true but that's not the issue right now. other lists aren't into account. there really isn't a bigger and known list than proxy.org right now. so they are the target. i have several people who own networks of proxies that haven't been affected by this. and i also have a lot of people who had their sites listed on proxy.org and received the Google email. So what does that tell you? i rather be safe than sorry at this point. If most of the issue is pointing to proxy.org then ill steer clear of them. the proof i see now is enough for me to make my own conclusions. 1) a lot of people with advertising spots are selling their slot and jumping ship. 2) a lot of people who advertise on proxy.org are coming forward with AdSense banning, suspensions and/or removing earnings. 3) both sides agree that there is a Bot attacking the list. 4) Baron is still taking money for those slots knowing very well whats going on. 5) there is an email here with proof that proxy.org is the target and that's why Google checking all the accounts associated with the proxy sites listed. that right there, is good enough for me. sorry i don't see how your common sense doesn't kick in but hey that's another thread.
A user I correspond with who goes by the name China, has said that he runs proxies, is not listed on proxy.org, and got the same email as everyone else.
I assure you that as soon as Google has completed their investigation I will post all relevant information. Unfortunately they are not in a position to release that information officially without a subpoena. Once thay tell me that they have completed the analysis and have the complete volume of data I will file suit and issue a subpoena for the data. In one sentence you ask for proff and in another you question the validity of the email that I have already posted. I am not sure how convinced you will be by any information not written on stone tablets and delivered by Angels. The following quote sums this entire problem up as neatly as I have seen:
"Based on the findings of our investigation into invalid activity on your account, we've deducted $495.89 from your account earnings." ...Almost all of my sites are listed on proxy.org. This day just keeps getting worse!
Its better to sue Adsense because they don't tell about detail of their investigation done. I asked 1) List of ip addresses which were involved in invalid click activity so that i can block them. 2) List of my sites on which invalid click activity happened. But adsense is not giving this information because they want to protect their proprietary detection systems. I think their proprietary detection systems are already failed otherwise they would have detected those botnet activities on real time or in next 15 days not after months. Even by giving answer to above two points there is no possibility that their proprietary detection systems would get any harm. Its very clear who is hiding crucial information .... i cannot no more believe in Adsense investigations blindly if the would not answer to my above two points. If they don't want to disclose details about invalid click activity on publishers accounts then they should not deduct money from their accounts too. I ask bloggers community to stand up and protest against Google's behavior. Because they have deducted huge amounts without giving any useful information to publishers to avoid this issue in future. If things keep on going that way then one day Google will turn into a complete Evil for small publishers.
it would take a lot to have Google even look at it. luckily i haven't had any money deducted yet. they could just be taking their sweet time to get to me but when and if they do , ill be pissed!
Struggle need to be start from some point. I believe publishers must be given useful information like ips and sites details to avoid invalid click activity to happen in future. But if Google will not give any information then publishers are insecure with Google. They can anytime fire you.
Google is not charging advertisers for spots on a site that has been exposed as the source (or at the very least the gateway) for invalid click traffic... that would be proxy.org.
thats how it works basically. theres never a gaurantee for safety with them. thats why you need to take action for yourself. Question: If adlogger would of been installed on a proxy listed on proxy.org ,would this have happened anyway? and a lot of people are saying the traffic from proxy.org has decreased big time. even for bold listings and top 10 spots. so something is being worked out or tweaked.
Its not true .. In adwords credit amounts are usually < $10/month but deductions from adsense account is in thousands. Even if Google returns money to advertisers it doesn't mean at all to treat publishers like Slave and feel no need to give information about IP addresses which were involved in invalid click activity and sites on which that activity happened. I have google analytics installed and never witnessed anything unusual and same in adsense account. {in analytics adsense click is set as goal} That's why i want detail of invalid click activity at least list of IP used by invalid clickers and my sites where it happened. I have couple of proxies which were neither listed in proxy.org or goodwaiter.com nor paid/free inclusion. Google deductions are way more than what earned from proxies. So its not a very simple equation. Adsense is hiding crucial information from publishers.
I'm quite fond of my daily earnings with adsense, I can't risk losing it. Everything i'm doing is compliant with them, so I hope everything goes peachy for my 1st Payout, which I Should reach today.
Mong though you are right on both the occasions about Adsense hiding crucial information from Publishers, there is little one can do about it. If something is to be done it will require a mass revolution of sorts (unfortunately i dont think thats ever gonna happen).
Like I said... I will subpoena the information and they will release it or be subject to contempt of court charges.
Yeah! i think you are on right track now. Adsense treated you same like me? But i think bloggers community should also understand the severity of the issue and should play active part in resolving it.
Totally agreed. I just got "fined" over $200 from adsense after their investigation for supposidly invalid clicks and: "In addition, because the amount of this deduction has exceeded your available account balance, we've placed your account on payment hold temporarily. Any outstanding earnings will roll over to the following month, so you'll be paid out in accordance with our normal payment cycle." I was looking forward to receiving my 1st ever cheque from adsense
lol, that's a joke how come your earnings coming from invalid clicks exceeded your total earnings ? this is hilarious joke from Google - make sure to contact them again and ask to escalate the matter to a supervisor or something I have been with Adwords for like 2 months and never got a penny back and this means they never return any money to advertisers
That message is no joke. It came directly from the manager of the click fraud team. It is the real deal...
I did not say it's fake or not true but just saying it doesn't make sense being "Fined" is not a good term - the guy didn't break the law for god's sake either he gets revenue for the legit clicks or at lease they take all his revenue but not making him owing them money in addition !