29 replies to this topic

[lumpy55]

Soooo...

You've heard it before. You've seen it before. But has anyone ever admitted it?

Yep, put a slew of Google adsense ads on my websites (3) 30 days ago (to the day)

Cheated like hell, and got booted.

Now before you say how idiots like me deserve it; how dumbarses like me are screwing it up for everybody; blah, blah, blah... Look in the mirror, because I highly doubt there's one single publisher standing that didn't have somebody click, or go to a different computer, or didn't somehow, some way, at some minuscule level, cheat. But I'm sure some will get their tiny little anonymous cyberkicks out of beating a dead horse, so be it. Man up.

Here's what I did - just so the other idiots like me may learn.

I didn't take long, and it didn't take much.

History. 30 days (exact). 20,000 pageviews (rounded). 2,000 clicks (rounded). $475.00 to date. 3 websites combined, avg. 175 unique visitors/day. Avg. $16.00 a day. No big deal I'm a thinkin'.

Put 3 ad boxes on 100 pages or so, total. I made it tough for a visitor to navigate his way out of the page (small "home" button). I was thinking they may click on an ad or something to try to get out.

I never, ever clicked on an ad from the computer I logged into adsense with. Ever, not once. Not anybody's Adsense ad. INot any computer in the house. In fact, I only clicked ads a few times over the 30 days from friends computers, maybe 20 clicks total. You know, hey Joe, can I borrow your computer to check my e-mails? haha.

I had 3 Homies in three different States across the country clicking 5 - 10 clicks a day each, the rest were natural from web traffic. Seemed perfectly normal for a bookmarked page to get a few clicks from the same 3, right? Seemed normal to me. I do it on other sites....

All ads went white - I still haven't received the e-mail, but I am locked out of logging into Adsense.

Just so somebody might actually stop, and think before you try it. I read about all the holy roller cyber freaks that said don't cheat it (but what do those skinny necked, pocket penciled geeks really know). I read about ip trackers, Google bombing (which I'm going to do to a competitor next, see if I can't get him locked out), and about a hundred articles on how you will get caught. Ya' know, must've been that thick skulled brain of mine that went temporarily insane for 30 days thinkin' I could somehow, someway scam the system.

A couple things I did notice. When any of the Homies hit the clicks, the avg ppc went down to sub .10. If regular traffic was hitting it, I could have 25 clicks for $10. My Homie's 30 clicks would be worth less than half that. I can also say, right up until the moment a pink box showed up and said "your payment is in hold status", or something like that, everything was just perfect. Once the pink box showed up, it was minutes later the websites ads went white.

Word to the wise - really - take it from a greedy idiot

Big Brother IS watching

**UPDATE** I got the e-mail from Google. I'll post it in a reply to this thread, not here...

Edited by lumpy55, 29 November 2007 - 04:32 PM.

[ukdaz]

I'm a Limey, so forgive my lack of knowledge but what on earth is a "homie".... ???

[lumpy55]

Homie: websters N, somebody that will do your dirty work for you, a friend, an associate

[holga]

Daz, I believe a "homie" is a friend or mate, in "gangsta" language.

Edited by holga, 28 November 2007 - 06:23 AM.

[lumpy55]

By the way, thanks for being the first person to reply and not call me an idiot! All after the first reply don't count....

[cre8pc]

greedy idiot

The only thing worse than a "greedy idiot" is one who believes everyone else is one too.

Your post outlines for everyone what not to do and assumes that everyone who uses AdSense plays the system.

I must be the real idiot because gaming the system just never occurred to me.

[yannis]

If I hear you correctly the genuine clicks were plus minus worth $300 or so. I personally think you are in the minority in that you wanted to beat the system. If you would have put your 'homies' to help you build content and links maybe the traffic would have been up and hit the $450 in any case.

I think its great you came out here and told us about it as there is a lesson to be learnt. Come in afterhours and introduce yourself and give us some more details about your work.

Yannis

[sally@cc]

I just wanted to say thank you for your honesty, it takes a brave person to stand up and say I did it wrong but want to warn others.

I am quite new to this forum but within 24 hours got the message loud and clear, be honest and be genuine with Big Brother. However I do appreciate your re-inforcement of this message.

Sally

[ukdaz]

ooohhhhh its "gangsta".... ah well at 34 I must be getting old!

Daz

[lumpy55]

[

The only thing worse than a "greedy idiot" is one who believes everyone else is one too

Hmmmmm, let's see....

Rather odd you're in adsense, and not for the money......

You must be the only one! Rather "worse" I'd say...

[cre8pc]

We don't participate in AdSense here, after the latest fiasco with "nofollow" and paid links. AdSense doesn't play well with other types of advertising and when you're trying earn money, why limit yourself to just Google?

As to gaming the system, to each their own. Every time someone exploits page rank/link pop or falsely inflates ad clicks, search engines turn around and slap new rules to tighten the noose. In the case of Google, they've been so annoying that many people are moving on.

