A few years ago, Google about took over the market of advertising for web site owners with their Google AdSense advertisement program.  This allows web sites of any size to put text or graphic advertisements spaces on their site allowing Google will server up the advertisements in that space.  The program uses a Pay-Per-Click model where web site owner receives a payment anywhere from a couple pennies up to several dollars, for each click on the advertisements.

The AdSense program is so successful, that at times it seems like everyone is carrying the advertisements. Many other affiliate sponsorships sites must be hurting with so many web sites turning to AdSense keyword based advertising.

So, the question now is, "are all those clicks valid and fair"?  Since advertisers pay for every click on there ads, how many of those clicks really are from people interested by the advertisement they just saw, or maybe the clicked on the advertisement simply as a reward to the web site owner.  Since there is no method to actually know if the clicks are proper or not, I wonder how many people click on the advertisements fraudulently, simply because the know web site owner or enjoy the site and want to help fund them.

For me, I seldom pay attention to advertisements on sites visit until I have realized some kind of value from them, that is, if I feel the site is decent and has provided some kind of information or service worth some kind of value (entertainment or whatever), then I pay attention to the advertisements and try to find something to click on that is of interest to me.  Yep, I view this as a form of reward to the site.

I have setup three quick polls to which I would like you to place your vote.  It should only take a couple minutes, but I think the results might prove interesting if enough people vote.

Also, if you could send you friends and coworkers to vote, it would be appreciated to give us a good view of just how people feel.  The more people that participate the more likely the results will reflect what is going on.

Do you think that the Google AdSense ads are clicked on fairly?

Vote  -  Results

Do you click on the ads on websites because you either know them or would like to help out the site?

Vote  -  Results

How much do you make on AdSense ads your have placed on your web site(s) MONTHLY?

Vote  -  Results

In a few weeks I plan to post the results and see just how people and web owners feel.