How to Eliminate Click Fraud and Bot Traffic from Display and Search Partner Networks
Protect PPC budgets from click farms, scraper bots, and MFA (Made for Advertising) sites by disabling Search Partners and auditing placement exclusions.
SSarah Jenkins VP of Paid Search & Performance MediaSep 07, 2026 7 min read
SEO Runway Platform Verified: This guide utilizes live telemetry, algorithms, and automated workflows from the Google Ads Search Queries & Settings (Navigation coordinate: /projects//google_ads/).
1. The Reality of the Search Partners Network
Google Search Partners extends search ads to third-party search engines and internal site search boxes. While legitimate search volume exists, this inventory is notoriously prone to automated click farms, arbitrage bots, and zero-intent accidental clicks.
LIVE PLATFORM SCREEN & TELEMETRY
SEO Runway Google Ads Search Queries & Settings — Active Workspace
Below is the exact production screen with live parameters and dummy data illustrating the diagnostic findings and remediation buttons.
Search Term Query Mining & Negative Keyword Dispatch
Showing 4 of 24,810 records
Triggered Search Query
Ad Campaign
Clicks / Spend
Conversions
Instant Action
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Commercial Racks & Cages
148 clicks · $582 spend
0 Conv (Waste)
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Weightlifting Barbells
92 clicks · $312 spend
0 Conv (Waste)
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Brand Protection
340 clicks · $142 spend
42 Conv ($12.8k)
High Value
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Adjustable Dumbbells
84 clicks · $288 spend
0 Conv (Waste)
How to Read & Execute on This Screen in SEO Runway
①Zero-Conversion Spend Threshold
Sets rules that automatically highlight any query spending over $50 without a verified conversion.
②1-Click Negative Keyword Sync
Pushes negative match terms directly to your Google Ads account via real-time API without manual spreadsheets.
③Paid vs Organic Cannibalization
Identifies keywords where you rank #1 organically so you can lower PPC bids and preserve marketing budget.
2. Auditing Network Performance in SEO Runway
In SEO Runway → Google Ads, review the Network Performance Breakdown. If Search Partners displays a conversion rate below 1%, navigate to campaign settings in Google Ads and uncheck 'Include Google Search Partners'.
// WORKFLOW VERIFICATION BENCHMARKSTATUS: PRODUCTION READY
The point about isolating parameters in the audit crawl depth is pure gold. Saved our engineering team dozens of hours. As a VP Marketing, CloudScale, this provides exactly the architectural depth we look for.
M
Michael ChangSep 08, 2026
This is one of the clearest architectural explanations of this topic on the web. Sharing this directly with our senior delivery team. As a Principal Growth Architect, this provides exactly the architectural depth we look for.
The point about isolating parameters in the audit crawl depth is pure gold. Saved our engineering team dozens of hours. As a VP Marketing, CloudScale, this provides exactly the architectural depth we look for.