guys here in black suits and wearing dark glasses. Said something about contacting you or else……
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 10:05:30 Comment #13070
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 10:07:00 Comment #13071
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!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 11:21:06 Comment #13073
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 11:21:14 Comment #13074
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!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 11:47:03 Comment #13075
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!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 12:47:27 Comment #13076
Sorry man… I am a Cubs fan.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 14:02:02 Comment #13078
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 14:02:05 Comment #13079
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 14:04:24 Comment #13080
One more thing getting banned from adsense is quite a fun at least for …………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Guess!!!!!!
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 18:36:10 Comment #13088
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.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 19:52:22 Comment #13092
@Blogzilla,
I’m sure Garry is getting all the help he needs and deserves…
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 19:56:14 Comment #13093
The April Fools Fairy is providing much assistance needed.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 21:54:17 Comment #13097
Good joke, I almost believed it.
Date/Time: 4-1-2008 22:38:24 Comment #13103
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
Date/Time: 4-2-2008 05:26:54 Comment #13133
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.
Date/Time: 4-2-2008 07:46:19 Comment #13139
LOL I love april fools day so much!
Date/Time: 4-2-2008 13:46:02 Comment #13163
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.
Date/Time: 4-2-2008 21:38:30 Comment #13172
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
Date/Time: 4-3-2008 07:10:17 Comment #13179
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.
Date/Time: 4-3-2008 09:18:03 Comment #13184
LOL I thought its true since I follow the link from recent post
Date/Time: 4-3-2008 09:58:39 Comment #13187
“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
Date/Time: 4-4-2008 04:20:24 Comment #13206
Got fooled, really.
Date/Time: 4-6-2008 22:26:53 Comment #13257
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
Date/Time: 4-8-2008 23:46:44 Comment #13326
there are better ways to generate revenue anyways
good joke tho
Date/Time: 5-15-2008 00:07:13 Comment #14236
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.