If you can - maybe start a blog - and put a post describing your ordeal/“learning-experience” - this way it will not only benefit you, but will also create a place where other admob-affectees can voice their comments etc.
You will get better traction with a documentation of your journey as well - even when dealing with google - just point them to your blog.
Yeh that’s a good idea. I think i’ll be done implementing new ad-networks in all my apps in a couple of days (27 apps and 4 markets, yippie), and when that’s done I’ll start a blog at my website about this experience.
Hello,
Thank you for your appeal. We appreciate the additional information you’ve provided, as well as your continued interest in the AdMob program. However, after thoroughly re-reviewing your account data and taking your feedback into consideration, our specialists have confirmed that we’re unable to reinstate your AdMob account.
As a reminder, if you have any questions or concerns about your account, the actions we’ve taken, or invalid activity in general, you can find more information by visiting http://support.google.com/admob/faq/3007399.
Sincerely,
The Google AdMob Team
Hi Nealo I just got the reply from my appeal , and it is gone forever I think
Btw I’ll find another Ad Network outhere, wish your appeal success
Sorry to hear that 
If you don’t mind could you link to your apps that you’ve made? I’m just curious. Also I’ve used mopub with mediation and leadbolt for backfill and it has worked out great thus far 
Also you sent your appeal after mine right? I still haven’t recieved anything.
+1
Clickbombing? it’s very easy with adsense (different IPs with different proxy servers, botnets, etc.), but in my opinion, clickbombing on android is very strange.
They would have cancelled admob for that app, and sent you an email “please change the position and we will recheck in 3 days, etc, etc, etc”
Your games are good, I like your Falldown collision-vibration and neon graphics…
But, honestly, I don’t like your Pou-clone, or Doors-clones. But, yes, there are millions of stupid spanish and southamerican girls playing that… lots of impressions = lots of clicks = money, good for you.
In my opinion, you should use AppBrain appwalls (when exiting the game), and Leadbolt stuff (but don’t use push ads or icons).
How easy is mopub when transitioning from admob - anything to watch out for - is integration of various networks similar - or require mediation coding (vs. dashboard entries for most).
I’ve documented my similar experiences in this thread: http://forums.makingmoneywithandroid.com/advertising-networks/727-admob-account-disabled.html.
My intention now is to switch mediation from AdMob to MoPub. When I last tried MoPub, their custom event implementation was far too simple. Basically it wasn’t possible to implement preloading for any non-supported networks. But now they seem to have switched to a new implementation based on classes not methods, so I’ll give it a go and see if things have improved.
It’s pretty simple, I never used admob mediation but I suppose they’re similar. You use their website to mediate other networks so there’s no extra coding for adding a bunch of networks. Their mediation and marketplace has worked fine for me so far.
Regarding admob appeal - I wonder if a statement by the developer that they are going to change the button placement etc. does any good ?
From the Google admob appeal FAQ link above, it seems Google wants to protect the REASONS for the denial (for fear of revealing algorithm details).
That is highly irregular for a commercial relationship between two companies - in the event of a dispute (esp. where Google is HOLDING ON to a cash hoard that the developer has earned rightly/wrongly).
The situation is crying out for a situation in court - where the court FORCES google to divulge the reason for denial. In such cases, I would guess that Google would want to eventually settle (to not be forced to reveal details in court discovery). Because a court can force Google to reveal info that it has previously hidden - as has happened in some very technical court cases involving Google.
Though Google will only be forced to reveal details relevant to that specific event - unless of course, it is a class action lawsuit in which a systematic examination of Google policy would be required, as well as imposition of conditions on Google - however such litigation would take 5 years or so and Google would probably settle right before it going to jury trial.
In any case, NOT revealing reason for cessation of business relationship is … Kafka-esque !!! A situation where you charged of a crime, but NOT TOLD what the crime is … !!
Google doodle celebrating Kafka birthday:
http://bigthink.com/the-proverbial-skeptic/what-is-kafkaesque-really
What is “Kafkaesque” Really?
The often quoted excuse for Google absolute right to protect reasons are often cited for adsense - where webmasters’ efforts to optimize SEO are thwarted by Google algorithms:
http://econsultancy.com/pk/blog/10093-why-google-needs-to-be-less-kafkaesque
Why Google needs to be less Kafkaesque
THERE you could argue that - however in the case of admob mediation - there is actually a financial link between Google and the developer. Thus Google HOLDING ON to money owed to the developer is problematic (though I have heard on forums that Google DOES pay that amount eventually after the appeals are exhausted - perhaps to evade this EXACT financial obligation). That is, pay off the developer and exit from the business relationship.
