Why we should not click on random Adsense ads

Would clicking on Google Adsense ads be the ultimate "Hub karma?" Hubber Downtroddenindc asked the question and I decided to answer it through this Hub.

The answer is "no" since click fraud would occur and this would violate Google's Terms of Service. Easy answer.

This isn't the same as clicking on people's articles for page views. Google Adsense is quite particular about click fraud and that would certainly get many Hubbers banned. For me, the deeper answer is Hubbers who write quality informational Hubs to teach, inform, or assist readers who are shopping for a product are not writing for other Hubbers. They're writing to attract as wide an audience as possible and provide substantive information.

Making money through Adsense - or Amazon - or eBay - happens as a result of providing quality information.

Even on sites like Associated Content where writers do games like "click on 5 of mine" and "I'll click on 5 of yours" to increase their page views isn't going to make anyone money in the long term. It may be a short term game. I remember reading in the forums how one of the AC writers explained that even clicking on each other's content to increase page views ultimately wouldn't work to boost earnings. If it's insular, then the advertising will be for naught even on sites where page views are rewarded.

Here's what I believe would be a better example of Hubkarma: using Hubpages as a place to first shop and learn before going elsewhere.

Let's say a birthday is coming up for your spouse or friend. Why not check Hubs related to birthday gifts for spouses or friends - or sports gifts or like my Hub on mugs as gift ideas? You go to the Hubs that look interesting - and there may be something of value found through Google Adsense. If that's the case, click on it . . . definitely. Because if you're interested in it, you'll explore further and perhaps make a purchase and Google will reward the Hubber. That's shopping and not click fraud.

Or you need to order a product for the office, your church group . . . or that most sacred holiday of all sacred holidays is coming again -- Christmas! Why not use Hubpages as a place to begin your holiday shopping utilizing the Amazon and eBay capsules of other Hubbers.

That is good Hubkarma. If you don't see quality information here on Hubpages because Hubs are just thrown together or people are simply clicking on each other's Hubs - then the site as a whole will suffer, traffic will drop, and money will go elsewhere.

But if valuable items are offered through Google Adsense, Amazon, eBay or even the affiliate programs of fellow Hubbers then shopping within the community is a great way to shop online.

This leads me to my next question:

Is Hubpages a professional site?

I like reading quality Hubs that have value and offer information - and not just on making money with Adsense or Amazon. When I speak with others in the business-to-business world, I mention I can write about their companies online for various reasons: SEO, backlinks, PR, etc, and I mention Hubpages as a place where they can post content. I reached a point early last year where I thought Hubpages had the potential to be seen as a quality site but then I was concerned.

I do feel, however, that the quality of writing and informational Hubs provided on the site has improved steadily. I hope it will continue improving.

Yes, I believe Hubpages can be seen as "professional" if the Hubs meet the needs of readers who come in through search engine traffic.That way, individual Hubs will rank higher be more likely to be passed around and ultimately the Hubpages community will benefit.

Writing good quality Hubs is Hubkarma that benefits us all.

In sum, Hubkarma consists of:

• linking from our Hubs on a topic to another Hub on the same topic
• shopping on Hubpages first when looking for information or products to purchase
• writing quality Hubs
• acknowledging Hubbers who both instruct and inspire us