Google has updated the Terms of Service for AdSense again and apparently there are some significant changes to take note of. I’ve only read relatively brief summaries of the changes that highlight things that bloggers may want to be aware of. One of those changes that Darren from Problogger talks about in his post on the AdSense TOS changes is that ads from competing networks must now be different enough so that they can’t be confused with Google AdSense ads.

Clearly, this is going to be somewhat subjective. Typical of Google’s pronouncements from the lofty wizard’s tower, those of us who make use of AdSense ads will be left to try to figure out what it all means. In my own case, will the AdBrite ad block in my right sidebar now be in conflict with the AdSense TOS? Although, the text of the ads is a different color and the design of the ads is a bit different, will this be enough for Google?

I’ll have to do some more research and think about what changes I may have to make to become fully compliant with the new Terms of Service. I see many web sites and blogs that are clearly out of compliance and some that are in what I would think are gray areas. Now that the terms have been changed, we’ll just have to see what will ultimately be accepted by observing Google’s actions in enforcing the policies.