Google Makes $500M a Year On Typos

holy_calamity writes "New Scientist reports on an analysis by Harvard researchers that suggests Google rakes in half a billion dollars annually from advertising that appears on typosquatting domains. They estimate that 60 per cent of typosquatting pages use Google ads, but the advertising giant declined to discuss whether it should be working with such pages."

Smart people.

[SharpFang]

Someone on Google saw some new Internet service and said "I wish I had $0.01 for each typo the teens make."
Someone else said "You know, that's a really, really good idea. Let's do it."

Fantasy math

[$RANDOMLUSER]

No logical leaps here:

If the company earns as much per visitor from ads on typo sites as it reportedly does from ads alongside search results, it could potentially earn $497 million a year in revenue from typo domains, they conclude.

Why shouldn't they?

[CSHARP123]

As long as it is not leading the user to some fishy site, I think it is perfectly legit to work with these kind of sites especially when it involves $500 mil

Re:Better them than other ad networks

[Anonymous Coward]

I hate to break it to you but Doubleclick was bought by Google a few years ago.

Re:Why shouldn't they?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not to be all corporatist, but I'm pretty sure that Google is directing people there either. They're system is designed to AVOID going to typo sites. I don't see it as all that unethical as a whole.

No different than a billboard

[mayko]

Legit squatting sites are no different than a billboard you see after you make a wrong turn while driving.

Like others have said, as long as they aren't a phishing site or trying to trick you into believing you are where you are not, then it sounds like there is no foul.

ssh hacks

[dargaud]

One thing I've never seen discussed is how typosquaters can get your ssh passwords. I almost fell for one. Like many slashdotters I have some personal servers on adsl lines (moving IPs) and thus use the services of a dynamic DNS. I wanted to connect to [e-mail], one of the most common dynalic DNS, but mistyped the domain name (don't remember how exactly). I was nonetheless prompted for a password, which I stopped halfway, remembering that I had setup a public key and thus did not have to type one. It's easy to recompile ssh to log all passwords attempted. Hook it on a catchall for all subdomains and you can start gathering accesses...

Re:Smart people.

[tomhudson]

Google hosts more "squat pages" and "doorway pages" and "spam pages" than any other company in the world - literally millions of them.

So-called "domainers" use them because google makes it so easy - register the domain, park it at google, and make money.

Don't believe it? Do a search for "google park domain adsense"

Here's the first result from scroogle [google.com]:

Google AdSense for Domains Earn revenue on your parked pages with Google AdSense for domains.
What is AdSense for domains?

AdSense for domains allows publishers with undeveloped domains to help users by providing relevant information including ads, links and search results.

With AdSense for domains, users can find relevant information rather than see empty pages or "page not found" errors. To ensure positive user experience and the quality of our network, these sites are monitored for policy compliance and prohibited from using text and images designed to confuse users.

AdSense for domains provides advertisers with additional opportunities to find their customers, and ads on these pages convert well. In addition, we regularly receive requests from advertisers who have found domains to be an effective way to reach their users.

If you have undeveloped domains, then AdSense for domains can help your users. To get started, check out our setup instructions, and visit our Help Center for more information.

Q: What domains are eligible for AdSense for domains?
A: AdSense for domains can be used on any domain that adheres to Google's policies.

Q: Is Google involved in the selection or registration of the domains in the AdSense for domains program?
A: Google is not involved with the selection or registration of these domain names, and is not in a position to arbitrate trademark disputes between the registrants, our partners, and trademark owners. Accordingly, we encourage trademark owners to resolve their disputes directly with the registrants or registrars. As a courtesy to trademark owners, Google provides a simple publicly available complaint procedure and, once notified of a legitimate complaint against a specific domain, Google will no longer serve ads to that domain. For instructions on how to file a complaint, please refer to the Trademark Complaint Process page. Additionally, a copy of our publicly available trademark policy is available online.

This isn't the only way that google encourages the growth of cruft on the web. Almost 90% of the bogus registrations on the forums I run are made from gmail spam accounts. Not surprising, given that you can buy compromised gmail accounts for less than a penny a piece - or if you want to buy in bulk, you can get even better discounts - like 25,000 gmail accounts for $100.00.

They don't clamp down on it because it helps them train their spam filters, but the rest of us suffer the consequences.

Yes, I know, the problem will go away in 10 years, when all computers are powerful enough to run AI software capable of recognizing and squelching EVERY ad, including product placements in real-time video feeds ... and with it google's revenue model ...

Re:ssh hacks

[Anonymous Coward]

You should get a warning you're connecting to a host for the first time.
That should be a warning enough for you.

Re:Smart people.

[gnu-user]

Google acts as a positive force on typo squatting. I had a few limited dealings with a domain squatter who transitioned into typo ad link selling. His desire for google money (it pays a lot more consistently and a better return then any of the other buyers) led him to put a lot of work into the "site" cleaning it up and making it almost normal. Google pushed this and he responded.

Prior to google, his primary revenue stream was the more aggressive/shadier hawkers of payed links. Among other things he offered a "search toolbar" install. Most of that went away with better google money.

While he probably would have had trouble with the "adult" ads, I remember a lot more of the typo squatters relying on those dollars. I'd much rather have discrete adwords popping up...

Keep in mind he was originally sold a bill of goods as a domain squatter. The ISP he uses certainly profits from his business, as well as the registrars he uses. There are a lot of people with their hands in this, not just Google.