“You have been locked out of your account/You have zero balance” is a message no user ever wants to see. Can you believe this could happen to a brand’s user through the same source of click injection? – a copycat app or pirated APK.
Users behold brands as the responsible party for their asset duplication. The repercussions for the brand become dire in this process. On the other hand, fraudsters committing identity and financial theft, besides click injection, make the user’s life a living hell. Here is what happens to them:
4 Direct Implications of Click Injection Attacks on a Brand’s Users
● Device Access/OTP Fraud/Financial Fraud
Click injection is often found in pirated apps downloaded from app stores or APKs. Users are tempted to download such apps because they offer free access to the content/features and remain immune to the click firing activity in the background.
Moreover, fraudsters use malicious codes or bots within the app or APK for acquiring access to a user’s device, messages, and hacking financial details. Unfortunately, the user also blames the brand for the financial and OTP fraud.
Therefore, the apps/APKs responsible for click injection fraud also drive users away from a brand and switch to next-in-line alternatives.
● Decreases Trust and Loyalty
Click injection generates unconsented ‘clicks’ on behalf of the real user. Unfortunately, the MMP doesn’t see such ill-actions, so the advertiser/brand remains unaware & unworried. Unfortunately, the sources of this ad fraud are also responsible for plaguing other attacks through them on the user’s device.
Such activities make the user concerned and hardwire distrust in the brand, which becomes nearly impossible to repair. Furthermore, the brand’s inaction to fight back against the sources of fraud makes the user backlash through negative reviews, app store reports, and participation in social media trolling.
The bad publicity causes a dent with loyal users and increases the real apps drop-off rate. Moreover, the users become tempted to find other shortcomings and cripple the brand’s reputation through the ongoing repercussions.
● Creates Widespread Panic and Anxiety
Pirated apps or APKs causing click injection and identity/financial theft creates widespread panic and anxiety in the minds of the brand’s user. The users become more concerned about the thefts and want payback.
At this point, they can’t sue anyone other than the brand. On the other hand, the brand doesn’t take responsibility for the thefts because the user was never on its app. But unfortunately, when a large number of users sue a brand, new users are less likely to create accounts, and the old users won’t want to stay associated with the brand.
Anxious app users also believe any fake news and share it across social media, causing widespread anger, panic, and irritation against the brand. Moreover, the user’s actions diminish the potential reach of organic traffic, and competitor visibility significantly increases.
● Cannibalizes Revenue from Existing Users
Bad reputation caused through click injection and other frauds certainly cannibalize business aspirations; however, a positive notion makes a brand rise:
“Time heals all wounds.” – the Greek poet Menander.
But until the right time arises and the brand has somehow restored faith in the existing users, the company witnesses diminished revenue through in-app and web ads. Moreover, the brand also has users who haven’t been victimized.
Moreover, the existing users still have faith in the brand and believe it will repair its reputation. Furthermore, the existing users are scared of making profiles and purchases. So, they are less likely to make large transactions.
A Solution to Avoid Ad Traffic Violations
mFilterIt’s Ad Traffic Validation safeguards brands against web and app ad frauds. Moreover, it is driven by AI, ML, and data science and generates real-time alerts. Therefore, brands can detect analytical anomalies caused by ad fraud instantly.
Moreover, mFilterIt’s solution uses the technology to eliminate ad fraud and safeguards the digital advertising and customer data systems. Additionally, it systematically showcases the types of ad fraud and their sources.
Some of the biggest advantages of using the solution include avoiding attribution & organic stealing, better ad engagement rates, no wastage of advertising spending, etc.
Conclusion
Click injection seems like an advertiser-centric problem, but it is also a brand and user issue. Moreover, fraudsters commonly use the source of this ad fraud for identity and financial theft and cause widespread panic, disinterest, and disengagement with the brand.
As a result, fighting back against click injection has become essential for safeguarding a brand’s reputation, revenue, and users. mFilterIt’s Ad Traffic Validation monitors and eliminates ad fraud on the internet and contributes to the brand’s faith restoration in the users’ minds.
