Regarding Google's recently added the ability to exclude by IP address:
Their information explains how it works, but I am thoroughly confused as to why this should be an option:
"You can exclude up to 20 IP addresses or ranges of addresses, per campaign."
Why only 20?
This strikes me as a very odd feature, and while Google explain how to use it, they fail to say why.
If a person keeps clicking on your ads, shouldn't the system spot this as potential click fraud?
And how many fraudsters will use fixed IP addresses?
This is a dangerous tool. And it will only be a matter of time before someone goes through their web logs, sees "click fraud attempts" and inadvertently blocks every AOL user in the US from seeing their ads.
Why have they done it?
The only reason that I can think of is to alleviate the support requests. But as a feature, it's more or less useless.
Why have they done it?
This has been a frequent advertisers request, over time. And it has been implemented as a result of these ongoing requests, even though we feel we very successfully filter for invalid clicks. I guess you could say this is designed for those advertisers who will feel more secure only when they feel they are in control.
...it will only be a matter of time before someone goes through their web logs, sees "click fraud attempts" and inadvertently blocks every AOL user in the US from seeing their ads.
Completely agreed. I was thinking of posting a similar comment in the other thread on this topic, but was hoping that someone other than me would say it first. So thanks for saying it, sharewarepro. This is indeed a very real possibility - and I would suggest using the IP exclusion tool with some caution, and in a very deliberate and informed way.
But as a feature, it's more or less useless.
Ahh - there you may get some disagreement from other WebmasterWorld members. ;) I think if used with care, it will give some advertisers a more secure feeling, as mentioned earlier.
AWA
The thing you didn't cover is could this feature unintentionally set off some kind of war between competitors. In other words they blocked me I’ll block them type thing. Ill feelings might arise.
Overall though it seems it's bascially only good for a persistent pest but if they're that pesty they've probably figured a way around IP blocks. I would think some copyright offenders will see some pluses to this. Overall the feature in some way will probably have the most value to Google itself especially in click fraud cases.
