I've just started a new google adwords campaign this afternoon for my hosting business.
I've been tracking it very closely. I use javascript tracking code on every page on my site.
I've had 1 visitor recorded with /?ref=google (my tracking link) to my site today.
Google says i've had 5 clicks...

Does this mean that they are requests from browsers with no javascript (e.g. automated attempts)?
This script is pretty reliable, and where i've had other links posted, its tracked them excellently.

So, is it google just stealing my money, or is it automated requests that don't have javascript?

I wouldn't say they are stealing your money, but I also find that some clicks don't show up in my logs... and of course, it costs me.

What I really hate, is waiting for Google to charge my credit card. Why can't they just let me pay my bill at the end... sheesh!

I wouldn't say they are stealing your money, but I also find that some clicks don't show up in my logs... and of course, it costs me.

What I really hate, is waiting for Google to charge my credit card. Why can't they just let me pay my bill at the end... sheesh!

Well, if you are also getting clicks that don't show up in the logs, i would say that they are stealing your money.
Do you know what I can do about it?

Well, if you are also getting clicks that don't show up in the logs, i would say that they are stealing your money.
Do you know what I can do about it?

I'm not sure what we can do, aside from contacting Google which I'm sure falls on dead ears.

I know right now that there is a law suit against Google relating to false AdWord clicks...

I'm not sure what we can do, aside from contacting Google which I'm sure falls on dead ears.

I know right now that there is a law suit against Google relating to false AdWord clicks...

I just remember that I also have a text file that is created for every visit to the site, and the page they were referred from. Just one from google.
That means they only sent one click my way.... whether it be automated or not.

Anything javascript based will not work if the browser does not have javascript enabled on, therefore preventing you from seeing your clicks (or legit. clicks).

Though, it is rather amusing. Google's getting sued because of the same subject.

You trust Google, only because of it's size, and because it's globally known (i'm persuming), you would never think Google would add a few clicks onto your account. You should contact them though, but be prepared for your account to be closed.

You might be intersted in reading about the current lawsuit

AIT vs. Google, over PPC fraud

Anything javascript based will not work if the browser does not have javascript enabled on, therefore preventing you from seeing your clicks (or legit. clicks).

Though, it is rather amusing. Google's getting sued because of the same subject.

You trust Google, only because of it's size, and because it's globally known (i'm persuming), you would never think Google would add a few clicks onto your account. You should contact them though, but be prepared for your account to be closed.

Why would they close your account? :confused:

You not alone - everybody who using ANY PPC systems including Overture, Adwords, Ah-ha and etc have same kind of issues - unless PPC systems will not start tracking only 1 click from 1 IP per 72 hours period of time - this will always like that ;)

You might be intersted in reading about the current lawsuit

AIT vs. Google, over PPC fraud

I looking forward to see what's happen - I wish they "press" Google to increase PPC fraud protection - at present day we loosing $1000's of every month and NEVER get any help from Google or Overture for duplicate clicks at etc.

Yeah... they need to control some things, it's getting out of hand!

Yeah... they need to control some things, it's getting out of hand!


Did someone say "Pitchforks"!! :gone:

Anything javascript based will not work if the browser does not have javascript enabled on, therefore preventing you from seeing your clicks (or legit. clicks).

Though, it is rather amusing. Google's getting sued because of the same subject.

You trust Google, only because of it's size, and because it's globally known (i'm persuming), you would never think Google would add a few clicks onto your account. You should contact them though, but be prepared for your account to be closed.

Javascript won't work- but the text file tracking will. Thats created by perl on the page that google links come in from.

You not alone - everybody who using ANY PPC systems including Overture, Adwords, Ah-ha and etc have same kind of issues - unless PPC systems will not start tracking only 1 click from 1 IP per 72 hours period of time - this will always like that ;)

Yes, I can understand that, but that still assumes that someone is clicking my ad- even if they've clicked it 10 times, or clicked on other peoples 10 times. So where are these 10 people on my site- even if they are the same person.

Well, i'm going to see what the second day of the campaign is like, and then decide whether to contact them or not.