Mobile Retargeting Fraud

Let’s look at fraud as an attempt to waste, steal, and divert advertisers’ budgets without providing actual results or mobile traffic. Fraudsters can affect at any stage of the process: click, impression, or install. Mobile retargeting fraud typically involves sophisticated technology that can mimic traffic, mask post-install data, user behavior, and steal attribution. There are many types of Mobile retargeting frauds; Let’s have a look:

Types of Retargeting Fraud

Click injection: This is a more serious form of click spam. This happens when a rogue app generates false clicks during app install. These rogue apps then receive install credit. Abnormal Click To Install Time (CTIT) can also detect this type of retargeting fraud.

Autoloading: The user is shown a misleading advertisement that causes it to load without his intention automatically. Usually, the download program is useless and harmful.

Install Fraud: In some cases, the imposters’ publisher may falsify installs that are of no value. This can be done through attribution scams, covert motives, or site retargeting. An attribution scam is when vendors get credit for an install they didn’t get with the last click. Secret Incent is when a publisher grants install rewards, resulting in low-value users.

Automatic redirects: Here, the user is redirected to a page that resembles a well-known and reputable site. This deceptive page is used to install steel or malware-sensitive data.

Bots: These are mobile rogue bots that run from servers and mimic actions. These include ad clicks, installs, and app interactions. Bots can also be launched from real mobile devices or malware located on the user’s device.

Inappropriate advertising: Most reputable mobile ad platforms do not allow offensive ads (nudity, profanity, drugs, etc.), but some advertisers deliberately hide these ads to avoid detection. This can negatively affect the user experience.

Crypto Miners: Even if cryptocurrency prices are well below their peak, scammers are placing ads containing JavaScript code to mine the cryptocurrency. In smartphones of users, the processor and battery are discharged.

How to Check

To prevent mobile retargeting fraud, mobile marketers must first detect it. Many fraudulent activities can go unnoticed by the naked eye but can be easily spotted if a mobile marketer takes a close look at the data. Fortunately, these bots are not immortal, and there are strategies you can use to defend your campaign. Explore your advertising and retargeting services. One of the best preventative measures you can take to keep scammers from harming your budget is to check any third-party companies you use to assist in implementing your ad campaigns.

Exposing Mobile Retargeting Fraud

Mobile retargeting fraud can be detected and exposed in many ways. Before using the service, ask to meet with a representative in person or via video link if the distance is an issue. Talk to them about loyal clients they’ve had and maybe talk to them about their experience. In addition to this, also use online fact-checking resources.

How to Prevent

There are a number of fraud prevention tools available on the market, and businesses should also apply cost benchmarks and caps. It’s about being one step ahead. Fraud is definitely a key topic of conversation in the industry and will remain so as it evolves over time. The potential for fraudulent losses is too great to be ignored. The good news is that there are a number of fraud prevention tools available to help you better track fraud in your campaigns. You should work with trusted partners who can recommend anti-fraud platforms, and reliable sources of information are the key.

Conclusion

Ad fraud is a global problem, but it varies from region to region. The Asia-Pacific region is said to be particularly affected by app install fraud – 60% higher than the global total, and its most affected verticals are travel, finance, and shopping. It seems that games are better equipped right now to combat ad fraud and prevent it. Unfortunately, bad bots are widespread and can infiltrate every corner of the web. Your retargeting campaign isn’t immune to these scams, but research and vigilance can help you contain them.