Google AdWords invalid activity refunds $7M class action settlement

Update:

• Final approval was granted for this class action settlement on Nov. 1, 2022.

• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Google agreed to a $7 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it failed to refund or credit its AdWords advertisers for invalid activity.

The settlement benefits Google AdWords advertisers who, between Dec. 13, 2013, and April 28, 2022, had an AdWords account not subject to an arbitration clause in its terms and were billed for clicks on ads displayed on DoubleClick Ad Exchange websites.

Google Ads, formerly known as Google AdWords, allows businesses to advertise on Google search results. These ads appear in relevant searches and generate business for companies.

Although these advertisements can be a boon to businesses looking to attract customers, Google may fail to properly compensate advertisers. According to a Google AdWards class action lawsuit, some advertisers were denied refunds or credits by Google for clicks or impressions from “invalid activity” or violation of Google policies. 

Advertisers are charged for Google Ads whenever a consumer clicks on the ad, visits a company’s website through an ad or calls a business through an ad listing. However, according to the AdWorks class action lawsuit, Google allegedly charged advertisers even when clicks or impressions resulted from invalid activity or Google policy violations.

Plaintiffs in the case argue that, when clicks or impressions were found to result from invalid sources, Google should have issued a refund or a credit. Failure to do so allegedly violated Google’s advertising terms, California’s False Advertising Law and California’s Unfair Competition Law.

Google hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these allegations with a $7 million AdWords class action settlement.

Under the terms of the Google AdWords lawsuit settlement, class members can collect a cash payment. 

Each payment will represent a proportional share of the net settlement fund based on the amount each class member spent on Google AdWords advertisements appearing on any DoubleClick Ad Exchange publisher website. 

There are no payment estimates available at this time.

Class members whose proportional share of the settlement fund would be less than $1 are not eligible for payment under the settlement.

If any funds are left over after the distribution of settlement payments, the funds will be donated to Public Justice, a non-profit advocacy group.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 20, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2022.

In order to receive a payment from the Google AdWords class action lawsuit settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 30, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits Google AdWords advertisers who, between Dec. 13, 2013, and April 28, 2022, had an AdWords account not subject to an arbitration clause in its terms and were billed for clicks on ads displayed on DoubleClick Ad Exchange websites.

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

All available AdWords account numbers and email addresses you used for any of those accounts.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/30/2022

Case Name

AdTrader, Inc., et al. v. Google LLC, Case No. 17-CV-07082-BLF, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

10/27/2022

Settlement Website

AdWordsAdXClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

AdWords Advertiser Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
info@adwordsadxClassAction.com
855-874-1818

Class Counsel

Randolph Gaw
Mark Poe
GAW | POE LLP

Defense Counsel

Michael G Rhodes
Jeffrey M Gutkin
Audrey J Mott-Smith
COOLEY LLP