Have you ever clicked on a sponsored link when googling something? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people do it every day. Google sponsored link ads are the advertisements that appear at the top or bottom of the search results page, marked with a small “Ad” label. They are paid by advertisers who want to reach potential customers based on their search queries. However, not all Google ads are trustworthy or legitimate. Some of them are run by scammers who use deceptive tactics to lure you into clicking their links.
In this article, we explain why you should beware of clicking sponsored links. We go over:
- What are Google ads and how do they work?
- How to identify sponsored links in Google search results.
- The common types of Google ad scams and how they operate.
- The risks and consequences of clicking sponsored links.
- How to report and block misleading Google ads.
- How to improve your online security and privacy when using Google search.
When we are done, you will have a better understanding of the dangers and pitfalls of sponsored links and how to protect yourself from them. You will also learn how to use Google Search more safely and responsibly, without compromising your online experience.
What are Google Ads and How Do They Work?
Google Ads is an online advertising platform that allows you to reach potential customers who are searching for products or services related to your business. You can create ads that appear on Google’s search engine, as well as on other websites and platforms that partner with Google. One of the main features of Google Ads is that it operates under a pay-per-click (PPC) mode. This means that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, not when your ad is shown. You can set a budget and a goal for your advertising campaign.
Google Ads offers various types of ads that can suit different goals and audiences. The type we are dealing with in this article is search ads.
How to Identify Sponsored Links
Sponsored links are usually easy to spot, as they have a small “Ad” label next to them. However, some scammers may try to hide or disguise this label or use other tricks to make their ads look more like organic results.
Organic results are the natural links that appear on Google’s search results page based on their relevance and quality. They are not influenced by any payment or compensation. They are usually more trustworthy and reliable than sponsored links, as they have to meet Google’s standards and guidelines. However, some users may not be able to tell the difference between organic and sponsored links, especially if the scammers use similar domain names, logos, or colors as the legitimate websites they are impersonating.
To identify sponsored links in Google search results, you should always look for the “Ad” label, which is usually located at the top left corner of the link. You should also check the URL of the website before clicking on it, and make sure it matches the name and description of the link. If the URL looks suspicious or unfamiliar, you should avoid clicking on it.
Another way to identify sponsored links in Google search results is to look for the rel attribute in the HTML code of the link. The rel attribute is used to indicate the nature and purpose of the link. For example, rel=“sponsored” means that the link was created as part of an advertisement, sponsorship, or other compensation agreement. Similarly, rel=“ugc” means that the link was created by user-generated content, such as a comment or a forum post. You can view the HTML code of a link by right-clicking on it and selecting “Inspect” or “View page source”.
Common Types of Google Ad Scams and How They Operate
There are many types of Google ad scams that target different kinds of users and goals. Some of the most common ones are:
The fake tech support scam: This scam involves creating fake ads that claim to offer tech support for various issues, such as virus infections, software errors, or account problems. The ads redirect the users to a bogus website or phone number, where they are asked to provide their personal information, payment details, or remote access to their devices. The scammers then use this information to steal your money, identity, or data.
The phishing scam: This scam involves creating fake ads that mimic legitimate websites or services, such as banks, online shops, or social media platforms. The ads redirect the users to a fake website that looks identical to the real one, where they are asked to log in with their credentials or enter their payment details. The scammers then use this information to access the users’ accounts or make fraudulent transactions.
The malware scam: This scam involves creating fake ads that offer free downloads, updates, or scans for various software or applications. The ads redirect the users to a malicious website that infects their devices with harmful software, such as ransomware, spyware, or keyloggers. The scammers then use this software to lock the users’ devices and demand money to unlock them, steal their data and passwords, or monitor their online activity.
The counterfeit goods scam: This scam involves creating fake ads that sell fake or low-quality products at very low prices. The ads redirect the users to a fake online shop that looks legitimate and trustworthy, where they are asked to pay with their credit cards or other methods. The scammers then either send nothing at all, send a different or defective product, or charge more than what was agreed upon.
The fake reviews scam: This scam involves creating fake ads that promote products or services with fake or paid reviews. The ads redirect the users to a fake review website that looks credible and unbiased, where they are shown positive reviews and testimonials from supposed satisfied customers. The scammers then use these reviews to influence the user’s opinions and persuade them to buy their products or services.
