Opentracker releases search by ip reporting to combat click-fraud

Search by ip reporting released to coincide with industry reports of increased click-fraud, costing advertisers up to $800 million per year

July 11, 2006

Opentracker Communications Department

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands - Opentracker announces the release of a search-by-ip reporting feature. This is a report which allows webmasters to see when a visit was made to their site from any ip address.

Using the new tool, webmasters can see the entire recorded history of all visits made from any ip address.

The feature was built in response to requests from webmasters who are interested in combating click-fraud. Using the report, it is possible for webmasters to demonstrate that the same visitor may have clicked numerous times on links or banners to their reports. In many cases, webmasters and web site owners are charged for every visit through their cost-per-click (cpc) campaigns.

Although estimates vary, it is agreed that a damaging percentage of internet traffic and pay-per-click (ppc) campaign clicks are fraudulent. Technology columnists often cite figures in the hundreds of millions of dollars in lost advertising revenue. A widely cited 2006 report puts the percentage close to 15%, and the losses at $800 million.

The companies who sell clicks, i.e. Google, MSN, Yahoo, Kanoodle, and Looksmart, often recognize third-party documentation, and will issue refunds when click-fraud is demonstrated.

This new feature, combined with the ability to detect when "fake" or automated traffic is purchased instead of real humans, makes Opentracker a formidable tool in the escalating battle against click-fraud.

Opentracker went online in February 2003 and has rapidly become a leading contender in website analytics, now an essential tool in online marketing. The company is based in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Media queries can be directed to: press@opentracker.net