Google AdWords Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Google Inc. failed to disclose to AdWords customers that advertisements would be placed on parked domains and error pages.

If you had a Google AdWords account between July 11, 2004 and March 31, 2008 and you were charged for clicks on advertisements that appeared on parked domains or error pages, you may be entitled to a cash payment from the Google AdWords class action settlement.

The plaintiffs filed the Google class action lawsuit in 2008, alleging Google failed to disclose to AdWords customers that it would place their advertisements on parked domains and error pages. The plaintiffs assert that parked domains and error pages are low-quality websites that contain little or no content. They claim Google violated California laws against unfair competition and false advertising.

“Google represents that it places ads on ‘high quality’ search and content sites, that is, websites where advertisements will be placed alongside contextually relevant search results or content,” the plaintiffs state in their third amended complaint.

“However, during the Class Period, Google concealed from advertisers that it actually was placing substantial numbers of their ads on low quality parked domain and error pages that contained little or no content, and which could not be accessed through what internet users considered to be ‘search.’”

According to the AdWords class action lawsuit, Google knew that AdWords customers did not believe that advertising on the low-quality websites would provide a good return on their investment, and that customers did not want their businesses to be associated with parked domains or error pages.

Google denies the allegations but agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle the AdWords class action lawsuit. The Google AdWords class action settlement was preliminarily approved on March 9, 2017.

Class Members who want to exclude themselves from or object to the Google AdWords settlement must submit their requests no later than June 21, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Google AdWords settlement include U.S. residents who, during the period from July 11, 2004 through March 31, 2008, had a Google AdWords account and were charged for clicks on advertisements appearing on parked domains or error pages.

To be eligible for payment, you must have spent at least $1 on AdWords ads served on parked domains and error pages during the Class Period.

Potential Award

Varies, depending on the amount each Class Member spent on ads on parked domains and error message during the Class Period and how many total claims are filed.

Proof of Purchase

N/A. Claimants must provide their AdWords Customer ID.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

6/21/2017

NOTE: A PDF version of the Claim Form is available here.

Case Name

In re: Google AdWords Litigation, Case No. 5:08-cv-03369-EJD, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

7/27/2017

UPDATE: The Google AdWords settlement was granted final approval on August 7, 2017.  According to the settlement website, as long as appeals are not filed, distribution will take place in October.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

UPDATE 2: According to a stipulation filed with the court on October 3, 2017, due to the number of deficient claims filed, AdWords credits will now be issued no later than November 20, 2017.  Claimants that selected cash or ACH transfer will still receive payment in October.

Settlement Website

www.AdWordsClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Google AdWords Settlement
c/o Analytics Consulting LLC
P.O. Box 2005
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2005
1-844-798-3628
info@AdWordsClassAction.com

Class Counsel

SCHUBERT JONCKHEER & KOLBE LLP

Defense Counsel

COOLEY LLP