The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Apple Modifies Google AdWord Policy

TMO Reports - Apple Modifies Google AdWord Policy

by , 9:30 AM EDT, October 11th, 2005

Apple has loosened its policy on the keywords companies can use when advertising Macintosh and iPod related products and services through Google. TidBITS editor Adams Engst notes in the follow up to his advertising problems that both "Mac" and "Macintosh" are now acceptable AdWords again.

As previously reported, the issue stems from Apple requesting that Google prohibit the use of specific AdWords, or keywords, in paid advertisements in Google search results. The end result was that companies selling Mac and iPod related products were hobbled because they had no way of linking their products to a consumer's search.

Although "Mac" and "Macintosh" are now allowable AdWords, other Apple trademarked terms like Apple, iPod, shuffle, Mac mini, iMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac, iTunes, and iTMS are still prohibited. Since the restrictions seem to apply to advertisements running in Eastern Europe and Switzerland, this word game headache shouldn't be a problem for companies advertising in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe.

Engst noted that neither Apple or Google responded to his request for an official statement regarding the policy change.

Despite the fact that neither company is acknowledging the change, the fact remains that advertisers will now have an easier time promoting their Apple related products through Google. Mr. Engst and the tight knit community of Mac and iPod developers and service providers no doubt played an important role resolving the issue.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: Mac Observer OK - iPod Observer doomed?

There seems to be a weird inconsistency between Apple's stance on "Mac" versus "iPod" - are they cracking down on web sites as well?? ;-/

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated March 18th

Thu, 1:40 PM
News - Apple Patents Miniature Projector Technology
12:39 PM
News - Apple Director Jerome York Passes Away After Suffering Aneurysm
12:38 PM
iPad - Rupert Murdoch: ‘All Media is Going Into the iPad’
11:35 AM
News - Apple Highlights New In-store Youth Workshops
11:00 AM
Product News - STM Adds New Colors to Laptop, iPad Glove Lineup
10:42 AM
Dave Hamilton's Blog - SXSW Music Festival Survival Guide
9:54 AM
Product News - CheckUp 2.6 Improves Core i5, i7 Support
9:35 AM
News - Apple Adds Price Change Scheduling to App Store
8:56 AM
News - HTC Ready to Take On Apple in Patent Suit
8:15 AM
News - Amazon Releases Kindle for Mac Public Beta
Wed, 7:26 PM
News - Apple Director Jerome York Hospitalized, in Critical Condition
5:20 PM
Mac Geek Gab Podcast - MGG 250: SXSW, Time Machine, Mail Tips, & Network Performance

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!