I spent $220 on Google app ads and 60% of the installs were robots
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A puzzle app developer found 60% of Google ad installs were bots, billing $220 for fake conversions.
Dayzle's developer ran a Google Ads campaign at CA$40/day for installs. After removing cost-per-install targets, Google reported 21 installs, but the developer's analytics showed only 1 real user. 20 of 21 installs came from old app versions no longer served by Play Store, each opening once with zero engagement. Over two weeks, 33 of 56 billed installs matched bot behavior: old app versions, no clicks, zero time on screen, from scattered states. The farm exploited Google's conversion tracking loop. The developer switched campaign goal to 'won a puzzle' and submitted an invalid-traffic form.
What commenters are saying
Commenters confirm bot fraud is widespread and worsening. Top advice: set in-app goals (not installs) and block IP ranges from data centers. Bot farms earn by displaying ads and faking conversions, getting paid by Google while advertisers lose money. One commenter notes residential proxies complicate blocking. A key insight: Google's install count was technically accurate; only cross-checking app version revealed fraud. Skepticism about refunds is high. The YC recommendation to avoid early online ads is echoed.