Unusual Ways to Identify and Reduce Click Fraud
The problem with eradicating click fraud is first to identify and track samples of possible fraud. The scale to which this happens internationally drains the operating capital (pay per click spending) from advertisers sitting around 30{6c9d5816712c9c65c229a3195be2b8d16b623769bbe6f8f24277f4bc7884bc20}. There is a reason why search engines are investing so much time and effort to find a solution.
Search Engines and other pay-per-click program providers have attempted to curb the growing click fraud problem by introducing IP address repetition algorithms. These formulae should pick up on suspicious click patterns emanating from a specific IP address, which may uncover the existence of click farms and competitor-led sabotage and identify potential fraudsters at the source.
Very tricky proposition
Because every new online session generates a unique IP Address, fraudsters can bypass any checks implemented using a dial-up modem, DSL, or cable modem. An array of issues happen when attempting to spot fraudsters. Furthermore, there’s an in-depth range of software available to change IP addresses, often used for ‘cheating’ the algorithm. Cookie and session tracking are other methods by which search engines can plan to uncover potentially fraudulent activity, but there are ways around these for the fraudsters.
Companies are developing more sophisticated software that can profile and report the browsing behavior habits of click-throughs for suspicious activity. Considering that the software might be intrusive and ineffective as it can still miss any small-scale fraud, the grand scheme of the extensive web coverage casting a wider net is necessary.
Google offers $90 Million in potential settlement to a class-action lawsuit filed regarding the click fraud. Perhaps Google’s acceptance of their responsibilities suggests the vast cost to the economy that click fraud is causing.
Automatic Click Fraud Protection
Unusual solutions for the future
What steps, if implemented, can keep an organization out of trouble. One remedy is to reply more on program optimization and organic listings. A well and fully optimized site could realize a ranking that other websites will be paying $2.50 a click or more. With organically high rankings websites, there’re no click-through rates, so the prices related to PPC aren’t applicable. However, the process is significantly more involved and takes substantially longer to see results. Eventually, the SEO process is cheaper. With an estimated 25-30{6c9d5816712c9c65c229a3195be2b8d16b623769bbe6f8f24277f4bc7884bc20} of all clicks being fraudulent, an organically high listing can lessen the economic drain by click fraud for more beneficial reinvestment.
Every year as the pay per click advertising market continues to grow; you can expect that click fraud will not subside. With no preventive means deployed to prevent click fraud, buyers will start to lose confidence. A solution must be found soon, or sellers will look for other venues to promote their business, seriously impacting the web’s economy.
