SOP #57 — The Terms-of-Service Audit That Avoided a Dead Account

SOP #57 — The Terms-of-Service Audit That Avoided a Dead Account

Site earned $11k/mo, 90% from one ad network. We audited account stability before offering:

1. Read that network's terms — flag anything the site is doing that violates them.
2. Check for warnings — demand a screenshot of the account's policy/violations panel, full history. Result: two prior policy warnings for invalid-traffic.
3. Verify the account transfers — does the network permit ownership change, or must you reapply? Result: account was non-transferable; buyer must reapply and pass review.
4. Model revenue during the 30-60 day reapplication gap and at a backup network's lower RPM.

Outcome: two strikes plus a forced reapplication meant likely revenue interruption and possible rejection. We required a $25k holdback contingent on the buyer's account approval. Seller's risk, not ours.

Save this — run it every deal.