Google and Publishers Fight Click Fraud

Too many resources are used!

[GoodLucre]

In reading the many threads regarding click fraud, the problem seems to be getting out of control (or maybe it has BEEN out of control). I read that many hours of reading server logs and relaying information to Google is causing these honest publishers a great deal of time in fighting these fraudulant clicks. I can only imagine the amount of resources that Google uses in fighting this as well. It is Googles reputation with the advertiser at stake here! More importantly, it is the honest publisher that suffers most. They can't devote the necessary time to develope good content to grow their web site when their livelyhood is under attack!

Isn't there any way that the publisher and Google can stand together and fight this in a much more coordinated fashion?

Is it possible for Google to supply the publishers with a block of text to be added to the "Terms of use" (or similar) page on their web site(where no ads are run)that would list the consequences involded with fraudulant clicks of displayed ads? I'm sure that Googles legal team can word it in a manor that may discourage these acts.

The situation is only going to get worse until Google flexes its muscle and takes a hard line stance on this. I'm hoping that Google will give us some tools to help them fight!

[incrediBILL]

The term "click fraud" gets bandied about too much as "click fraud" is usually perpetrated by the AdSense account holder attempting to make more money by clicking their own ads, encouraging others to do so (click ring) or just hiring people to click. There are other reasons too numerous to count.

What I think you're discussing is "click attacks" which are idiots attacking someone's web site for purposes of getting them tossed from AdSense or just messing with the system.

Is it possible for Google to supply the publishers with a block of text to be added to the "Terms of use" (or similar) page on their web site(where no ads are run)that would list the consequences involded with fraudulant clicks of displayed ads?

You assume anyone has ever read the "terms of use" on any web site.

That will work about as well as the current laws that stop speeding, robbery and murder - everyone knows the consequences and they just keep doing it.

I'm sure that Googles legal team can word it in a manor that may discourage these acts.

Death Row hasn't stopped murder.

Criminals will do what criminals do, those signs "Secuity by AlarmCo" in the window don't stop burglars, they just disable the alarm.

Besides, if the click attack originates from another country then nothing's going to happen except the account being attacked might get suspended.

[worldwid]

Hey! Im gonna mess with this guy and click on his ads a bunch of times to get him booted. Oh man! Hes asking me not too! Darn, I better go mess with someone else who doesnt ask me not to do it =(

( the people doing a click attack, dont give 2 #*$!s about you, or your terms)

[Edge]

"That will work about as well as the current laws that stop speeding, robbery and murder - everyone knows the consequences and they just keep doing it. "

I disagree, do you think the greeters / receipt checkers at WalMart and Sam's Club don't earn their keep? I'm sure these retailers still loose money to crooks, however they would probably loose more without the greeters / receipt checkers. I wonder what our roads would be like without any police? No system is perfect, however there is a ROI by educating and verifying purchases (clicks).

[europeforvisitors]

I read that many hours of reading server logs and relaying information to Google is causing these honest publishers a great deal of time in fighting these fraudulant clicks.

I doubt if many publishers spend time analyzing their logfiles in search of fraudulent clicks. Google is much better equipped to deal with click fraud than publishers are. (What's more, it appears that Google is dealing with it, to judge from the "I've been dropped by AdSense" threads that pop up regularly on this forum.)

[Alioc]

Google is of course fighting against fraud but I beleive that it would be a nice idea if they also provide us some tools to help them. For example, everyone doesn't have that extra server space to keep large logs. Google can provide a log service associated with the AdSense account. They give more than 2GB of email space for free with gmail, so that wouldn't be a problem I guess. Moreover, this can be offered through Urchin technology including a site stats service.

Consequently, they already log everything about a publisher's website. It would be great if they share some of this info back.

[incrediBILL]

I disagree, do you think the greeters / receipt checkers at WalMart and Sam's Club don't earn their keep?

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Technology that monitors activity in REAL TIME and blocks invalid clicks at the source (similar to your WalMart greeter analogy) is a much a better deterrent than some legalese on the TERMS pages. Doesn't take much technology to block access from all known anonymous relay proxies, clicks over a threshold, daily repeat offenders, etc.

Changing text on a TERMS OF USE page is meaningless as it's not proactive and requires the perpetrator to a) read that page like anyone ever does and b) abide by those terms - a total waste of time in prevention, only useful to apply in civil court when they are caught.

[JoeT321]

Click fraud will never stop, the only important thing is reducing it.

[Kinitz]

this is a scary thread. Jenstar, please tell Google to remove possibility of click fraud banning from TOS of Adsense! Google should have mechanisms in place to solve this problem instead of scaring publishers to death..

[incrediBILL]

I wish people could read.

We weren't discussing publishers, we were discussing the random visitors reading "TERMS OF USE" on a web site with the consequences of AdSense abuse listed.

Lotta good that would ever do.

[gregbo]

Isn't there any way that the publisher and Google can stand together and fight this in a much more coordinated fashion?

Advertisers should pay a fixed fee for the ads. They won't have to worry about excessive clicks, etc., because they won't be charged for them. The cost savings from not needing an expansive infrastructure to detect click fraud can be used to develop other, more useful apps.

[incrediBILL]

Isn't there any way that the publisher and Google can stand together and fight this in a much more coordinated fashion?

There is a 100% solution to click fraud called the AFFILIATE PROGRAM - PPA - Pay Per Acquisition.

Then most of the fraud happens to the publisher with cookies being dumped, cookie washing, etc.