Google commits click fraud on national TV

Google clicks its own ads

[alvin123]

On a segment of 60 minutes, Lesley Stahl is talking to Google executive Marissa Mayer about how Google makes money.

"People always ask us how Google makes money," Mayer says, as she does a Google search for flowers. The left side of the screen displays the top 10 Web sites Google found related to flowers. Appearing on the right side are what Google calls sponsored links. This, she explains, is where the money comes from. When someone clicks on a sponsored link, say in this case it's an ad for FTD flowers, the company pays Google.

It shows Marissa clicking on the FTD ad and other ads as she explains that "this is the way Google makes money". Is this a big deal? It sure doesn’t set a very good example.

Link to summary of the story, [cbsnews.com...]

[HughMungus]

So they're going to send the invalid clicks email to themselfs?

[camper]

Or, they could send it to themselves.

[europeforvisitors]

Is this a big deal? It sure doesn’t set a very good example.

Come, now. Even if Google doesn't mail a dime or a dollar to FTD for that demo click on "60 Minutes," I'm sure FTD will be grateful for having its name broadcast into millions of homes on national TV.

[bakedjake]

You're kidding, right?

[Zygoot]

I don't think the company will mind the click fraud if there name and website is beeing displayed on TV.

[iblaine]

Tell google I will promise not to sue them if they click on my ad on national TV.

[chrisnrae]

Yea, I'm sure FTD was *real* pissed bout the national exposure they're company and web address got on 60 minutes for the cost of an ad click.

[Jenstar]

They could spend my entire daily budget, or even my entire monthly budget for that matter, fi it meant my URL getting national exposure on 60 Minutes.

[alvin123]

Getting free publicity is not the issue. Click fraud is suppose to be a serious problem, Google clicking on its own ads on national tv, does not help.

[sun818]

The intent is not to commit fraud. Clicking on advertisement once as an example, is not the same as an individual or robot repeatedly clicking on different advertisements over time. Put the quantity and intent into context.

[skipfactor]

You ever think that maybe a click from inside the Plex doesn't register?

added: btw she clicked on an AdWords ad, not AdSense.

[edited by: skipfactor at 2:52 am (utc) on Jan. 5, 2005]

[webmastertexas]

alvin123,

Do you know how MUCH it costs to show a 30-second ad on a top-rated show like "60 Minutes"? Don't try so hard to "nail" Google. You're just starting to sound ridiculous now. :)

[Never_again]

It shows Marissa clicking on the FTD ad and other ads as she explains that "this is the way Google makes money". Is this a big deal? It sure doesn’t set a very good example.

When I saw this happen on 60 Minutes I immediately thought, "I wonder how long it will take someone on this forum to accuse Google of click fraud." Well, it took longer than I predicted to my son.

alvin123, how do you know they charge FTD for that click? Right, you don't. And, as already pointed out, any company would love to get mentioned on 60 Minutes for the cost of one click.

[dmedia]

I think I understand alvin123's point .. I too had the "oh, now that's just not right" response when I saw it .. after all my careful instructions to friends/family to never ever click on ads on my sites .. now what will the kids think ;)

Yeah yeah .. I KNOW it was a SERP ad .. not Adsense ..

Another deep thought or two .. wonder if G experineced an upsurge in searches for "flowers" after the show .. along with clicks on flower ads .. "just like I saw on the telly" ..

[walkman]

"Google commits click fraud on national TV"

Charge them under the Patriot Act...what do you think?

[Macro]

It's unlikely they would have used that example unless they had approved it with the company in question first. That's irrespective of whether the click was counted or not.

[esllou]

yes, and I think the self same company will be winging a check google's way too.

[Hugene]

Is this a joke or what. Its called a demo, thats it

[morpheus83]

It was just done for Illustration porposes. The best way to explain is to actually click and show how it works.