So I would guess that YOUR amount due should EVENTUALLY be paid to you by Google (?)
http://marketingland.com/google-tries-to-shed-kafka-esque-image-by-working-with-adsense-publishers-around-invalid-clicks-27832
Google Tries To Shed Kafka-esque Image By Working With AdSense Publishers Around Invalid Clicks
Dec 5, 2012 at 4:26pm ET by Pamela Parker
Bellack notes that the company has to tread a fine line between providing sufficient information, and providing so much information that bad actors could use it to circumvent Google’s security measures.
Secondly, Bellack says the appeal form — which publishers fill out when they think they’ve been unfairly accused of generating invalid activity — has been revamped to collect more useful information.
http://support.google.com/adsense/bin/static.py?hl=en&ts=2707037&page=ts.cs&sourceid=aso&subid=ww-en-et-asblog_2012-12-05&medium=link
In your case, was your account suspended or terminated (given you had apps out there for 1.5 years) ?
https://support.google.com/admob/faq/3007399
admob disable etc. FAQ
Basically they won’t tell you why you were disqualified, and they will do cross-account relationship estimation to PRESUME relationship and deny reentry into admob (are they violating any rules/privacy laws here - if they have been given a green light when collaborating with governments (aka Snowden controversy) then has that emboldened them to do so for their “house needs” as well ?) - does Google employ industrial espionage leveraging their ability to look into competitors’ gmail accounts etc. ?)
To what extent will Google go to establish “relationship” between accounts ?
My account was disabled for being related to another disabled account. Can you tell me more about this relation
Some of this stuff will eventually see a court (though by then lot of water under the bridge and Google will be using new methods to achieve the same).
Eventually Google WILL hit some antitrust snags - the way this is going …
Will I still be paid out for my earnings?
According to our AdSense Terms and Conditions, publishers disabled for invalid click activity may not receive any further payment. The earnings on your account will be properly returned to the affected advertisers. In addition, if your AdMob account was disabled, you will not receive further payment as outlined in the AdMob Terms and Conditions.
So what I stated above about Google being willing to return quarantined money owed to developer maybe what they do - but is not dictated by the policy - Google in essence enters into business relationship and becomes judge/jury/executioner - all without telling the “criminal” what they did …
This webpage examines the closeness of buttons to click areas etc.
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/1307237
AdMob publisher guidelines and policies
Shouldn’t click-fraud (by developer where they place a button close to ad) have become a thing of the past ? If banners now require a double-click - i.e. first click highlights a smaller “Download” area on the banner ad - and a subsequent click only on that area will trigger an ad.
I would think that with this innovation, there should be absolutely NO way a developer could “provoke” excess user clicking on banner ads - so why still these admob bans ?
Coming to “excessive-clicking” - I would NOT be surprised if there are outfits which do this - some “we will excessive-click your competitors’ apps” for $100 type of outfits in India or someplace. Because AS LONG as there exist outfits which work to PROMOTE apps in rankings using - excessive reviews, Google+ ratings, downloads, facebook likes etc. - and companies charging $40,000 to place an app in the top 10 etc. (whether that works or not is another question) - there is every likelihood that those same firms WOULD not be ignoring ILLEGAL means to REDUCE competitor apps in the rankings (as that achieves the same purpose as raising their app - in fact IS SAFER - since THAT app is not implicated !).
Though this is not directly applicable to admob and excessive-click - as removing someone from admob is a financial loss/nuisance for that app - and not a ranking related one.
A crucial question here - does Google opinion of developer based on their admob relationship/tussle figure in any way on the RANKING of the apps ?
Nello - have you seen any effect on your app rankings either slightly before or after this affair ?
I wonder if Admob prevents third-party mediation of admob ads ??
Could that be a culprit in Nello and David’s issue with Admob ?
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/1307237
No sub-syndication
I assume this refers to a business relationship (i.e. disqualifies working through an “agent”) - and not applicable to this discussion here.
Is it possible that Admob has some issue with - for example use of mopub to serve ads to others as well as admob ?
Just throwing it out there - may not be an issue (unless developers see a pattern there).
adforandroidapps, I’ll try to answer the questions you gave me.
My developer account is not affected
I haven’t noticed any rating changes at all, never seen a complain regarding ad placement either - rather the opposite, in many apps i hide the ads during gameplay.
I didn’t use ANY mediation, I gave all trafic to admob
There might’ve been something I missed when I read through your posts so if there’s anything else I’ll happily answer any questions.
I’ll keep you posted on any progress
Coming to “excessive-clicking” - I would NOT be surprised if there are outfits which do this - some “we will excessive-click your competitors’ apps” for $100 type of outfits in India or someplace.
I would not be surprised at all if this was the case. The only other reasons for suspension from what I’ve read is copyright infringement and I’ve made everything myself so that’s just impossible
You think it is any correlation of using admob as one of the ads - while using a third-party mediation platform ?
