How much is mouse clumsiness costing advertisers?

[ShandyKing]

I did it twice today, both on Google and on Yahoo.

I was had my mouse pointer over the Extended Blue sections of the sponsored results. Some times I like to click on a page to drag it up for further reading. Well, the pointer was not hovering over any particular Ad Link, so subconsciously I clicked on the page ready to drag but I was taken to one of the paid advertisers.

I did the same thing on Yahoo… I wonder how many people are doing this. Seriously, why is the blue extended so far out and why do they have the whole thing connected to paid advertisers? If I want to click on a sponsored link, I would click on the link. There is no reason for the blue to be activated 6 inches across my screen other then to take advantage of mishaps like what I do.

[rustybrick]

I personally never clicked on an ad by accident, that I can remember.

[David]

....totally by mistake and always feel terribly guilty.


David

[Nebraska]

I've done my share of accidental clicks - usually the way shandyking describes. Multiple monitors make it easier to do this as you click an open browser to 'activate' it.

[gabs]

Originally Posted by rustybrick

I personally never clicked on an ad by accident, that I can remember.

hmmm...

You must have to much time on your hands


Yep done it.. but almost every time i've hit "backspace" (back shortcut) even before the page has loaded thus google must see it as a invalid ?

(normally @ 2-4am after the pub )

[St0n3y]

I've done it many times. It's a good point, if Google et, al want to cut down on click fraud you'd think that you'd have to click on the link in order to be take to the site, no somewhere in the vicinity of the link.

But at least be consistent... if you're going to do that with PPC, do the same for natural results!

[ShandyKing]

Good, I am glad to hear I am not the only one. Since getting a new laptop, it is easy for me to hit the mouse touch pad when I am typing in my search. This also causes me to click on ads (or organic) links from time to time. Hopefully I was not clicking on a Mesothelioma ad

[wasabinut]

I've accidentally clicked when using my laptop.... the pad can be sensitive sometimes...

[jimtimuk100]

I have clicked an ad by mistake but then I instantly go back before the page loads (trying to save a buck or two

[hk997]

as soon as you click on the ad, they count one click and take the money out the advertiser acount! as far as know!