Advertisers get claim notices for Google’s $22.5M settlement over ads on parked domains

The settlement stems from a case that dates back to 2008 about Google ads showing on error pages and parked domains.

Chat with SearchBot

Google Auction Bid Money Legal2 Ss 1920

Advertisers have begun receiving claim notice emails related to a $22.5 million settlement in a class action suit against Google.

The case, Google AdWords Litigation, Case No. 5:08-cv-03369-EJD, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, stems from a 2008 claim that Google did not disclose that it placed ads on parked domains and error pages in violation of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws.

The advertisers sought restitution for the difference between what they paid per click versus what they would have paid had they known their ads were appearing on low-quality pages that typically sent low-quality traffic. Google has consistently denied the allegations that it didn’t provide proper disclosure of where ads might show and maintains advertisers should have been aware.

The parties agreed to the settlement in February, ending the years-long dispute as the case wound through the courts.

This week, many advertisers — the class comprises about 2.3 million members, according to the settlement — received the email below, with instructions on how to file a claim. US-based advertisers that were charged for AdWords clicks on parked domains or error pages between July 11, 2004, and March 31, 2008, may qualify for a portion of the settlement. Potential payouts will depend on how much an advertiser spent and how many claims are filed.

Google Adwords Class Action Advt Email

In the fall of 2007, Google began testing a way for advertisers to opt out of having ads showing on parked domains and error pages. That option eventually rolled out globally in March 2008 and remains active today.

A Final Fairness Hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. PT in the Northern California District Court in San Jose.


Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.


About the author

Ginny Marvin
Contributor
Ginny Marvin was Third Door Media’s former Editor-in-Chief (October 2018 to December 2020), running the day-to-day editorial operations across all publications and overseeing paid media coverage. Ginny Marvin wrote about paid digital advertising and analytics news and trends for Search Engine Land, MarTech and MarTech Today. With more than 15 years of marketing experience, Ginny has held both in-house and agency management positions. She can be found on Twitter as @ginnymarvin.

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.