Risks of Clicking Sponsored Links
While some sponsored links may be relevant and useful, others may be misleading, deceptive, or harmful. Clicking on sponsored links can expose you to various risks and consequences that can affect your online experience and well-being. Some of these risks and consequences are:
Malware and viruses: Some sponsored links may lead you to websites that contain malicious software that can infect your device, compromise your security, steal your personal information, or damage your files. Malware can also slow down your device, cause pop-ups or redirects, or hijack your browser settings. To avoid this risk, you should always use a reputable antivirus program and be careful about clicking on unfamiliar or suspicious links.
Scams: Some sponsored links may lure you into scams that can cost you money, lead to identity theft, or harm your reputation. For example, some sponsored links may offer you free trials, prizes, or discounts that require you to provide your credit card information or personal details. However, these offers could be fake or have hidden fees or terms that can result in unauthorized charges or identity theft. To avoid this risk, you should always research the legitimacy and reputation of an advertiser and its offer before providing any sensitive information or making any payments.
Misinformation and bias: Some sponsored links may present you with inaccurate, incomplete, or biased information that can influence your opinions, decisions, or actions. For example, some sponsored links may promote products or services that are not safe or are unethical. They may also omit important facts or evidence that contradict their claims or interests. To avoid this risk, you should always verify the source and credibility of the information and compare it with other reliable sources before trusting or acting on it.
Privacy and tracking: Some sponsored links may collect and use your personal data without your consent or knowledge. For example, some sponsored links may use cookies or other technologies to track your online behavior, preferences, or location. They may also share your data with third parties for advertising or other purposes. This can compromise your privacy and expose you to unwanted ads and spam. To avoid this risk, you should use tools such as ad blockers or private browsing modes to limit the data collection and tracking by sponsored links.
How to Report and Block Fraudulent or Misleading Google Ads
If you encounter a Google ad that you think is fraudulent, misleading, or inappropriate, you can report it to Google. Reporting an ad does not mean that you will no longer see ads, but it will help Google remove bad ads from its network.
To report an ad on Google services, such as Search and YouTube:
- On the ad, click the three dots to open the menu.
- Select “Report ad”.
- On the “Report an ad” page select “An ad violates other Google Ads policies”.
- Fill out the form with the required details and submit it.
To report an ad on sites and apps that partner with Google:
- On the ad, select “Close”.
- Select “Why this ad?”.
- Select “Report ad”.
- On the “Report an ad” page, select “An ad violates other Google Ads policies”.
- Fill out the form with the required details and submit it.
If you want to block an ad that you don’t want to see again, you can also do that with a few clicks. Blocking an ad does not mean that you will see fewer ads, but it will help Google show you more relevant ads.
To block an ad on Google services, such as Search and YouTube:
- On the ad, click the three dots to open the menu.
- Select “Block ad”.
To block an ad on sites and apps that partner with Google:
- On the ad, select “Close”.
- Select “Stop seeing this ad”.
- Select an appropriate reason and confirm.
How to Improve Your Online Security and Privacy When Using Google Search
Google search is a powerful and useful tool that most of us use for finding information and answers online. However, it also comes with some risks. Here are some steps that you can take to Google more safely.
uBlock Origin: This is a powerful and efficient ad blocker that blocks ads, trackers, malware domains, and more.
Privacy Badger: This is a privacy tool that learns to block invisible trackers and stops them from spying on you.
Use “Safe Browsing”. “Safe Browsing” is a feature that protects you from malicious websites, downloads, and extensions that may harm your device or data. It also warns you about phishing or deceptive sites that may try to steal your personal information or identity. Note that it is called “Safe Browsing” in Google Chrome. In Mozilla Firefox it is called “Enhanced Tracking Protection” and in Microsoft Edge, it is “Tracking prevention”.
Use “Enhanced Safe Browsing” to take things a step further. Enhanced Safe Browsing is a feature that provides an extra level of security while browsing the web. It uses proactive and real-time data from Google to block or warn you about more threats than standard Safe Browsing. It also helps you avoid risky downloads and extensions. On Firefox it is the “Strict” option under “Enhanced Tracking Protection” and on Edge, it is “Strict” under “Tracking prevention”.
Always use a reputable antivirus program. This will help protect you from malware. Make sure to keep your virus definitions up to date.
Be careful about clicking on unfamiliar or suspicious links. They could lead you to malware, scams, or having your identity stolen.
Research the legitimacy and reputation of the advertiser and the offer. This will help you avoid falling victim to scams and identity theft.
Sponsored links are not as harmless as they may seem. They can pose various threats and challenges such as privacy breaches, cyberattacks, deception, manipulation, and more. Therefore, you should be cautious about clicking sponsored links. By following these tips, you can make the most of Google search without compromising your online security and privacy. Share this post on social media and spread the word about the dangers of sponsored links.