Gaming Google

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I wrote back in 2006 about how some affiliates were using Google Ad Scheduling to daypart their ads to run campaigns in off hours that violate the terms and conditions of affiliate programs.

Well, it looks like affiliate programs aren’t the only ones being gamed by the use of Google Ad Scheduling.

The AdWords results in Google are being compromised on evenings and weekends, too.

Here is an example from about 11:00 PM EST on Sunday, January 20, 2008 where the same affiliate has the same ad running with different URLs in all eight AdWords slots for the term “ringtones.”

I checked the same keyword search on Google at about 9:30 AM EST on Monday, January 21, 2008 and the ad that previously dominated was nowhere to be seen.

Time to come back from the long weekend, Google. Game on.