Detecting Ad Fraud and the Use of Proxies

Detecting Ad Fraud and the Use of Proxies

News headlines overflow with stories on fake news, online privacy, and ad fraud. These issues also threaten the trust and support of ad-supported internet. These days it’s almost impossible to browse the web without seeing ads. Many websites also show display ads as part of their online monetization strategy. However, very few are aware of ad fraud and the negative implications for your brand, reputation, and overall business. So how can you make sure to weed out ad fraud and keep only the approved ads?

This article will cover ad fraud and a few warning signs to look out for. We’ll also look into ad verification and the role it plays. We’ll also be looking at proxies and how different types, like a private proxy vs. a rotating proxy, to see which will work better for your needs. Keep readings to discover more about ad fraud, the implications for your business, and how to remove fraudulent ads through ad verification and the use of proxies.

What Is Ad Fraud?

Ad fraud is a term that is often misleading as the process doesn’t only have to do with ads. It is a broad term to refer to any simulated traffic, click, or impressions made using fake accounts or bots. These techniques can be used to stuff website statistics and generate fake ad clicks, which the fraudsters get rewarded for. It’s also easier than ever before to create a fake site and run ad bots to ‘click’ on ads.

 

The landscape of ad fraud is continually evolving. As technology and software advance, so does ad fraud. As such, there is no single bulletproof way of getting rid of ad fraud. Those battling ad fraud must constantly adapt and upgrade their detection and prevention methods to stay ahead of the hackers and black hatters.

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Marketers should be aware of ad fraud because if you don’t detect and avoid these fraud forms, it could negatively impact your website. Ad fraud can have a major impact on your brand reputation, as well as your website optimization, context, viewability, and overall performance.

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Some of the techniques used in ad fraud include impression laundering, faking website traffic, and ad-click fraud.

Ad Fraud Warning Signs

There are a few ways that you can look out for ad fraud.

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No performance
Poor on-site analytics
Datacenter IP addresses
High CTR (click-through rates)
Suspicious site lists

The Importance of Ad Verification

Your brand is an extremely important asset. As such, you should be very aware of where and how you advertise. Since your advertising is an extension of your business, you should have a plan and audience in mind when using online ads. For example, you wouldn’t want your ads appearing on websites that feature illegal material.

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Some ad vendors will trick the system and place ads on unwanted websites. The resulting clicks from these unsavory websites can harm your brand. This is where ad verification comes into the picture.

What Is Ad Verification?

Simply put, ad verification is a service that determines if your ads are being displayed on the right websites, shown in the right way, and reach the targeted audience. Ad verification is also one of the most reliable ways to reduce the risk of running fraudulent ads.

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Numerous ad verification companies offer these services if you need a specialized approach. However, it is important to remember that this landscape is constantly changing. As a business owner, you’ll have to be hands-on and actively work with your chosen ad verification team to ensure any fraudulent ads are found and removed.

Using Proxies to Verify Ads

Proxies are a must for anyone wishing to verify ads, whether you’re an ad verification company or an individual trying to check your ads. This is because ad verification is a continuous process. If you verify ads and check websites using the same IP address, you may get banned. Many ad verification businesses rely on rotating proxies with vast IP pools.

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Many users are aware of private proxies that give users access to a dedicated IP address different from their own. Along with this, private proxies also have many other benefits such as control as only one user can use the account, increased browsing speed, and more. However, when it comes to verifying ads, a rotating residential proxy is best as it gives you access to a vast pool of residential IP addresses. Each request uses a new IP address from the pool, making it untrackable.

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Rotating proxies can also help users verify local ads easily. If you have a global audience and curate ads localized for each specific area you target, you need to verify those as well. By using a proxy to change your IP address and make it appear like you’re in the location of the local ad. Now you can easily verify the local ads as well.

Final Thoughts

Ad fraud can negatively affect your brand, reputation, and the way your website performs. Not many people are truly aware of ad fraud and may be victims of these attacks already. As such, it’s important for businesses to start looking into ad verification using proxies and monitor their ad strategies carefully.

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