Question is, what else works and is "easy" money?

PS - Our revenue here has been donated to support education in the Search Marketing industry, so if we're "greedy", it's been for a good cause.

[JohnMu]

Cheating Adsense is absolutely a bad idea.

Kim, seeing that you've dropped Adsense here, how about starting a donation drive? Seeing that the money is being put to good use, I'm sure lots of people would love to give you all a little end-of-year donation.

John

[AbleReach]

Question is, what else works and is "easy" money?

Huh?

Well, when I was a kid and my grandparents came to visit, my grandfather used to dole out quarters for having cleaned in unusual places. Don't get any ideas, bucko. I'm talking about under my bed, behind my desk, odd corners of the closet.

[kensplace]

I have clicked my own adsense ads before, by mistake..

But emailed google to tell them I did it by mistake, and they were fine.

I wish you could click your own ads from time to time, if they know your i.p address they should be able to discount those clicks,
after all, if you run a site about a topic, you are most likely highly interested in that topic (unless your just creating spam adsense sites) so therefore a ideal canditate for the ads on your own site.

I have lost count of the number of sites that missed out on a visit because I cant click on my own ads, and they didnt put in a visible url I could type in on the ad.........

[cre8pc]

Kim, seeing that you've dropped Adsense here, how about starting a donation drive?

ooooh, I have plans, trust me! :angel:

[rynert]

I have clicked my own adsense ads before, by mistake..

But emailed google to tell them I did it by mistake, and they were fine.

I wish you could click your own ads from time to time, if they know your i.p address they should be able to discount those clicks,
after all, if you run a site about a topic, you are most likely highly interested in that topic (unless your just creating spam adsense sites) so therefore a ideal canditate for the ads on your own site.

I have lost count of the number of sites that missed out on a visit because I cant click on my own ads, and they didnt put in a visible url I could type in on the ad.........

I echo that - always wandered why they could not just ignore clicks by my IP address, make my life easier!

Rather odd you're in adsense, and not for the money......

You must be the only one! Rather "worse" I'd say...

Not what Kim said - you can run Adsense - for the money - and stay within the guidelines provided by Google....

[lumpy55]

We don't participate in AdSense here, after the latest fiasco with "nofollow" and paid links. AdSense doesn't play well with other types of advertising and when you're trying earn money, why limit yourself to just Google?

As to gaming the system, to each their own. Every time someone exploits page rank/link pop or falsely inflates ad clicks, search engines turn around and slap new rules to tighten the noose. In the case of Google, they've been so annoying that many people are moving on.

Question is, what else works and is "easy" money?

PS - Our revenue here has been donated to support education in the Search Marketing industry, so if we're "greedy", it's been for a good cause.

Well... "easy money" exists I'm sure, just not with Adsense and me! I hear of people raking it in, the lure of easy money, sounds too good to be true and I'm sure most, if not all can relate, but! you can't win the lottery, unless you bought a ticket. Can't play in the NFL without a football, ya' know?

Seems to me, if they have the means to track all illegal click fraud, I wonder why they don't "devalue" the extra clicks, or ip's, or however it's being done... That would stop any type of cheating in its tracks. It would just be a matter of time before all click fraud would end. Game over. No need to do it, it's "devalued". Even I can see (and I have no crystal ball) Google is losing business to competitors over Adsense and Adwords.

Good luck with your Search Marketing Project - maybe you'll develop the first fool-proof program out there that doesn't kick everyone to the curb, deserving or not. Now, that would be "easy money"!

Lumpy55

Edited by lumpy55, 28 November 2007 - 10:05 PM.

[lumpy55]

Not what Kim said - you can run Adsense - for the money - and stay within the guidelines provided by Google....

Let's say you have an over zealous buddy... or some enemy... or your ex-wife ... anybody that clicks your ads on your website you publish.

You're out! And there's not a damn person you can talk to. Other than an appeal, that maybe you can win - 'till that "somebody hits you again! You're out!

And better yet, YOU get the e-mail saying YOU didn't abide by the rules and comitted click fraud or illegal clicks.

In my case, I'm guilty - but I can see a whole bigger problem than my bogus clicks

[Ron Carnell]

In my case, I'm guilty - but I can see a whole bigger problem than my bogus clicks

Of course you can. You essentially killed the goose that, over time, could have laid a whole lot of little golden eggs for you. It's only natural you would want to justify that in your own mind. You want it to be their problem, not yours.

Good luck with that.

[bobbb]

.. or some enemy... or your ex-wife ... anybody that clicks your ads on your website you publish.

I hear what that says. Add a competitor to that list.

I've read about it happening where a a competitor pays someone to cost you lots of money on your adwords. No fault of the publisher of course. Wonder how that is handled?

I guess a malicious person could cost you your adsense account too. There are people like that.
Wonder how that is handled too?