When Will They Learn? Yet Another Video Game Law Declared Unconstitutional

Does Yahoo Have An Adware Clickfraud Problem?

from the something-of-a-mess dept

Tue, Apr 4th 2006 2:23am — Mike Masnick

Just as Google's CEO is somehow magically claiming that the company can prevent clickfraud (which, of course, is being received skeptically), Ben Edelman has taken a look at Yahoo's relationship to the spyware/adware world -- and how clickfraud associated with those relationships may be scamming advertisers out of plenty of money. Yahoo's close relationship with adware vendors is no secret. There's even been talk about investigating Yahoo for its relationship with adware, including the fact that so much of Claria's old adware business was closely linked to Yahoo -- so much so that Yahoo's anti-spyware toolbar for a time ignored Claria (noting all of this, by the way, it should be no surprise that with Claria's sudden change of heart, the first big partner they signed up was -- you guessed it -- Yahoo). However, the problem seems to be getting worse in some ways. Edelman has discovered that a number of newer adware products that use ads from Yahoo are also building their software to pretend that the ad is clicked when it pops up. The details are a bit complex, but basically, plenty of advertisers may be getting charged for clicks that never occurred on un-targeted ads from software they didn't realize they were advertising on -- all because they thought they bought some targeted search advertising. Edelman notes that this is going to continue to be a problem for Yahoo, unless they are much more active in monitoring who is using their ads while at the same time beefing up their own systems for catching clickfraud early and often.

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10 Comments

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moujis, 4 Apr 2006 @ 6:20am

All search engines have their own methods of cheating advertisers, if I were one I'd trust none.
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- Anonymous Coward, 4 Apr 2006 @ 7:22am
  
  Re:
  If you were one youd be cheating your clients just like they do.
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  - Anonymous marsupial, 4 Apr 2006 @ 8:32am
    
    I think he means if he were an advertiser, not if he were a search engine dude. I've pretty much had it with yahoo ads after 3 months. They all click-fraud but my bottom line is google was better. Your mileage may vary.
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Apr 2006 @ 9:05am

Oh well - don't have much sympathy for those who try to shove pop-up ads down my throat. Maybe it's just poetic justice :)
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Nano Tech, 4 Apr 2006 @ 10:18am

Yahoo cowardly sells out - Truth betold
People this is not the KGB!
They are a corporation who is obviously blinded by what
is more important to the upper echelon Money!

The people who don't see the bigger picture! Who will never see the bigger picture! Who ignore the bigger picture, have no moral obligation. Only GREED.
The bigger picture? People who have access to the internet. Fed up with all the garbage of PopUps, Spyware and Adware.
Normal people who's interest is to learn, enhance and enjoy the world, in PEACE.
Sadly this is seen by Corporations upper and middle management all over the WORLD!
They would rather make us all mad because they think or know NOTHING will be DONE.
We need advocates, leadership!
The internet was never intended to buy,sell or solicit. It may have initially been intended for military purpose.
But that changed when some in academia became interested in the ability to bring forth their idea's, communicate and educate!
Sad!
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Apr 2006 @ 10:18am

the point is that people are paying yahoo to advertise, and their ad is being shown on popups. they dont know their link is being used on a popup, even though they're paying for it.
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No One Inparticular, 4 Apr 2006 @ 11:19am

God Dam Republicans
It's the current adminastration that's to blame. Their total lack of knoledge about technology makes me sick. I bet bush cant even turn a computer on!!!!!
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Duh Bush is a M0r0n, 4 Apr 2006 @ 11:51am

Obviously it is Bush. And no of course he cannot turn a computer on.
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- Red White and blue, 4 Apr 2006 @ 1:02pm
  
  Re:
  Hey,
  Liberal Dumbasses, learn to spell. The word is "knowledge"; obviously something you lack.
  
  You guys blame the President. Would you really rather have the government step in an set up more rules for our use of the internet?!
  
  If so, YOU are the moron.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 4 Apr 2006 @ 7:37pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Damn Straight
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