What to expect when I contact Google and how to word it?

[mike323]

Hi, New guy here.

I signed up for adsense about a month ago, and being very green at the time, I clicked on one of my ads and I think I did an adsense search (don't remember if I clicked on a result) and now I'm all nervous that my account could be deactivated at payout. I have a very inactive site (averaging 6 impressions a day), with so far very low paying clicks recorded so payout won't be too soon. Then, last week, I was using a laptop for the first time while visiting my site and had no idea cursors on laptops, when moved over links, sometimes click automatically. So, all in all, I may have about 3 invalid clicks totaling all under probably 50 cents or even less.

I see people here stating that it's a good idea to report these things to google. My questions to those who've contacted google before with similar infractions are:

What did they say to you and what can I expect them to say to me?

and

How should I word my email to them to get the best response?

P.S. In the adsense google group community I suggested google introduce someway for honest people to remove the commission themselves from their account as well as offer to pay for the ad so n one is out any money and ensure the continuation of the account.

[mondine]

I'd suggest a very straightforward message, such as you've posted here.
Chances are, you will get no (or an automated) response, and that it was unnecessary to begin with;
that your accidental clicks didn't 'show up on the radar', and your email will get 'filed' with the large bulk of traffic.
But, if you do find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of having your account suspended, it would be a lot quicker and easier to resolve
if you can point to having gone on the record with them, before it happened.

And add your suggestion. You never know.

[mike323]

Well, for good or bad here is what I sent them:

It's a little long ( I had to get in everything - even a sincere plug for all the honest publishers) but I kept it straight forward:

Hi,

I signed up for adsense about a month ago, and being very green at the time, as a test to see what my visitors would see, I clicked on one of my ads and I think I did an adsense search (don't remember if I clicked on a result) and now I'm all nervous that my account could be deactivated at payout. I have a very inactive site (averaging 6 impressions a day), with so far mostly very low paying clicks recorded (which I'm very thankful to be getting). Soon after, I learned it was not allowed to test ad links like that. Then, last week, to my horror, I was using a laptop for the first time while visiting my site and had no idea cursors on laptops, when moved over links, sometimes click automatically. I immediately went into my account and tried to cancel the click but that option is currently not available, as you know. So, all in all, I may have about 3 invalid clicks totaling all under probably 50 cents or even less.

At the time of the third click, I also immediately asked how I could cancel the click in Google's community group for adsense. I was told it couldn't be cancelled and just to "make sure it didn't happen again" (which it hasn't) but didn't learn until recently it was also a good idea to inform Google, via email, of what happened.

I just wanted to inform Google upfront of what happened and that I have since learned how to visit my site safely by turning off Javascript and try to only visit my site when I make an update to make sure it looks okay and to never click on ones own ads for any reason. I think my confusion on this matter occured when I first signed up for adsense - I could have sworn I read that my ip address would be logged, which I mistakingly took to mean my test clicks would be ignored. But perhaps, I confused Google's FAQ with Statcounter.com - another site I signed up for at the same time. Either way it was, of course, my error.

I do realize you have to sometimes paint with a broad brush when it comes to this issue but I hope, based on the details I've provided here (and any you may request), Google can give me the opportunity to continue in the adsense program.

I'll, of course, respect whatever decision you make but I would further like to offer to pay for the ads I clicked on (if there is some way I could do that) as an an expression of my sincerity regarding this matter and as further evidence my initial invalid clicks were honest errors on my part. I believe if this option could somehow be made available to all adsense publishers through their online accounts, it would be easier to seperate those who sincerely wish to abide by Google policy but, for a myriad of legitimate reasons, appear to act against it, and those who would take no actions to correct their illegal acts, even if an option to was offered.

Sincerely,