File an investigation by navigating to the Google Ads Help Center 'Click Quality Investigation Request Form', providing your Customer ID, affected campaign names, exact date ranges (within the last 60 days), and attaching a CSV containing timestamped GCLIDs, IP addresses, user agents, and behavioral evidence showing non-human interaction.
Navigating Google's Click Quality Investigation System
Most advertisers who attempt to file a click fraud dispute with Google get rejected within 48 hours with a boilerplate response: 'Our automated filters have already credited invalid traffic.' This rejection happens because the advertiser submitted emotional complaints or generic Google Analytics screenshots rather than the exact forensic dataset Google's engineers require.
Google's Click Quality Team reviews claims based on strict technical criteria:
- Google Analytics Data is Not Evidence: Google Analytics does not log IP addresses and uses client-side JavaScript that bots frequently block. Google explicitly disregards GA4 reports in Click Quality disputes.
- The GCLID is Mandatory: Every paid click on Google Search or Display generates a unique Google Click Identifier (`gclid`). Without the exact GCLID, Google cannot locate the auction bid in their backend database.
- Format Precision: The data must be formatted in a clean CSV table with UTC timestamps so Google's internal logs can correlate the click with their billing ledger.
| Submitted Data Type | Accepted by Google Click Quality Team? | Reason for Acceptance/Rejection |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 Screenshots | No (Rejected) | GA4 lacks raw IP logs and server-side verification |
| Generic Third-Party PDF Reports | Rarely (Often rejected) | Lacks raw machine-readable correlation data |
| CSV with GCLID, UTC Timestamp, & IP | Yes (100% Accepted) | Directly maps to Google's internal auction ledger |
| Seatext Automated Forensic Claim Packet | Yes (Optimized format) | Includes sub-millisecond interaction telemetry |
Form Submission Checklist for Maximum Approval Rates
- Locate the Official Form: Access the 'Google Ads Invalid Clicks Investigation Request Form' via Google Ads Help (requires active login).
- Input Account Credentials: Enter your 10-digit Google Ads Customer ID (format: `123-456-7890`) and your authorized contact email.
- Specify Campaign Names & Date Window: List the exact campaign names affected and ensure the start/end dates fall strictly within the last 60 calendar days.
- Provide Summary of Investigation: Clearly describe the technical anomaly (e.g., 'Unusual spike in identical user-agents generating zero-second bounces from Search Partner network').
- Upload Supporting CSV Logs: Attach your compiled forensic log file containing timestamp, IP, GCLID, and landing page URLs.
Stop manually compiling server logs. Seatext Bot Click Refunds formats and outputs 100% Google-compliant claim spreadsheets with 1 click.
Generate Your Claim Packet →Frequently Asked Questions
Can agency managers file claims on behalf of client accounts?
Yes, as long as the Google account used to submit the form has administrative or standard access to the client's 10-digit Google Ads Customer ID.
What is the typical turnaround time for a Click Quality investigation?
Google's Click Quality team typically takes between 5 and 14 business days to investigate and reply with their final findings.
How many times per year can an advertiser submit an investigation?
There is no official quota, but submitting well-documented, forensic claims once per month or quarter ensures prompt and serious handling.
