Tag Archives: Google
Moving Forward by Stepping Back
“Perhaps it was the highly caffeinated sugar rush but at that moment, I had an epiphany. I realized the problem of click fraud was only going to get worse and more complex. Measure this challenge against the rapid growth of search marketing and there was an opportunity staring me in the face.” Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, IAB, Microsoft, Online Advertising, Yahoo
Click Fraud Gets Slicker
“The article highlights “a new form of click fraud that accomplishes what online fraud watchdogs might have once thought impossible: a scam that not only simulates valid clicks on a Google ad sold to an advertiser, but seems to result in a real customer who spends money on the advertiser’s site.” This is the worst case scenario for an advertiser…” Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising
Beware the “Bahama” Botnet
Just when you thought the fraudsters couldn’t get any more sophisticated … they surprise you. Click Forensics researchers have recently discovered one of the most advanced sources of click fraud we’ve seen. We’ve named it the “Bahama botnet” because when first discovered it was redirecting traffic through 200,000 parked domain sites located in the Bahamas. It has since been reprogrammed to redirect through other intermediate sites hosted in Amsterdam, the U.K., and even San Jose, CA, but the Bahama name stuck. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Microsoft, Online Advertising, Yahoo
The Doctors Are ‘In’
Today we are thrilled to announce that Dr. Tuzhilin has joined the Click Forensics Advisory Board. Few individuals have had more real-world and academic experience in the measurement of online traffic quality and its effect on advertisers. His work has helped move the industry toward standards and cooperation. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising
Search Engine Strategies SJC Recap
While attendance at SES San Jose was definitely down this year, it was still a great show. I enjoyed meeting people at our booth and appreciated the hard work of our team pulling that all together. We met a lot of interesting folks and enjoyed hearing feedback on new Click Forensics dashboard. Continue reading
Filed under Google, Online Advertising, Yahoo
Welcome Bing!
Let’s face it, Google needs a competitor. Microsoft is ready to give them a run for their money (and it’s a lot of money). Last night, here in Seattle, Microsoft lit up the Space Needle to celebrate the launch of Bing. Time will tell … Continue reading
Is Google Watching You?
So if you have a G1 remember the minute you turn it, Google is watching you. Tracking every move you make and, unlike other consumer data, you can’t see what information has been collected nor is there a way to modify it. But don’t worry; we can always trust Google to do the right thing… right? Continue reading
Obnoxious Facebook Ads
I am going to go out on a limb and guess that Facebook is making money from the ads… c’mon Facebook! I am a fan and have encouraged lots of folks to join. Respect your members and get your act together on this before the negative PR buzz drip to a flood. Continue reading
Filed under Facebook, Google, Online Advertising
If I could change just one thing about Google, it would be…
We all love Google but nobody’s perfect! We hear suggestions all the time from advertisers that start, “If I could change just one thing about Google, it would be…” So I thought, let’s compile a new list! Continue reading
Filed under Click Quality Council, Google, Online Advertising
Getting an Uptick in a Downturn
The number of advertisers affected by click fraud and the dollars lost continue to rise. As we face more sophisticated attacks in 2009, I wanted to highlight some recent advances in the battle and share some specific steps advertisers can do to ensure they get what they pay for. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising, Yahoo
In Defense of the Brand
A high level of diligence is required to ensure advertiser brands are protected. Continue reading
Filed under Online Advertising
“The Happiest Place on Earth”
What this means is that parked domain companies and site owners are being squeezed. This is a trend that will continue. Advertisers are demanding higher quality traffic and Google has had a hard time delivering that from low quality traffic sites like MySpace. Enter the parked domain channel. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising, Yahoo
Under the Iceberg
Over the past two years we have been trying to bring attention to the real danger of click fraud. It is a real problem that is getting worse not better. Since we began reporting our Click Fraud Index, the overall rate has climbed over 20%. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Online Advertising
Stealing Clicks
Forbes reporter Andy Greenberg recently published a story with dueling perspectives from my friend Shuman, of Google, and me highlighting our differing views of the click fraud problem. It got me thinking about how far the community has come toward … Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising
Profiting from Click Fraud
A day or so ago, Shuman Ghosemajumder from Google posted two blogs on his personal site questioning Click Forensics data, methodologies and motivation. While it is really unfortunate that we have to take time to address these issues, I will. It … Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising
The Google Guy
I spent over an hour talking to Shuman about the NBA, work, MIT (we had done a research project with a former professor of his), life in general and yes… click fraud. I found Shuman to be very intelligent, considerate and engaging. He has a very interesting background and, like a lot of the folks I have met from Google, has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Honestly, I like the guy. Continue reading
Filed under Click Fraud, Google, Online Advertising