That is, using mopub mediation - with admob ?
You say you just used admob.
I was going to release an update for my own apps - but am now considering whether I may have placed some buttons at the bottom - which would be above the banner ad … (!)
Again - given Google has ALREADY implemented double-click provisions (banner ad - shows a highlighted Download button - smaller area within the banner ad - which needs to be clicked a second time - at least I have seen some banner ads like this) - then why the excess concern about excessive-clicking - with such safeguards, one would think that “inadvertent placement of buttons by developer” would no longer be as much of a concern - and that would leave deliberate excessive clicking as the major remaining issue then (?)
I didn’t use mopub prior to all this, I’ve only now started using mopub (the same day my admob account got disabled).
I only used admob, with their SDK for 1½ years in all my apps.
It’s possible that someone was determined to get my account disabled for whatever reason.
Hello,
Thank you for your appeal. We appreciate the additional information you’ve provided, as well as your continued interest in the AdMob program. However, after thoroughly re-reviewing your account data and taking your feedback into consideration, our specialists have confirmed that we’re unable to reinstate your AdMob account.
As a reminder, if you have any questions or concerns about your account, the actions we’ve taken, or invalid activity in general, you can find more information by visiting 31 August 2014: Legacy AdMob has been shut down - Google AdMob Help.
Sincerely,
The Google AdMob Team
So yeh, that just happened. Bye bye 24k$, now I’ll just go apeshit trying to get in contact with an actual human being that works at admob.
I just downloaded your pet app and I think I see 2 problems right away (if I were an advertiser that is…).
Your ads are right below where one needs to touch the screen to play the games, so you are getting extremely high mistake clicks and CTR maybe?
You probably had a few large advertisers complain to Google, and/or you had a very high and suspicious CTR that tripped their filters. Do you remember what your CTR was?
I fear you may have the same problem with your next ad banner company you sign up for. Moving the banner to the top of the screen may solve the issue though.
Yeh this is a possibility I suppose, I think the buttons you have to press are very large though. And with admob you have to click twice on the ad for it to actually be a click.
I had roughly 1-2% CTR if I recall correctly. If this would be an issue with any new ad-network I’d appreciate it if they informed me first so that I could fix the problem.
I’ll move the buttons a bit higher right away though and re-upload it, I reckon I might as well play it as safe as possible.
My CTR right now across all apps is ~.80% I have no idea if that’s normal or low actually. If .80% is normal, then maybe the CTR was your problem if it was close to 2%.
Yeh this might actually be the issue, I just tried the game on my very very tiny samsung galaxy Y though and I must say I’m having a hard time hitting the ads. But like you said kids probably go all willy nilly (this shouldn’t be something I lose 24k$ over though). I still would have gotten at least 10k$/month if this app hadn’t even been released, but yeh I’ll definietely keep this in mind with all my future apps.
I’ll just change the ads so they’re on top instead like you proposed, should only take a minute or so to fix. Definitely don’t want any more problems with this shit
Excellent point - I was thinking of this possibility as well for my own apps - but I reduced it’s impact because of the double-click provision by google - and the fact that this would be a standard problem across ALL kid-friendly apps. Should not bias against Neelo (though if it were so it WOULD exhibit itself in exactly the random fashion we are seeing it - i.e. some random advertiser may get pissed - i.e. zero tolerance for ads - and that ends the admob-developer relationship - mainly due to Google having zero-tolerance not just for violations - but for discussions - zero manpower to address this issue and perhaps thousands of complaints a day may mean Google is simplifying the decision process - but at cost to developer).
Only solution to this maybe to do a blackout-of-admob day by developers - on a certain day - have a significant number of developers shut down traffic to admob (Boycott Admob Day).
So Google knows that there is a man (as in human - not as in macho - sorry to the ladies) at the other end of that relationship.
Or are developers afraid that Google - being the silent/no-discussion type (as far as developers) will use some out-of-left-field techniques to penalize those developers ??
The issue is that developers send as much traffic to admob as to other ad networks - why is it that admob has this special relationship to developers - does it emanate from the all-seeing power that Google exercises ? Is Google behaving out-of-hand ? Have developers experienced the same type of “we-will-keep-your-money” behavior from an Airpush, Leadbolt or mmedia.com ?
Is so - developers need to ask themselves - “is this an abusive relationship ?” - and is the admob relationship acquiring some sort of bully status because of Google’s overall monopolistic dominance within the Android space (i.e. “Doll, if you want to work in this industry you better sleep with Google” ?)
I suspect Google is being let off for far too much - that would NEVER be tolerated from an Airpush for instance. But developers keep “quiet” about being raped by Google-related companies.