Invalid Clicks Question

What do I do about an email from Google?

[wealthyteddy]

Hi!

I'm sure I'm not the first (or last), but I received the following email from Google Adsense today:

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<snip> - Generic warning email about invalid clicks citing third party auto-surf applications etc.

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I'm a bit confused, as the most I've ever earned on one day since I created this account in February 2006 is under $6, which is hardly a big deal.

So, has anybody got any ideas on how best to deal with this? (I have replied asking for further information, e.g. which domain or domains are causing the problems, but I don't really expect a reply.)

Many thanks,

Mark.

[edited by: trillianjedi at 10:11 am (utc) on April 16, 2006]
[edit reason] No email quotes whatsoever please - as per TOS [/edit]

[trillianjedi]

You'll get a reply, it just may be a generic one.

It's a warning.

Something has tripped a flag, you need to find out what that was and Google may not be forthcoming with more information to assist with that.

The best way to approach this is to re-read the AdSense TOS and do a full site(s) audit.

If your AdSense account is of value to you, as it's not currently generating a lot of money, I would pull the ads while you investigate and explain to Google that's what you're doing. Bear in mind Google retain the right to cancel your account if it's not used during a three month period, so you'll need to get the ads back up again within a reasonable time.

I suspect the answer lies somewhere in your log files.

TJ

[humblebeginnings]

"I'm a bit confused, as the most I've ever earned on one day since I created this account in February 2006 is under $6, which is hardly a big deal."

Well I am a bit confused if this is your way of explaining you did not commit click fraud.
If I were completely innocent, the least I would say is "I didn't click my own ads" or the like. All you are saying is that if there is indeed any click fraud, committed by you or others, the damage is no more than $6 a day. My advice to you would be to explain this differently to Google.

I sure hope I don't sound to hostile, but I also advice you to remove the e-mail quotes, because they are not allowed per WW TOS.
(edited: I see the mods already did it...)

The question that comes to mind is; did you break the Adsense TOS, or do you have no idea what went wrong? If you did break the Adsense TOS, there is not much advise to be given.

[wealthyteddy]

Thanks for the feedback.

You're right, I could have been clearer.

I have definitely not committed click fraud myself, and I genuinely don't know what has gone wrong.

I will check the log files, if possible, and also await a reply from Google.

Thanks for the advice!

Mark.

[Tropical Island]

A quick Google search of your login name shows someone with the same nick in many different "automatic traffic producing" websites and forums.

I would suggest that if it is you then that is where your problems are coming from.

[moTi]

funny how things resolve so quickly every time.
and of course, complete innocence and ignorance ;)