Google's Fraud Squad Battles Phantom Clicks July 20th

is running an article on the past, present and future problem known to search-sponsorship providers as ‘click fraud’. [Article found through Slashdot]

The practice, known as “click fraud,” began in the early days of the Internet’s mainstream popularity with programs that automatically surfed Web sites to increase traffic figures. This led companies to develop policing technologies touted as antidotes to the problem. But some marketing executives estimate that up to 20 percent of fees in certain advertising categories continue to be based on non-existent consumers in today’s search industry.

Looking at poocs’ still single-digit Google-ad clicks we’re not affected thus far.