What is click fraud?

Click fraud in mobile measurement refers to artificially inflating mobile app install or in-app event numbers by repeatedly clicking on ads or using automated scripts to simulate clicks. This kind of fraud can cause mobile marketers to overspend on their ad campaigns, as they are paying for fraudulent clicks rather than legitimate ones. Additionally, it can lead to inaccurate ad performance and user engagement data.

What are some types of click fraud?

Below is a list of some common click fraud types in mobile attribution.

• Automatic clicking uses automated scripts or bots that repeatedly click on ads.
• Manual clicking is done by individuals who manually click on ads multiple times to artificially inflate numbers.
• Competitor fraud is when a competitor of the advertiser clicks on their ads to drive up their costs.
• Self-clicking is an act of an advertiser or an employee of the advertiser clicking on their own ads to inflate their numbers.
• Device farms refer to a group of devices used to generate multiple clicks on ads, often done by fraudsters.
• Click injection is when a malicious app running on a device sends fake clicks to an ad, it's a type of mobile app fraud.

Mobile marketers should be aware of these types of click frauds and take steps to prevent them. Check out how marketers use Airbridge to fight against click fraud to protect their marketing budget.