Hi,

I tried to look through the forum but it is HUGE! This is my problem:

I have a pretty well kept Adsense site in Spanish. Today I got a letter from Google saying that my account is under investigation.

Since Sunday, I started to recieve an unusual amount of clicks on my ads (spanish site), is it possible that my competitor which is located in Spain according to his IP (I've had problems with him before) could be hitting on my ads like crazy from the same IP in order to get me banned?

Thanks for your comments.

From the same IP? Unlikely. They would see through it.

If you are using Wordpress there are some Adsense click fraud protection plugins you can use. Don't know if/or which is good so you have to google for them.

I am certain that there are solutions even if you aren't using Wordpress.

Thanks a0rta, but no, I'm not using WordPress...

Just a regular .php site.

Have you replied to them yet? If not then I would recommend dropping them a line. Just with something like... thank you blah blah blah. I did notice an extra large amount of clicks on the past couple of days.. blah blah blah...... are you able to confirm if this is the reason why my account is being investigate blah blah....

at least this will show an acknowledgement that you have seen suspicious activity on your account as well.

Has Google expanded on why you are under investigation?

If your competitor is hitting on your ads from one IP then send Google the log of these hits.

They might be able to trace the IP to your competitor.

Just be completely up front with them. Promise them to help in any way you can. Even tell them that you suspect your competitor and promise to return any commissions that they suspect.

If you are legit, you should be ok. Although i have heard some ugly stories.

best,
Rudy

There is a problem with the big G. Because there are so many adsense accounts out there, appeals can be slow in reply. It can be a hassle as well. However, if your livelihood or the bulk of your online earnings are from there, then maybe take the trouble and give them a call. Call because you definitely will get someone to talk to. If you send them an email, it may be 2009 before it gets read.

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I am dont know your earnings, however if they are high maybe you should start making plans for all your sites to switch to a different advertiser short term, until the issue is resolved with google.

I say this because the last thing you want is for your account to get banned a coup-le of days before payday and you lose a full months earnings.

Firstly, make sure you follow up with "G" although as noted earlier that can take bit of time for replies but my experience is that they usually do reply. You need to understand "why" you are being investigated and not assume. You also need to research your website logs to see where the new increased clicks are coming from. There aren't many trackers out there anymore since G started blocking the info from clicks but a quick search might turn up something. A good one that used to be free was Adlogger but I don't know if you can still find it as it's no longer supported.

weird.. they usually just ban your adsense.. no investigator will review it..

Thanks guys... the problem was solved surprisingly fast by the big G.

It was made clear that the unusual hits I was receiving was an attempt to get my account cancelled. What an idiot my competitor was... he tried to pull his stunt for 6 days and I think got banned himself.

Lol nice thats funny how the tables turned on him