One of my competitors is using popups and a script to bypass the review

[NoCarrier]

I reported the ad violating the guidelines to an adwords reviewer but he/she won't remove it.

This is where it gets complicated, the ad is using a .cgi file.

Basically, what the script does, is that it checks where the click is coming from.

It the click is not from google.com, it won't show the popups. If it's from google.com then it will trigger the popups.

It's a clever way to bypass the guidelines when you guys are reviewing it.

I tried explaining everything to the reviewer, I even asked him/her to click on google.com to prove the popups are there and that it's a script to bypass everything. But he/she won't listen.

Thank you so much for your time.

[edited by: skibum at 2:14 am (utc) on May 19, 2005]

[NoCarrier]

I forgot to mention that this advertiser has been doing the same thing for the past 5 months. He's always using the same ad.

I usually talk to one of your reviewers and he removes the ad as soon as it's back. But that reviewer doesn't seem to work there anymore.

So I had to explain again everything to another reviewer about the script issue. And how that script is bypassing the review process to show popups on his landing page. And how you have to click the ad from google.com to actually see them.

I don't want that advertiser to get away with it. I find it extremely frustrating for the honest advertisers who follow the guidelines and do not try to scam the review process with a .cgi script.

[eyeinthesky]

I think you could spend your time more wisely (like thinking up new marketing strategies) than to try to report your competitor.

Unless he/she copies your work, it not worth anyone's time trying to bring down a competitor.

Just my 2 cts worth :)

[Sujan]

NoCarrier, save a simple(!), step by step description in a textfile and send a mail every time you see the ad. Include the keyword and ai-parameter from the link you would have to click on Google to get to your competitors website (rightclick, save target as, cut & paste the parameter).

http:// www. google. com/url?sa=l&q=http://example.org&ai=BT54N3eCLQvjJHo
LoReXFmJoLieSnCqm8_aIBxPWEWPCiBBABGAEoAkDkEUiXOaoBJUdHTEQrR
0dMRDoyMDA1LTE2K0dHTEQ6ZGUrR0dMRDpDKzJxyz&num=1

With this data the reviewers can find the ad and account more easily and your explanation should help the reviewer to understand how this works. So it's only about 30 seconds work for you to tell Google about it - and most often (well, sometimes...) they will even act and disable the ad.

In my opinion often it's a good thing to them about competition playing bad - because it's one of the easiest way to get more clicks and sales. And if your competition doesn't play under the rules, they deserve it to be kicked - my 2 cents.

- Jan

[NoCarrier]

Sujan,

The problem is, if you click the "adword" link from an e-mail, you won't see the popup. His .cgi script is that clever. You only see popups if you click the ad from google.com

(I tried it, I clicked on the adword link from the e-mail and I didn't get any popups)

He knew he might be reported.

- The reviewers can't see the popups when they review it from adwords.google.com

- The reviewers can't see the popups from an e-mail.

His script is checking the referer. He programmed a simple script.

And yes, thanks for supporting my cause Sujan, I too believe that reporting someone cheating and not following the guidelines is also part of a strategy to be fair with everyone.

[cline]

It's well worth your time to ensure you and your competitor have a level playing field.

Do have some patience. It generally takes Adwords a good couple of business days to address editorial issues, and in this case it should be expected to take longer because they will need to go through another server.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

NoCarrier, my best advice would be to write a brief but thorough summary, and make the request that your concern should be reviewed by a senior policy person, or policy manager. We do take ads quality very seriously, and we're fully aware that our users are not fond of pop-ups.

Feel free to quote me, and put a link to this thread in your email too, if you like. ;)

AWA

[NoCarrier]

Thank you AdWordsAdvisor,

I was getting desperate.

I quoted your message and sent a detailed e-mail about the issue.

I will let you know once I have a reply for them.

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

[NoCarrier]

AdWordsAdvisor,

The senior policy specialists have reviewed the website in question and confirmed that it did not meet their current Editorial Guidelines.

So they removed the ad.

Thank you so much for your help,

I really appreciate it.

[pageoneresults]

Okay, one down and millions more to go! ;)

[NoCarrier]

Okay, one down and millions more to go! ;)

I never said the war was won, it's far from over. But I'm still proud of winning "one" battle against cheaters. ;)