I don't see as many as you are seeing, but there might be some geographical targeting (by himself or others) that gives different people differing results.
But I am seeing two of his ads, both redirecting to the same affiliate program, in violation of the redirect rule. (Final destination domain!= display URL domain.)
Absolutely astounded that Google can not or will not do anything to stop this. The display URLs are the same ones previously used.
The fact that they cannot stop this well-publicized situation is an open invitation to scammers that Google is simply unable to enforce their Adwords rules.
Not so sure now that any credit card fraud might be involved. I'd think he'd be bidding higher. (I see these in positions 2 and 8 for the keyword I checked.)
It could simply be that Google hasn't automated the URL check (as far as I can tell, they haven't) and simply doesn't have the personnel to keep on top of it.
And they apparently don't have automated tools that they ought to have to be able to fight abuse - such as the ability to ban a domain. This guy just keeps coming back, either because Google never did a thing, or else he signed up again with a different credit card, and put the exact same ads back up. If Google had anticpiated the types of abuse that might occur, they could at least force him to register another domain each time.
But in any case, maybe it's time for Google to start implementing some serious credit-card fraud protections. As an advertiser, it wouldn't bother me to have to respond to a certified letter sent to the cardholder address in order to activate an account. (However, it should be possible to open additional accounts if you already have one without this.)
Is it really necessary for people to be able to go online, pay a minimal $5 startup fee, and start advertising immediately? Or is this quick a start-up an invitation to trouble?
I also noticed him using two domain names that aren't even registered.
In all three of these cases, the destination URL goes directly to an affiliate program. The display URL, of course, "doesn't work" but the destination URL does.
You see that the guy a.) does not care and b.) he does get away with it. From what I have learned over the last few days is that google has no tools in place to check on double bidding. This also goes back to the discussion on click fraud. It is easy to fall for the US PR propaganda. Some years back we were working with (then) a major hosting provider. When I visited them in Florida I saw a guy driving a trolly through alleys collecting credit card details which had been received by email! Before 2000 and still, the US audience wants to believe in a good story.
I also found that our rep. does respond, yet on a case by case basis. That shows me the rep. system google has in place does not work well. You may find that most traditional bricks/mortar players would handle this situation by far more professional.
After all we are dealing here with an international fraudster who defrauds hundreds of advertisers. God knows where he got the card details from. Yet, after weeks shouting out loud he is still active. But then again, there is no police one can turn to, it all comes down to Internet self regulation. But what to do if no one seems to care.
So far we have not received any official google statement on what is going on. Also no clear outline has been provided on what they intend to do about it.
And yes, the issue of refunds for lost sales is something one should look into. After all google was informed about this weeks ago.
And yes, the issue of refunds for lost sales is something one should look into. After all google was informed about this weeks ago.
This is a horrible problem, to be sure, and Google needs to do something about it--but refunds for "lost sales"? Not gonna happen.
You can't be refunded for something that never happened. Since AdWords is PPC, you only pay when somebody clicks. Since nobody's clicking, nobody's paying, so Google doesn't owe you anything except to fix this problem.
It's not like Google's causing the fraud or took your money without delivering a product.
Trust me..i wasn't hoping;-)
I do not see where Google would give money for lost sales but a compensation for increased costs is in order. I will forego any money if they could just solve the issue.
I only see one ad that I can identify as his, but it still is a TOS violation.
The destination URL redirects to an affiliate program. At least the destination URL does not go directly to the affiliate program.
I wonder if they've just blocked all ads with "hotels" in them?
Whoops, now "city hotel" and "hotel city" are showing no ads too. Double, whoops, it goes back and forth showing ads and not showing ads for "hotel."
Weird.
Anyone else seeing this?
JK
Now this is interesting. I just googled several "[city] hotels" and there were NO ads whatsoever! Googling "[city] hotel" shows ads.
Actually, I am currently seeing NO ads for ANYTHING.
As far as I can tell, Adwords is currently completely down, at least for Google Search.
Not even iPods. :)
I wonder if the Google Update tonight has anything to do with this ... Usually they post these announcements further in advance. This one just seemed to pop up in the last couple days. I'm sure it's just wishful thinking.
This really should go to the press, though, as the practice is fairly wide-spread. They might want to re-think if that happens.
Do a little speculative math, and imagine what percentage of people who have a fradulent charge show-up on their credit card bill seek out online forums operated by the merchant and post about it.
I'd guess it's a pretty small number. Most people would file a claim with their credit card company and be done with it.
Yet there has been a spate of these over the past couple of weeks.
Just my 2 cents
Peter
Under 'bangkok widgets', 'singapore widgets', 'dubai widgets'etc... Ads are posted on google international sites. Same forwarding to widgetsclub.
google better checks quick on this one, as the last episode was rather expensive for all involved.
[edited by: mona at 2:06 pm (utc) on Feb. 10, 2006]
[edit reason] no specific kws - thx! [/edit]
