Overture adds verifcation code form to log-in

[msgraph]

Sorry if I'm late with this but just noticed it this morning. In addition to your user name and pass you have to enter a random four character verifcation code that is given as an image.

[Laisha]

* This helps us prevent automated logins.

That's kind of weak. I guess they're unaware of character recognition?

[PPCBT]

Laisha,
This functionality will "weed" out the majority of unathorized automated access to Overture.

That will make it much easier for them to track and block the remaining minority, that add OCR code...

[hasbeen]

I'm curious as to when this was rolled out. I accessed our Overture account yesterday afternoon and didn't see that as a requirement. Could it be that they just started it as a requirement? I guess I'd better check it out.....

<edited stupid spelling errors...fingers don't move as fast as my brain.>

(edited by: hasbeen at 2:26 pm (utc) on Mar. 27, 2002)

[msgraph]

They must have set it up last night or early this morning because I didn't see it yesterday afternoon either.

Maybe it was after this...

Overture is DOWN! [webmasterworld.com]

[kapow]

Yes - This is new.
This is great news for me because many of my competitive bids are destroyed one minute later by automated tools.

The big question is: Will this prevent automated bid management?

Surely they can improve the images so that OCR can't detect it?

I have seen one major bid management tool that claims to have an agreement with Overture - that Overture authorise their tool. But I havn't heard or seen anything on Overture about approving any automated bin management.

[gatotoo]

Overture has been working on this for weeks. Overture has a deal with several companies ([snip] for example) that will only allow a maximum of 6 automated updates per day. They have driven other companies that wouldn't comply (snip) out of business.

(edited by: Mike_Mackin at 4:17 pm (utc) on Mar. 27, 2002)

[kapow]

This is working, I'm very happy :) :) :)
All of my bids are in the position I want without using bid management tools.

Hey Gatotoo - no name dropping on WMW!

[Mike_Mackin]

Welcome gatotoo :)

Good point kapow

[PPCBT_guy]

Overture will not stop @ simple image verification. Their goal is to disallow any autobot that they have not approved.
Overture has other technological weapons on the horizon.

Let us also not forget the legal sword. I came across complaint filed by Overture vs Did-it that was filed in California on February 20th that directly shows their willingness to pursue and disallow "rogue tools".

Email me if you would like the url to this complaint..

[gatotoo]

I got an email from [snip] (I snipped the name myself, thanks Mike!, one of the Overture compliant software companies this morning.

At the end of February, Overture provided a
separate server cluster for third party tools to access, separate from the Direct Traffic Center that users log into.

The separate server has apparently been "overwhelmed", resulting in bidding software that doesnt work!!

I use the software, so I'm a little bummed.

[Mike_Mackin]

According to Overture CS there is an overall server issue today that "hopefully" will be fixed in just a few hours.

[lesjones]

I'm thrilled with the change.

This cuts down on the constant sniping from competitors raising the price by a penny. It also keeps prices from getting out of control. If one automated bidder is bidding on a term it isn't so bad. If two are more are bidding on the same term the bids can quickly become outrageous.

[2_much]

I've been seeing this since the beginning of October! Maybe because that's when I signed up as a new advertiser, and they're just now making it a requirement for old advertisers?

Also, I was looking for the thread where we were discussing discrepancies with the KW tool but couldn't find it so I'll add this here.

I'm not sure if this is well known but it is possible to tell impressions for the keywords you're advertising for. I was thinking they may have a way to adjust either in order that neither the tool or impression count is proven wrong?