Google AdWords Bans E-cigs

[insert_namehere]

As a supplier of e-cigs, we have been using Google adWords since we launched our business - outside of THIS forum, it's critical to our marketing strategy and it's been touch and go since we started.

Tonight we received this email from Google AdWords:
"Please note that we do not allow the promotion of electronic cigarettes
and related products regardless of whether they contain tobacco or not.

Please consider this notice as a warning. If you submit these ads again or
continue to run ads that violate our policies, we will be unable to run
any of your AdWords ads in the future, and all of your Google AdWords
accounts will be permanently suspended."

Naturally, we will challenge it, but it's the first time they've stated specifically that they don't allow e-cig ads.

Bang in some search terms in Google - there are only one or two AdWords accounts that haven't been suspended.

Geez - what does everyone have against us?

Tom Wilmot,
Vapour Warehouse

 

[Krakkan]

As a supplier of e-cigs, we have been using Google adWords since we launched our business - outside of THIS forum, it's critical to our marketing strategy and it's been touch and go since we started.

Tonight we received this email from Google AdWords:
"Please note that we do not allow the promotion of electronic cigarettes
and related products regardless of whether they contain tobacco or not.

Please consider this notice as a warning. If you submit these ads again or
continue to run ads that violate our policies, we will be unable to run
any of your AdWords ads in the future, and all of your Google AdWords
accounts will be permanently suspended."

Naturally, we will challenge it, but it's the first time they've stated specifically that they don't allow e-cig ads.

Bang in some search terms in Google - there are only one or two AdWords accounts that haven't been suspended.

Geez - what does everyone have against us?

Tom Wilmot,
Vapour Warehouse

Google been doing that for a long time actually still sucks though -- good luck hope everything works out -- I know some guy called me from leapfish seems they dont mind ads for E-cigs

 

[Vista Chris]

Give it a week then try again.

Google likes money.

Google has a short term memory when it comes to money.

Just sayin.

 

[insert_namehere]

Google been doing that for a long time actually still sucks though -- good luck hope everything works out -- I know some guy called me from leapfish seems they dont mind ads for E-cigs

Steer clear of Leapfish - they're an aggregator, not really a search engine and it will cost you $15k for placement.

I'm looking at yahoo and a couple of other things.

 

[shawnp1]

i did the leapfish thing not real great for the money honestly

 

[insert_namehere]

Give it a week then try again.

Google likes money.

Google has a short term memory when it comes to money.

Just sayin.

In the past, I'd agree with you since I successfully challenged things based on their tobacco policy - but this is a NEW policy, specifically for electronic cigarettes.

 

[eric]

Ugh, this is bad.

Why don't they ban ads for Pipes and Vaporizers?

Not to mention they still run ads for nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges and the patch.

 

[ICP-Fan]

I write web applications for a living. You don't really need AdWords, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the key. Search engines all look for keyword placement in your site. Give your images good alt names, place keywords in the correct places, etc. There are even SEO keyword search engines you can use.

Just Google "SEO", you don't have to pay for it. There are excellent tutorial sites you can utilize.

 

[Vista Chris]

In the past, I'd agree with you since I successfully challenged things based on their tobacco policy - but this is a NEW policy, specifically for electronic cigarettes.

I'm saying, don't bother challenging it. Just wait a day or two, then resumbit the exact same thing and see what happens. You'd be surprised.

I've had the same things denied then approved in the same week.

Then banned, then approved again the next day. Then banned again, rinse repeat.

It is the way of google. Just because they typed a new phrase or two into their rules doesn't mean anything is going to change.

This has to do with all industries, not just e-cigs.

 

[sattec]

Search engines all look for keyword placement in your site. Give your images good alt names, place keywords in the correct places, etc. There are even SEO keyword search engines you can use.

Just Google "SEO", you don't have to pay for it. There are excellent tutorial sites you can utilize.

this info is correct....

 

[eric]

I'm pretty sure all suppliers are aware of the necessity of SEO...

 

[smokinsimon]

Seems they're closing doors all over he place doesn't it.
I suspect it will get worst before it gets better.

 

[Raven_Blackblade]

Dont stress it guys.... trust me. Word Of Mouth is more powerful than an ad

Those whom I have bought from and received amazing Customer Service from get so many rants and raves from me... I swear... I should get paid for the endorsements hahaha!

