This post was most recently updated on September 14th, 2021
Is it acceptable to refresh Google ads? Yes – BUT only when it is user-initiated!
Google makes it clear that auto-refreshing Google ads in the following ways are not permitted:
- Refresh non-google ad to a Google ad
- Refresh Google ad to a non-Google ad
However, if the case is user-initiated, it is safe to:
- Refresh a non-Google ad to a Google ad
And depending on your chosen ad network, it is generally fine to auto-refresh a non-Google ad to another non-Google ad.
Bottom-line:
Unless user-specified, publishers are not allowed to auto-refresh to and from Google ads, in a single URL.
We’ve seen some publishers do this to inflate page views, but as we always say – the sneaky tricks won’t do any good in the long term. Google might disable your ads at any time. Additionally, it pays to keep maintain a good user experience on your site.
What’s in it for Publishers?
This does not mean you cannot reload ads on a given page. As long as you’re compliant with Google’s rules, you can make use of DFP in reloading ads (without refreshing the whole page) based on a timer.
Here’s how: https://support.google.com/dfp_sb/answer/3058726?hl=en
As a note: The refresh functionality only works in asynchronous mode. Calling refresh() creates a new correlator ID for the requested ad.
We help publishers stay Google-compliant by informing our publishers of the latest Google policy updates. Stay tuned for more news on Adsense policy. Sign up for a Professional account at MonetizeMore today!
Related Reads:
- Top AdSense Ad Violations
- Guidelines in Displaying Google ads with Third-party Ads
- Top Ad Implementation Mistakes for Image-rich Sites
- How to Know if You Might Have Copyright Issues
- Adsense Tips: How to Make your Site More User-Friendly
Kean Graham is the CEO and founder of MonetizeMore & a pioneer in the Adtech Industry. He is the resident expert in Ad Optimization, covering areas like Adsense Optimization,GAM Management, and third-party ad network partnerships. Kean believes in the supremacy of direct publisher deals and holistic optimization as keys to effective and consistent ad revenue increases.