Should I get worried about Click Fraud?

So far I have only been using Google and Yahoo! PPC and only for ads on their search results - not their content networks.

I have been thinking of using the variety of other PPC engines out there. It seems to me though that since with many of those other engines someone is getting paid when people click on my ads (someone outside the actual PPC company that is) that click fraud would become a bigger problem.

First, am I correct in assuming that click fraud becomes a bigger problem when you advertise in places other than Google and Yahoo! search results?

Second, is there a good way to protect yourself from click fraud? I know that Gary posted in this forum about using your logs to identify click fraud and get credits from the PPC company. Does Google Analytics provide that sort of information or would I need tracking software that actually uses my logs?

Thanks for any help provided;
pm

I would always be concearned about Click Fraud.

Secondly I wouldn't assume just because Google and Yahoo are reputeable that they don't have problems with Click Fraud.

Both Networks have partner programs to display their ads.
Check out Google AdSense.

I had a problem on Yahoo Search Marketing where there was clearly click fraud going on. I documented and reported it highlighting log files. It took 3 attempts and a high level complaint for them to acknowledge there was a problem. I was shocked at how poorley they handled my case.

That being said, I preffer YSM to Google. You can try bidvertiser.com, they are ok. Kanoodle.com is another one.

There is a web site called clickreport.com that you can use to check for click fraud on your PPC terms.

The main thing is log file analysis and vigeelance. If something doesn't look right - eg a 1400% increase in one term only over night - something is up so check it out.

This is the value of having managed search engine marketing.

its an issue... its really hard to find a way to prevent click fraud.. i prefer organic way, and do some research before doing something to my site..

I wasnt assuming that G and Y would have less click fraud because they were more reputable. I was assuming that if I only advertised on the search engine results, not their content networks, that there would be less click fraud. Since no one stands to gain from clicking on my add in Google SERPS except Google...Well and I guess competitors who want me to spend wasted money...

Either way, has anyone used click report? I was looking into it and have seen some posts here mentioning it. But no one giving their accounts of actual use.

Also, does Google Analytics provide any way of catching click fraud?

Oh and while I am at the questioning. tstolber named a couple of good PPC engines. But are their certain PPC engines out there that are notorious for high rates of click fraud and should generally be avoided?

Thanks for all the help!
pm

When u advertise on Google you are also advertising on other sites - just look at the sites in my sigs they all display google adds.

I have used click report- its good. Like I said vigilance and stats monitoring!

Google Analytics could help but isnt meant for it.

Is that true? If I use Google Adwords but DE-Select the "Content Network" are my ads appearing in places other than the SERPS on google.com?

I had thought adsense was only populated by advertisers using Google's content-network.

I know that many experts will tell you to turn off the content network until you start acheiving good returns purely on the serp ads. I guess its harder to gauge results using both at the same time.

Click Fraud is out there, and you should be aware of it. You asked about ClickReport- I work for the company. If you would like to discuss click fraud, please send me an email.