How to Stop Fake Clicks in Google Ads

Are you worried about spammy fake clicks in your Google Ads campaigns? You're not alone. Many advertisers face the challenge of distinguishing between genuine clicks and those generated by bots or uninterested users.

In this article, I will guide you through effective strategies to reduce fake and spammy clicks in your Google Ads campaigns, ultimately helping you optimize your ad spend and increase your ROI.

Why I Don’t Use Bot Blockers

Before we dive into the strategies, I want to address a common question: Do I recommend using spam or bot blockers like ClickCease? The answer is no, and here’s why:

1. Over-Aggressive Banning: These programs often rely on IP bans reported by other users. Over-aggressive banning can lead to legitimate potential customers being blocked, especially if other users are too quick to ban IPs. This can result in missed opportunities and potential revenue loss.

2. VPN Users: Many legitimate users utilize VPNs for various valid reasons. Systems like ClickCease frequently block VPNs, which can exclude a significant number of genuine users from seeing your ads.

I've tested this extensively. Across four accounts with a combined ad spend of over $200k a month, turning off ClickCease and implementing better practices led to improved performance month over month. Proper campaign management and optimization can effectively reduce fake traffic without the need for third-party apps.

Four Strategies to Limit Fake Clicks

To reduce fake clicks, focus on optimizing your Google Ads campaigns. Here are four actionable strategies:

1. Implement reCAPTCHA V3 on Your Website

Start by adding reCAPTCHA V3 to your website. This simple action can significantly reduce spammy leads. In my experience, I’ve seen spammy leads drop by over 75% just by adding reCAPTCHA V3. It’s easy to implement, and you can find detailed instructions on the official reCAPTCHA website.

2. Use the Correct Location Settings

Proper location settings can prevent unwanted clicks from outside your target area. For service-based businesses, it’s crucial to only target users who are physically present in your service area.

To do this, go to Campaign Settings > Locations > Location Settings and select "Presence" only. This ensures that only users who are actually in your targeted locations will see your ads, reducing irrelevant traffic and potential spam clicks.

3. Use Stronger Ad Copy to Refine Your Traffic

Your ad copy plays a significant role in attracting the right audience. Here’s how to refine your traffic through effective ad copy:

• Clarify Your Offering: Clearly state what your service or product is.
• Specify Your Audience: Indicate who is best suited for your product or service. For example, if you offer B2B services, make that clear.
• Mention Pricing: If applicable, include starting prices (e.g., "Prices Starting From $99 a month").
• Include a Call to Action: Let potential customers know what to do next (e.g., "Call Now" or "Fill out an online quote").

By pre-qualifying your audience in your ad copy, you can attract more relevant clicks and reduce the chances of attracting uninterested users.

4. Use Google Ads Reporting and Segmentation

Manually review your traffic using the reporting and segmentation functions in Google Ads. Analyze your data to identify non-performing keywords, locations, and ad copies that are not converting. By regularly reviewing and adjusting your campaigns based on performance data, you can minimize wasteful spending and focus on high-converting traffic.

Conclusion

Managing your Google Ads campaigns effectively can significantly reduce fake clicks and improve your ROI. By implementing reCAPTCHA V3, using correct location settings, refining your ad copy, and utilizing Google Ads reporting tools, you can ensure that your ad spend is directed towards genuine, high-quality traffic. Skip the bot blockers and invest in smart optimization practices to get the most out of your Google Ads campaigns.

For a comprehensive guide on optimizing your Google Ads campaigns, download my Google Ads Optimization Checklist.

This checklist will help you ensure that you’re not missing any important steps in your campaign management process.

Stay ahead of the competition and make every click count!