Cochinoman tech, sushi, poker
Cochinoman.com uses Google’s AdSense to serve up banner ads for this website. Recently, I got a nice little email from Google Adsense (click to see larger version):
Basically, Google’s automated, and probably self-aware system, has decided that my article about “Bukkake Noodles” is “adult”, or to put it more bluntly, pornographic. Forget the fact that basically that article is a joke, but the fact that it’s flagged as “adult” worries me on several levels.
First, by simply using the word, it flags it because it must be on their “adult” words list. It makes no attempt to figure out that it’s not referring to anything adult. The second thing that’s scary is the Adsense FAQ says that they rarely if ever change their position once it’s made. Of course, since it’s advertisement membership, there is no First Amendment issue. They can kick off anybody they want to. Just like a restaurant can refuse service to anybody.
In any case, I filled out and submitted my “Policy Violation Appeal” and crossed my fingers.
After a few days, I got back this email below. It starts off with “Thank you for making the requested changes to your site in order to comply with our policies.” WTF? I didn’t change one word. Obviously, this is a computerized form letter. I’m not even sure they even looked at the site. Also notice that you cannot reply to the email.
Is it me or does it just seem so cold and impersonal? Google is supposed to be a great place to work but it’s certainly not a great place to try to communicate with. I receive replies from every company I deal with, big and small, all written by a human being. Google is the only one that sounds and acts like a robot. No wonder they are working on the robotic self driving car. I guess the future is here. I’m just not ready for it yet.
