This "search partner" was certainly an amusing one. A site not indexed by Google or Yahoo!, that basically had a search box, and list of "popular searches" (all high priced ones) underneath. These "popular searches" would pull up a page full of nothing but sponsored links, followed by a list of "related searches" to the right. A real nice setup for a friendly click bot to follow.
At first glance I thought I had accidently placed content network on. But after looking through the account, I realized this was what Google considered a search partner. A site I could have put together in 4 hours, with no unique content whatsoever. There wasn't even a fancy logo to trick advertisers into thinking they were a legitimate site.
My problem is that the client converts well on AOL, Ask Jeeves, and other relevant search partners. In fact, AOL brings in a substantial number of sales a day. Now turning off the search network may rid us of this fraudulent click problem, but will cost the client many sales.
My question is, when will we see some actual requirements for search network partners? And when will Google care about the ROI of their advertisers?
<link to PPC Fraud article & Programs removed>
Scary stuff.
K
[edited by: eWhisper at 1:19 pm (utc) on Mar. 8, 2005]
[edit reason] Please Don't Drop Non-Authority URLs [/edit]
Take a scraper site that consists of three large rectangular AdSense ad units with invisible borders and a color scheme that matches the so-called content. The 15 or so text ads take up most if not all of the page "above the fold." Does Google defend the legitimacy of clicks from such pages if an advertiser complains? If not, does "smart pricing" eventually kick in to devalue the cost of clicks from the scraper site?
A site I could have put together in 4 hours, with no unique content whatsoever. There wasn't even a fancy logo to trick advertisers into thinking they were a legitimate site.
Then why ain't you doing it Bear, you could get 3 up and running a day. What's the matter, you have scruples or something :)
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Of course, that's a Search Partner - they're searching for money!
It's become a cottage industry, Bear. I too am running across more and more like that after examining what ends up in my logs.
It probably doesn't even take them 4 hours to set up. I'm willing to bet someone is selling a kit for those who don't know an HTML tag from a URL!
As an ad someone in one forum or another recently cited, "Start Clicking and make that money!"
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Re: the Stop Click Fraud site
Equally scary, and highly scientifically documented information on click fraud, spyware, stealware and cookie stuffing can be found at Ben Edelman's site. I'm sure most here are familiar with Ben though.
Ben is our patron saint! Get on his newsletter, especially if you are an affiliate. BTW, he's strictly non-profit.
patient2all
See my problem is that they are search partners. Most of us know content match is a joke, but search partners should atleast have some legitimacy. Oh well, for the time being, search and content network are turned off.
Bears,
Of course you know the other side of that coin, by turning off search. There are great search network partners, AOL, et al, and really crummy ones. You need to weigh the balance.
I'm still in search but would never touch content. Some pundits on this board have hinted that Google "liberalized" the qualifications for search partners to make up for the obvious lost income from affiliates from back in the days when, heaven forbid, you might have seen 3 ads for Amazon on the same page.
patient2all
