Google randomly adding Auto Ads without me putting a code

Automatically inserted Auto ad code

[Broaster]

I was looking at my website and I didn't add the auto ads code from my adsense, I used to have that a month ago but removed it because none of the auto ads would get clicked for some odd reason even though they would appear randomly

the only ads I had up were the manual ones and they would get more clicks, I got 2 clicks on auto ads no matched content clicks either, its weird

but anyway I removed the auto ad code over a month ago

I check today and my website had an add on the homepage so I thought someone might have inserted their add through a plug in, but it was my add same id

I then look in my theme and the auto add code is not there so I found this strange

I log into my adsense and I saw this Automatically inserted Auto ad code showing up and it had 3 clicks for 7 cents

Is this a new thing? I don't have the auto ad code in my website anymore is Adsense just putting ads up now without consent?

[CommandDork]

Yah - noticed the "Automatically Inserted Auto Ad Code" started showing in reports for me too recently - but I run Auto Ads so not totally unexpected.

I think the product/feature is a bit broken as is though - I was running Auto Ads on one particular site and then manually turned it off weeks ago - problem is, the site keeps running Auto Ads like normal. I've been too lazy to contact support about it but maybe that's your best bet.

Also check to see if you have your account allowing experiments/labs to run:

OPTIMIZATION >> OPPORTUNITIES >> OPTIMIZATION SETTINGS >> Automatic Experiments "Let Google Optimize for you"

Or check...

OPTIMIZATION >> LABS >> ENABLED LABS "This lab automatically puts Auto Ads on all your pages that currently don't have the Auto Ad Code at the top of the page."

[NickMNS]

@CommandDork

OPTIMIZATION >> OPPORTUNITIES >> OPTIMIZATION SETTINGS >> Automatic Experiments "Let Google Optimize for you"

I checked this and found that the second option was checked in my account:
"Run automatic experiments only, Google will run experiments, but you decide if you want to apply any improvements"
I don't remember setting this, I don't remember even seeing this option. Thus far, I haven't seen any evidence of auto ads but I set it to "No automatic experiments".

Is this a new feature?

[CommandDork]

It was a new feature to me when I found it a few weeks back. I don't recall seeing any mention/announcement about it anywhere myself.

And, like you, I never set the option either so I think they provide the default for us. I've switched it to the 'Recommended' setting to see if there are any benefits/dangers.

If you run REPORTS >> CUSTOM CHANNELS, YESTERDAY there is an entry now that's named "Automatically Inserted Auto Ad Code". Mine shows very low numbers so I don't think it's running a whole lot throughout my setup.

[CommandDork]

Running a report on the channel 'Automatically Inserted Auto Ad Code' also shows it's been appearing in my account since December 10th/11th, 2018 so it's fairly new.

[NickMNS]

I don't see anything in my account. I guess that's the good.

[tangor]

g can change their service anytime they like without telling you. That these changes are doing stealth mode should be a caution.

I suspect this new function allows g to insert advertising that the webmaster has already refused... More money for g!

[JS_Harris]

You agreed to allow Google to ignore your settings when/where they please for testing purposes, it's in their terms.

I don't think they are out to cheat you. They are out to test and gather data, even if it leaves you with less earnings.