Accidental click fraud?

1. 74

   nakmeisterposted 12 years ago

   I have absolutely no intention of ever doing so, but has anyone any idea what does count as click fraud? i.e. 1 click, 2 clicks or lots? I can imagine it isn't that difficult if you do adsense long enough to at some point accidentally click on one of your own ads then your future earnings could be wiped out in a careless moment. I once accidentally clicked on one of my own ads when using Adwords to promote a site I had (I doubt Google would be bothered about that!) - cost me 15p but accidentally clicking on your own adsense ad could cost a lot, lot more.

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2. 73

   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   There is no such thing as accidental click fraud. I hope that helps.

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      BRIAN SLATERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      cags, with some of the flashing advertisements that are being used now days, when your moving your cursor around the screen quickly I think it can easily happen. It certainly worries me when i pass my cursor over them.

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         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I think his point is that if it is accidental, it is not fraud and if it is fraud, it is not accidental.

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3. 91

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   I've read on the forums from the "old pros" that if you accidentally click one of your owns ads once in a great while, Google will understand. I think I did it once when I first started on HP.

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      Ultimate Hubberposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I second that!

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      David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I third that!

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4. 92

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   Absolutely.I have done it two or three times over seven years.  Accidents happen and Google are  not idiots.

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      nell79posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "not not" hmmmmmmmm.........does that mean that they are idiots?

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         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         No, it means I am.

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            nell79posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I thought it was possible it was a typo, was just checking LOL

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               Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Tiny keyboard, big fingers, small brain, weak vision.
               
               It all works against me.

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                  Rosie2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  that's so funny!

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                  theherbivorehippiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  lol

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                  David 470posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  LOL

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5. 85

   Pamela N Redposted 12 years ago

   I find myself using the zoom in feature more and more. I feel your pain.

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      Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Worse, I'm on an iPad, not an iPhone

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         Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I find myself constantly having to correct myself after typing on my iPad, it tends to replace words without me noticing it.

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            Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You can shut that off in Settings.

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6. 89

   RedElfposted 12 years ago

   I have enough trouble adjusting down to a laptop keyboard - ye gods! ...an iPad! I'd need one of those embroidery magnifiers on a stand.

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      Julie2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have one of those flat magnifiers I keep in my wallet just in case!
      It looks like a credit card.

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7. 57

   Brie Hoffmanposted 12 years ago

   I did it once by accident and nothing happened.  What happened is that I was looking at one of my hubs and I really wanted to know what a particular ad was and clicked on it...not thinking about it and then after I looked at the ad I realized what I had done.  But nothing happened and it was only once.

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8. 66

   Bible Studiesposted 12 years ago

   Once in a blue moon is ok. It is when they start to see a click from you every day, multiple clicks from you in a week, or a bunch of clicks from the same IP address. I heard a while back to watch out for friends going to your website or hubs and start frequently clicking on your Google ads just to help you out. An unusual spike in ads without an unusual spike in traffic raises a red flag.

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9. 72

   thisisoliposted 12 years ago

   An occasional click probably wont get you banned, but once you lose your adsense account you wont ever get it back, dont even try to play that game!

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      kannanwritesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I second that.

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         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I think you thirded, fourthed or fifthed it, actually..

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            kannanwritesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            lol

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      iamalegendposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      i agree

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10. 81

    Mark Ewbieposted 12 years ago

    What about Amazon fraud?  I regularly use a stolen credit card to make purchases just to get the commission.  When the stuff arrives I either throw it away or put it on Ebay.  Shame is most of what I advertise is rubbish, I mean who would want it?
    
    Maybe I should write an iPad hub.  I'd like one of those.
    
    Anyway - I hope that's acceptable?  Probably some busy body will say it's not.

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11. 84

    camloposted 12 years ago

    A couple of times I've wanted to click on something, the page has scrolled of its own accord (probably because it wasn't fully loaded), and I've ended up clicking on a Google ad instead of what I'd intended to click on. Of course, I clicked the back button immediately (in complete panic), but I'm pretty sure it makes no difference - I have still clicked on my own ad ...
    But, if I understand correctly (and I hope I do), our accounts are assessed monthly, and such invalid (accidental) clicks (earnings) deducted.

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    1. 81

       Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, the odd accidental click is no problem.  It happens millions of times.  There is no income either, Adsense just ignores it.  Imagine how many people are writing, creating websites and clicking on slow pages that suddenly refresh in the wrong places.  It must be a lot.
       
       Still is scary when you do it though!

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