Google Adsense Websearch

thebassman · 07-11-2004, 10:45 AM

A couple days ago I added this feature to my photography forum after a lot of tinkering. I remember some people were having problems getting into the right spot to look good. I finally got it where I want it on my page... I ended up putting it in the viewtopic file, so it shows up at the bottom of every thread (I'm using phpbb, btw). You can take a look here. I haven't made much $ off of it, but the members seem to like it there, and it's not obtrusive at all. Just thought I'd share with you... any comments on its' placement, or feedback on your usage of it would be welcome.

kiwidesigner · 07-11-2004, 08:55 PM

Looks great! How did you get the background to match. I've got it on my site but couldn't find how to change the background color from white?

Karen

thebassman · 07-11-2004, 09:01 PM

I just changed it in the code before I pasted it into my site...

There's no option to do it in the google interface... I used to white background logo, so it would meld well.

kiwidesigner · 07-11-2004, 09:13 PM

Oh I thought you weren't allowed to change the code as it for some reason it wouldn't work if people tried to use it. But if it works for you and you're still getting $'s then it must be ok. It's been driving me crazy being 'white' as it looks so gross

I love the way your site looks - it's great.

Karen

dave conz · 07-11-2004, 09:27 PM

I believe you're allowed to customise the form code as much as you like. At least I hope so because I did a total job on our Te Awamutu site, incorporating the Google search into a Flash movie. It has nothing in common with the original code suggested by Google except the hidden field values.

al2six · 07-11-2004, 10:14 PM

does anyone know if you're allowed to remove the google logo?

awall19 · 07-11-2004, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al2six

does anyone know if you're allowed to remove the google logo?

I am going to bet you can't

dave conz · 07-12-2004, 01:00 AM

Actually I think I've screwed this up. According to the Google FAQ:

Quote:

You can paste the default code into your source to start providing search instantly to your users, or spend some time customizing the WebSearch box before pasting your code.

I took this as meaning I could customise the code myself, so I did.

However I see in the program policy:

Quote:

Any AdSense ad or search box code must be pasted into Web pages without modification.

This is a complete bugger for me since my home page search form is inside a Flash movie. The code will only work if I modify it. This means I'll have to remove the Google search option altogether. Dammit.

kiwidesigner · 07-12-2004, 01:48 AM

Yes it was the modification rules that got me - thats how I couldn't understand how anyone got it customized without doing that. Seems crazy that it can't be modified it to suit our pages. Guess I'll have to leave it as it is for the time being. I'll email them about it and see what they say.

Karen

thebassman · 07-12-2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwidesigner

I love the way your site looks - it's great.

Thanks... let me know when you hear back from Google... if we can't make that minor change, I might take it off... none of the colors would go with my site at all... I don't see what what I did would bother them at all, though...

kiwidesigner · 07-13-2004, 06:50 PM

Hi guys - just heard back from Google about the customization. Here's their answer:

Quote:

To help integrate the WebSearch box into your site, you may make the
following customizations to your WebSearch code on the Search Settings tab
of your AdSense account:

-Use a solid black, grey, or white background for the WebSearch box
-Change the length of the text box
-Place the Google logo above the text below and/or the search button below
the text box

The WebSearch code should not be modified in any way not described above.
We appreciate your cooperation.

Really odd how it's only those colors we're allowed to use.

Karen

thebassman · 07-13-2004, 07:15 PM

Hmmm... I think I'll leave it until they say something, or is that a bad idea?

kiwidesigner · 07-13-2004, 07:22 PM

I'd just leave it because the way you have it, the only thing you've changed is the background color. I don't know why they've only given me a few colors that seems acceptable to them - besides "grey" has shades of blue in it :wink: and your's if blue.

Karen

thebassman · 07-13-2004, 07:23 PM

Cool... We'll see what happens.