How to block VPN traffic on your Google Ads

Blocking VPN traffic on Google Ads is possible using a combination of geo-targeting, click fraud detection tools, and behavioral monitoring.

While Google Ads does not offer a direct VPN-blocking feature, advertisers can reduce VPN-based fraud by filtering suspicious traffic and using advanced protection tools.

The use of VPNs has become increasingly popular with each passing year. This is because there is a rise in privacy awareness, and everyone is learning to protect themselves online.

However, not all people using VPNs have good intentions; it can be used as a tool to harm your ad campaigns and cost you a lot of money. 

Let’s talk about how a VPN can affect your Google ad, how to block traffic from a VPN, and how to protect your revenue and business.

What is VPN traffic in Google Ads?

VPN means Virtual Private Network. A VPN is software that hides a computer system’s IP address.

That means VPN users can surf the internet anonymously because all data left on websites while surfing will not be traced or linked to them.

People have justifiable reasons for using VPNs these days, and, of course, some use them for malicious purposes.

Some people may want to hide their identity while browsing freely on the net if they live under an oppressive regime that hinders them from doing so.

Some other people may wish to deceive service providers, such as YouTube and Netflix, into believing they are accessing their services from a location different from their original location to gain full access. 

These are justifiable reasons for anyone to use a VPN, and it hardly poses a threat. However, due to the anonymity provided by VPN users, fraudsters have taken advantage of them to engage in various sinister activities.

These sinister activities include movie and music piracy, illegal pornography distribution, and other fraudulent activities like click fraud.

Is all VPN traffic fraudulent?

No, not all VPN traffic is fraudulent. We all know someone who uses a VPN for protection or discretion, which is why most people consider it an excellent tool for achieving real goals.

It is, but fraudsters would continue using the software to carry out their fraudulent activities.

Should you block VPN traffic on my Google ads?

As previously mentioned, not all VPN traffic is fraudulent or engaged in illegal activity, so the question of whether to block all VPN traffic is tricky. This is because some people genuinely worry about their online privacy.

Some feel uncomfortable with the amount of data required by most service providers, especially those from oppressive and invasive countries.

However, even though these people contribute to the number of genuine users, statistics show that most VPN users have malicious intent.

Note that your ad relies on people clicking and purchasing your goods and services. Those who click on your ad without purchasing your goods or services make you lose money.

It is essential to note that those using VPNs non-maliciously do so because of their concerns about online privacy. If they have such concerns about online privacy, they may have concerns about online purchases.

Anyone concerned about their online privacy is likely to have trouble sharing their bank details, address, name, phone number, and other personal information when making an online purchase.

In this case, it is safe to ban all VPN users. The potential damage caused by click fraud far outweighs the benefits that can come from a few VPN users’ legitimate views. It could be a tough call, but it is better to block them all out when the stakes are high. 

How do I block out VPN traffic on my Google Ad?

The best way to block out VPN traffic is through click fraud prevention software. This is because VPN users can change their IP addresses as many times as they want, making it difficult, if not impossible, to block specific IP addresses. 

One way to help is to block all countries outside your Google ad target audience. This way, you can reduce the chances of ad molestation by fraudsters.

However, if their VPN is reliable, they would have no difficulty switching between IP addresses within the same country. As this method is inadequate, the best approach is to use fraud-prevention software.

With ClickPatrol, you can easily block all VPN traffic from accessing your ads in one click.

Fraudsters using VPNs and other tools to carry out their fraudulent activities can be spotted quickly by ClickPatrol, even with their masked identities, and blocked before they harm your business, saving you the money you would have lost.

How do I spot VPN traffic?

By now, you already know that it is a tricky thing to do. It is tough to identify VPN traffic because IP addresses and locations can change within seconds, and their users can switch servers as quickly as they switch shoes. 

So one thing fraudsters can’t change as easily or as quickly as their IP address or location is their phone, which leaves a footprint of their presence.

Some specialized fraud-prevention software, like ClickPatrol, scans IP addresses for over 800 characteristics to accurately detect a VPN device regardless of location changes.

Conclusion 

While blocking VPN traffic from clicking on your Google ads can help prevent fraudulent activity, it is a complex and challenging task.

Implementing a blanket ban on VPN traffic could inadvertently exclude legitimate users and hinder advertising reach.

Additionally, identifying and blocking VPN traffic is difficult due to obfuscation techniques and dynamic IP addresses.

Instead, focusing on other strategies, such as click fraud detection systems and monitoring user behaviour, is recommended.

Balancing security measures and maintaining a positive user experience while adhering to Google’s advertising guidelines is essential.

Abisola

Meet Abisola! As the content manager at ClickPatrol, she’s the go-to expert on all things fake traffic. From bot clicks to ad fraud, Abisola knows how to spot, stop, and educate others about the sneaky tactics that inflate numbers but don’t bring real results.

View all posts by Abisola (Abisola)

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