It looks like Google is getting ready to crack down on adult content on Blogger – or at least those who profit from promoting adult content on Blogger.
Blogger users who have identified their blogs as containing “adult” content just received an email warning them that Google is about to start removing blogs that “are adult in nature and are displaying advertisements to adult websites.” Google says that this action will come behind an update to their content policy on June 30th.
But really, Blogger’s content policy has always banned most ads and links to adult websites.
“Do not use Blogger as a way to make money on adult content. For example, don’t create blogs where a significant percentage of the content is ads or links to commercial porn sites,” says the Blogger policy.
I guess Google is simply going to make this clause a bit more strict, taking out that “significant percentage” part and replacing it with an outright ban on ads and links to outside porn.
As far as for “adult” content in general, it has always been ok, just as long as blog admins properly label their content – and don’t promote any sort of child pornography, incest, or bestiality.
But this email that Google sent to Blogger admins is a bit ambiguous. Check it out:
Is Google saying that they are planning to remove all blogs that both contain adult content and ads to adult content? Or, are they saying that they plan on removing blogs that contain adult content as well as remove blogs that contain ads to adult content? These two things are quite different.
Plus, let’s be real – the term “adult.” without any other descriptions, is vague – at best. Exactly what kind of crackdown is Google planning here?
I’ve reached out to Google for clarification and will update this article accordingly.
UPDATE: According to a Google spokesperson, it looks like they’re just going to be removing blogs that monetize from adult ads:
“We will be updating our Content Policy to strictly prohibit the monetization of adult content on Blogger. We will remove blogs that are displaying advertisements to adult websites.”
[Violet Blue via The Next Web]