A Comprehensive Checklist for Google MCM Approval
As a publisher within an ad network, getting your site approved by Google Ad Manager Multi-Client Management (MCM) can significantly boost your advertising potential. However, the approval process involves meeting stringent criteria set by Google to ensure quality and compliance. This guide combines internal guidelines with Google’s requirements to provide a comprehensive checklist that will help prepare your site for MCM approval.
1. Legal and Privacy Considerations
- Transparent Privacy Practices: Clearly outline your privacy practices and ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR or CCPA. Include a detailed privacy policy that is easily accessible to users.
- Respect for Intellectual Property: Ensure all content, especially multimedia elements, are either originally created, properly attributed, or licensed appropriately.
2. Adherence to Ad Quality and Compliance
- Strategic Ad Placement: Ensure that ads are placed strategically across your site in a way that they are clearly distinguishable from editorial content and do not disrupt the user experience.
- Compliance with Google Policies: Adhere strictly to Google’s advertising policies. This includes ensuring all content is family-safe, free from prohibited topics, and complies with local and international legal standards.
3. Content Quality and Volume
- Robust Content Library: Each website should host a minimum of 20 articles to demonstrate substantial content volume. This shows an active, regularly updated site, which Google favors in its approval process.
- Originality in Content: Prioritize originality in all published content. Every article should be unique to avoid penalties for content duplication, ensuring your site maintains its integrity and stands out in the approval process.
4. Enhancing User Experience
- Responsive Design: Guarantee that your website is responsive, providing a seamless experience across all devices. This responsiveness is critical for mobile users and affects Google’s assessment of your site.
- Optimize Load Times: Work on optimizing your website’s load times, as faster sites provide a better user experience, which is a significant factor in Google’s approval process.
5. Focus on a Defined Niche
- Consistency in Topics: Maintain a clear focus on a specific niche. This concentration helps establish your site as a go-to resource in your chosen area, enhancing its authority and relevance.
- Depth in Categories: Develop your content categories to include at least 6 articles each. This depth is vital, as categories with just a little amount of articles may not demonstrate enough value or expertise, potentially impacting the site’s evaluation.
6. Optimize Site Navigation
Structured Navigation: Design your website with a structured menu that includes links to important sections such as Home, About Us, Contact Us, and distinct blog categories. This setup enhances the ease of navigation and user experience, which are crucial for meeting Google’s standards.
By following this checklist, publishers will not only align their sites with Google’s requirements but also enhance the overall quality and user engagement of their web presence.
