Can Bloggers Disclose Adsense Earnings?
May 9th, 2007 by CourtSince the time I posted my April earnings, I have had several people express concern that disclosing my Adsense income was against the Adsense terms of service. I wanted to make sure that I was in compliance, so I did a little investigative reporting, which is a fancy way of saying that I read a bunch of really boring documents. 
I found a paragraph in the Google AdSenseTM Online Standard Terms and Conditions that shows that I’m ok. (If you want to see for yourself follow the link):
Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google’s prior written consent. “Google Confidential Information” includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Site performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as “Confidential” or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program. Google Confidential Information does not include information that has become publicly known through no breach by You or Google, or information that has been (i) independently developed without access to Google Confidential Information, as evidenced in writing; (ii) rightfully received by You from a third party; or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or by a governmental authority.
I made the sentence bold that shows that you can disclose the amount that you make from Adsense.
What You Can’t Disclose
- Adsense Click-Through Rates Of Your Site(s)
- Amount of Clicks on Adsense Ads
- Average Commission Per Click
- Earnings Per Thousand Impressions (eCPM)
- An Inaccurate Representation of Gross Earnings
Since I’m not disclosing any of that information it appears that I am in compliance. I am only disclosing the gross amount which is ok.
I do sincerely thank Tricia for raising an honest, helpful concern. Thanks Tricia!
For more information visit my friend Jennifer’s site on Making Money Work Online!
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May 9th, 2007 at 8:19 am
good to know.
in response to your comment over at my blog regarding a Digg:
– you can actually sort of make a “club” by making “friends†within the digg community. I’ve started to do that. I’m just waiting for all my friends to “make friends†with me back. I think I “friended†you there. You can check.
May 9th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Glad you did the research to find out that you’re allowed to share your earnings. That has always been cool. Google doesn’t take lightly people who discluse other info like their ad stats.
The rich monster google keeps getting richer off of all of us and we’ll never know how much they make off of every click. I think they are better at keeping secrets then the spy agencies here.
May 9th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
I’m hating google adsense right now. ever since they contacted me “warning me” that my blog (networkb4umarket.blogspot.com) is getting invalid clicks. I’m not sure how it’s happening, it’s probably because I’m in a traffic exchange program (and isn’t everyone!) so I think it’s ridicilous really, they’re policies are stupid.
May 9th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Yeah, it’s not against AdSense TOS to disclose ur earning. Heck, all those so-called AdSense Gurus would have been banned if this is against the rule.
May 11th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
yea, its fine to disclose the earnings…but i am concerned about the clicks like Dee said. I am seeing clicks on mybloglog, but not in real time…i notice it easy sine not many visitors on my site….has anything of this happened to anyone else?
May 11th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Really useful blog you have. I put it my favorite blogs already. I disclose some earnings on my site, and am happy that it is not against Google TOS (well, I was pretty sure about that!).
BTW, you have great income for so young a blog.
Thumbs up!
May 14th, 2007 at 5:51 am
It never ceases to amaze me that we all go out and start a blog then we put adsense or some other form of advertising on the site hoping to make a few bucks but when we visit other sites we flatly refuse to press an advertisement. Why is that? Are bloggers the new age ad blind? When this thinking passes then you will see an online income from blogging.
May 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Adsense is a greatway to increase your income, if have a sucessfull web site. I do not see anything wrong with disclosing your income.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
[...] Can Bloggers Disclose Adsense Earnings? (8) [...]
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