Google Ads Performance Max (PMax) campaigns are designed to place your ads across Search, YouTube, Display, Discover, and the Google Search Partner network. While this offers wide reach, it also opens the door to **publisher click fraud**.
The Google Search Partner network includes third-party search engines and niche websites that show Google search ads. Because these site owners earn a share of the CPC revenue, they are highly motivated to run bot scripts that click ads on their pages.
Since Google does not allow you to easily opt-out of Search Partners inside PMax, this network often becomes a major source of wasted ad spend. Here is how to audit and protect your campaigns.
How Search Partner Click Fraud Works
Search partner fraud is typically driven by automated search scraper bots. The publisher sets up a low-quality site, joins the Google Search Partner network, and feeds it search traffic.
They run automated scripts that query commercial terms on their site, causing Google search ads to display. The bot then clicks the ad, generating a payout for the publisher and charging the advertiser.
These bots are programmed to simulate normal site searches, making them difficult to detect with standard network filters.
Why Google's Internal Filters Miss Publisher Fraud
Google's click filters operate at the network level, checking for obvious anomalies like rapid clicks from the same IP. However, sophisticated publishers run distributed botnets that rotate mobile device identifiers and residential IPs.
Since the click originates from a clean IP and targets commercial terms, Google's system flags it as valid traffic.
Because Google profits from both sides of the ad transaction, they have less incentive to proactively block these borderline partner placements unless presented with clear proof.
How BotRefund Logs Search Partner Fraud
BotRefund audits Search Partner traffic by tracking the visitor's behavioral telemetry on your website.
Our script logs the GCLID, referrer URL, and interaction detail. If a visitor from a Search Partner site shows no mouse movements, lacks normal hardware fonts, or utilizes a headless browser, BotRefund flags the session as invalid.
BotRefund compiles these logs into an audit report. You can use this report to prove to your Google Ads representative that specific search partner placements are driving fraudulent traffic, helping you secure refunds.
Checklist: How to Audit PMax Partner Placements
- Use Google Ads scripts to extract placement-level reporting from PMax campaigns.
- Flag Search Partner referral domains showing high CPC clicks with 100% bounce rates.
- Look for click events that register zero scroll activity or viewport interaction.
- Install BotRefund to monitor behavioral telemetry on all landing pages.
- Submit placement audit reports to Google support to request ad credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt-out of Search Partners in PMax?
Not directly through the Google Ads dashboard. You must contact Google support or use API scripts to exclude specific partner networks.
What is publisher click fraud?
It occurs when owners of ad-supported websites use scripts or bots to click ads on their own sites to inflate their ad revenue payouts.
How does BotRefund prove a click is invalid?
By logging detailed client-side behavioral proof, including linear mouse trajectories, missing user interaction, and headless browser properties.