 

[borjis]

SEO is nice and should be implemented without a second thought BUT adwords is necessary these days if you want to stay highly competitive.

I say do what the others suggest but consider other ad options like msn/bing or yahoo.

e-cigs are a step in the right direction...people are NEVER going to stop smoking.

 

[chad]

Dont stress it guys.... trust me. Word Of Mouth is more powerful than an ad

I agree. I'm all about talking up businesses that are good at what they do. Especially when the customer service is good (that's paramount)!

As a small business owner myself, I'm pretty much convinced that Google is not the be all and end all of getting your message to potential customers. I guess it's my nice way of saying "screw them." But I agree you should just run your AdWords again anyway.

 

[eric]

Guys, it's not that they're banning phrases in the ads or even the keywords. They are banning the domains. We can not link to our websites via adwords.

 

[enico]

They're banning ads, domains, and accounts if you don't follow their rules. The ecig has been against their rules for the last couple of months, they just did a mass crackdown last night on them though.

Even when you change the domain name, they allow it for a bit, but then ban the ads and domain. Basically I got a rough email from them and was told that I will be completely banned if I try to circumvent their system again and that any new accounts I create will also be banned.

Yahoo has the same rules and are stricter than Adwords for ecig related ads. Most of the major search engines and PPC companies don't allow e-cigarette type ads.

 

[Port]

I'm still advertising my Ukrainian E-Cigarette shop through AdWords.
All my ads are in Russian and I still haven't received any warnings from Google.
I've read their rules carefully once again (in Russian) - they still state, that cigarettes and tobacco products are not allowed to be advertised, but nothing about e-cigarettes.
Does anyone know, are the changes in rules regarding e-cigarettes only apply to certain countries? Or should I expect receiving a warning too?

 

[insert_namehere]

I'm still advertising my Ukrainian E-Cigarette shop through AdWords.
All my ads are in Russian and I still haven't received any warnings from Google.
I've read their rules carefully once again (in Russian) - they still state, that cigarettes and tobacco products are not allowed to be advertised, but nothing about e-cigarettes.
Does anyone know, are the changes in rules regarding e-cigarettes only apply to certain countries? Or should I expect receiving a warning too?

Well, it turns out that the person sending out the email to AdWords advertisers regarding electronic cigarettes may have been exercising personal judgment rather than the exact policy of Google in regard to content. Here's the reply I received in regards to my protest letter to Google:

"Hello Tom,
Thank you for your email. I understand that you're concerned about the disapproval of your ad which promotes electronic cigarettes. We monitor all types of cigarettes including those marketed to help you give up smoking, and those labeled as "alternative cigarettes" (e.g., without nicotine). Google believes strongly in freedom of expression and therefore offers broad access to content across the web without censoring search results. At the same time, Google may refuse any ads or terminate any of your ad campaigns at any time, for any reason, as noted in our program Terms and Conditions.

Google AdWords reserves the right to refuse to run certain ads or categories of ads on a case-by-case basis. Your ad was recently disapproved for the following Unacceptable Content: tobacco. In order for your ad to run, please remove this content from your ad text and your site. Once you've done this, an AdWords Specialist can review your ad again."

So, I removed any reference to tobacco from our site.

I guess the thing here is, we're on a slippery slope and people are going to do things that make life difficult, but keeping your cool - explaining EXACTLY what you are TRYING to do in regard to PV's and trying your best to play by the rules - even if the rules change at the drop of a hat, is the best way to go.

 

[ramblingrose]

As a supplier of e-cigs, we have been using Google adWords since we launched our business - outside of THIS forum, it's critical to our marketing strategy and it's been touch and go since we started.

Tonight we received this email from Google AdWords:
"Please note that we do not allow the promotion of electronic cigarettes
and related products regardless of whether they contain tobacco or not.

I will be curious to see what happens with this over the next few weeks. The FDA is now stating openly that e-cigs are drug/device combinations that require approval by FDA before they may be legally marketed, and implying that there are targets for enforcement action. We already know imports are targets as they come through customs. If the problem continues, I would have to wonder if perhaps the FDA is requiring Google to set the adword ban.

I also agree with ICP-fan. SEO rules! I worked hard on optimizing when my site went up in 2000. Then watched it move to #1 and stay as #1 of what is now 720,000 results ever since. It's well worth the time and effort.