Google Withdraws Advertising from PMAP
Pittsburgh - May 20, 2010
If you notice areas of Park Manor Academy of Psychology's (PMAP) web pages stating "The Webpage Cannot Be Found" [see to the right of this column], it is because internet giant Google, Inc. disabled PMAP's Adsense account on May 19, 2010. Adsense is a pay-per-click advertising program from Google which allows website publishers, such as PMAP, to collect a small percentage of revenues from advertisers each time someone clicks an advertisement placed on the publisher's website. Ironically, PMAP advertises its programs through Google as well.
In an email to Park Manor Academy of Psychology on May 18, 2010, Google indicated that it was disabling PMAP's Adsense account citing that Google "determined that your Adsense account poses a risk of generating invalid activity." The email and the webpage to which it referred provided little additional information. Google's website also indicated they would refuse to provide evidence for "the risk" due to privacy issues. Google also confiscated approximately $500 owed to PMAP from advertising revenue. The school indicated this was a major income loss, but it would be able to cover operating expenses temporarily.
When asked about the situation, Dr. William Kelly, Director of PMAP said, "It's an unfortunate situation, but there is nothing for us to do but move on. Google reserves the right to cancel any account at any time with little explanation. We naively never foresaw this sort of a problem." Kelly took responsibility for the income loss stating the school should have had more diversified income sources, and that "It's our fault to an extent. We asked students to visit the ads to provide support for PMAP's operating expenses. My guess is that it was this that aroused Google's suspicion and resulted in the pulling of the ads."
PMAP reported also having had difficulty with Google's advertising program approximately one month prior to its Adwords cancellation. Google sent an email warning PMAP that it could not encourage individuals to click ads to support its programs. PMAP responded by altering its website's wording so as not to publically encourage ad clicking. Google was not heard from again until the suspension of PMAP's account on the 18th for a separate issue.
When asked if PMAP would attempt to appeal and rejoin the Adsese program, Kelly indicated it was unlikely. "I don't think it wise to rely on an unpredictable source for the school's income. We're looking into other alternatives." Although the two incidents with Google occurred only a few weeks apart, Kelly indicated he perceived no malicious intent from the internet giant to harm PMAP. "I won't lie. This is a big blow to the school's finances. However, Google is a very large business. I doubt anything 'personal' about PMAP was even considered. We're just an account number to them. This was simply a business decision they made to protect their advertisors, of which we are one. So, while I'm disappointed, I understand their decision."
Google was not contacted for comment. Their website indicated that they do not reply to individual inquiries about their Adsense program. According to Google's annual report in 2008, the company was reportedly worth over 150 billion dollars. Ninety-nine percent of its income is derived from its advertising programs.
