adsense and being banned

[lookingswell]

several questions:

1) how common truly is it from being banned due to click fraud when it really isn't your fault. it definitely happens by nature but does it happen often often for me not to use it?

2) how does google determine click fraud? simply by seeing if a user clicks on an ad multiple times? does it compare the IP of the publisher to the clicker to so if even a single click came from the publisher?

3) if i have multiple, unrelated website, all using the same adsense account, and if it is banned, are the earning for the time canceled for all the websites or just the one google had issues with?

4) not a question but a comment: don't you think it'd be so much better if the policy was that click fraud wouldn't be counted, not for the user to be banned?! i can go and click on ads on someone else's website, and they won't get the money they earned with legitimate clicks because an idiot screwed them??

[jeremy]

1) very uncommon
2) no one really knows... and don't bother asking google
3) you might want to ask google this question, they may answer it. i don't really know
4) click fraud is a serious problem. google isn't out to screw over someone because some kid decided to click a bunch of times. i really doubt they would ban anyone for that. i am sure they can tell with fairly good accuracy whether it is click fraud or not. if they don't take an aggressive stand against click fraud, their advertisers will leave or lower their prices.

[Tyler]

Yes, click fraud is a big problem. I don't think it's so much the issue of having a lot of automated bots making people millions, but more through webmasters clicking on their ads a few times per day to make some extra cash. Multiply this by a couple hundred thousand people and you can see why advertisers would be upset.

If you look at it from the advertiser's eyes, it makes all the more sense; you don't want to be spending good money only to not be guaranteed legitimate visitors...

In any case, from what I hear, Google is supposed to be very fair and if you provide them with your server logs from the specified period, they should reactivate your account if you can prove to them it was a mistake or error..

[profitline]

Sometimes if you have a suddenly rise in visitors with clicks due to being dugg, it can cause click fraud moments which google will suspect you are involved in.

[Sam]

If you look at it from the advertiser's eyes, it makes all the more sense; you don't want to be spending good money only to not be guaranteed legitimate visitors...

I agree, some people just don't seem to realize their blowing other people's money. Besides, why even start with click fraud anywas, it'll give you lots of trouble (banned account anyone?) and it won't help your long term income.

[profitline]

I have always recommended 2 of my articles to others who are afraid of getting banned from google.

Prevent from clicking on your own Adsense ads (http://www.etienneteo.com/2007/10/how-to-prevent-google-from-suspending.html)

22 Mistakes that you never would have known could violate Google Adsense (http://www.etienneteo.com/2007/09/22-mistakes-that-you-never-would-have.html)

If you have any questions, you can always drop me a PM!

[Trusttec]

good articles, if you think its cheating you shouldnt bother doing it, it goes along with the same sense if you think you could get banned from doing it dont do it!

[profitline]

Recently, adsense implement their new ad unit. It will be considered a click if you hit the links on your mouse otherwise on the background or whitespace of the full ads there is no way you will be linked to an ad, this cuts down the chances of a click fraud or accidentally clicking.

[Trusttec]

yeah I think this is going to decrease everyones adsense earnings but its going to be better for adwords advertisers as there are not going to be as many invaild clicks from users who accidently click on the ads. Its a 50/50 situation.