How monitoring works
SearchSnitch runs real Google searches for the keywords you choose, in the countries you choose, on a schedule. When a search shows ads, we record who placed them, what the ad said and where it linked to.
What our monitoring can and can’t tell you
- We sample Google Search advertising results. Each check is a snapshot of what Google showed at that moment, not a record of every ad that ran in between.
- Ads vary by location, device and time. Google runs an auction for every search, so the same search a minute apart can show different advertisers. We check desktop results in the countries you pick; more frequent checks catch more.
- Not every advertisement will necessarily be observed. We never promise complete coverage.
- Seeing an ad doesn’t prove keyword bidding. An advertiser appearing on your branded search hasn’t necessarily bid on your brand name.
- Broad match and automated targeting can put ads on branded searches without the advertiser choosing your name.
- SearchSnitch identifies observed advertising activity, not exhaustive auction coverage or impression share.
- “No advertisers observed” means the checks completed and showed no third-party ads. When a check fails, we say so and never count it as all clear.
Affiliates
- We record the exact link each ad points to. When it carries an affiliate or referral ID (for example
?via=,?ref=or an affiliate network link), we flag it as a possible affiliate, even if the ad shows your own domain. - Some affiliates only add their ID when the ad is clicked, through a tracking template. That never appears in search results, so those ads can look like your own.
- A flagged ad is a lead for you to review, not proof that an affiliate broke your programme’s rules. SearchSnitch doesn’t block ads or enforce programme terms.
What we don’t do
- We never click ads or follow ad links, so monitoring never costs any advertiser money or credits an affiliate.
- We don’t take screenshots. Evidence is the ad text and link exactly as they appeared in the results.
SearchSnitch is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Google.