Onlin [e] Guid [e]

We ofter hear that google has a very sophisticated system for detecting click frauds. Now, Google does not ban your account immediately. First, it flags your account. Then, it keeps a closer look on the suspected adsense account. Then if it finds something fishy, it deletes the account. In some cases, it sends a warning message, but in some cases it does not do so! So, in this post I'll be sharing some of the ways in which Google detects Click Frauds (or Invalid Clicks)

1. IP Address
It is the easist and must be recognized by everyone. If the clicks on your ads originate from the same IP Address as the one used for accessing your AdSense account, your account is flagged.

2. Click Through Rate (CTR)
Normally, Click through Rate should not excees 10%. Otherwise, Google will flag your account. FYI, normal CTR ranges between 0.5% - 10%.

3. Physical Location
Google has good tracing software and technology.They can trace traffic origin down to the small towns. So, using different computers with different IP addresses does not cover the click fraud. So, don't try to click your ads in various internet cafes. That will kill you.

4. Cookies
Most home users do not use static IP Address for Internet connection. In most cases just disconnect and reconnect will give you a new IP Address. But don't forget, Google has set cookies on your computer. They can trace these cookies and see whether they originate from the same computer.

5. Click Pattern 1
It is also suspicious when people click on their clicks and then run away immediately (hit-and-run). But normally, people will surf for a while inside your pages and then click on the ads they want.

6. Click Pattern 2
Why is this computer / IP address / person is so trigger-click-happy on this particular website but never click on the ads on other sites?

7. Click Pattern 3
And why is it that people accessing these sites direct (type-in URL or from bookmark) tend to be very active ad-clickers compared with those referred from search engine or other sites?

8.Other Google Services
Apart from Google Adsense, Google also provide a series of services to us. Don't just think that it is safe if you do not log in your adsense account and click on your ads. What other services do they provide us? Here are some: Gmail (damn popular email service), Google Earth, Google Calendar, Google Search, Google Toolbar, Google Talk, Google Sitemap, Google Desktop, Blogger, or even Youtube (Google acquired it!).

9. Search Engine Ranking
Your website is not indexed on any search engine, not linked by any prominent website, but get consistently high traffic? How come people can access your website and click your ads? That will make Google to smell a rat.

10. Webpage design
How about the "Please click a link below" or "donate us by clicking the ads"? These kinds of encouragement is not in line with Google's TOS. Google can use their winning search engine, or even human eyes to check your sites from time to time.

11. Advertisers conversion rate
Ad click is one thing. But does it bring value to the advertisers? If none of the clicks on your site translate to conversion to the advertiser, you are in trouble. First the Smart-Pricing hits, then your AdSense account disabled.