HI there, Tamewasp
The rules for Adsense programs can be found at:
www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer
Interpretation, of inferences is addressed at:
www.google.com/adsense/localized-terms
I stand to be corrected, and welcome all insights, the inference of ToC in terms of material breaches of policies (found at
www.google.com/adsense/policies), and guidelines (found at
www.google.com/permissions/guidelines is very clear.
Specifically to answer your question to Lynn Quario,
"Let us say we have a subject "x" which is not a niche. But below it there are 8 sub-subjects which are all niches. Is that the kind of thing I should be looking for?"
The answer to this question requires some systemic thinking, a good reference-point would be OOA/OOD object-oriented methodology, and before you go to sleep I'll give you the potted version...
There are 2 key structures in OOA/OOD...
1) Generalisation - Specialisation Structure
A specialisation is an instance of inherited attributes of a generalisation, therefore to answer your question succinctly...
At what ever level it occurs in the Generalisation-Specialisation hierarchy, If the Generalisation is identified by Google as prohibitive, it follows that any specialisation (niche or not) would be deemed inheriting attributes from the generalisation, therefore they should be regarded as prohibitive... I suggest you confirm this directly with Google...
2) Classes - Objects Structure
Every object is derived from a higher class; each object inherits the fundamental attributes of the class above, and adds to it, thereby differentiating itself but having the use of all class derived functionality.
It follows, that what you may regard as a niche is in fact true, however as (1), the same rulings would apply...
"The one I am thinking of does involve prescription medication which Adsense does not allow. If I put the medication into a different domain without Adsense in it do you think I could work around the problem?"
To answer this question, the best point of reference is Google (see links above), If you would like an opinion, without prejudice... If you are the owner, or have vested interest, or undue influence of any particular domain, and if you solicit, infer, coheres or otherwise affect communications (all forms, digital incl.) that circumvent to any degree in what ever form the operating rules, guidelines, and terms, you would be in breach of contract.
From the statement above you should be able to answer your question...
Hope that helps...
Goodmans