[rige]

Hmm, I don't understand what would make that fraudulent, could you explain? Many users, and presumably many shareholders, click on ads that aren't relevant to them, or search for things that aren't relevant to their interests or purchases -- I would think that's just one of the many assumptions built into the advertising market.

[echelon]

> Every so often I'll google something like Criminal Defense Attorney, send money, or file taxes and click on the highest ads.

The original poster is deliberately searching for some of the highest cost per click ads [1]. They have no intention of using these services, and they're moving lots of money from the ad purchaser to Google. Up to $50 per click.

This person owns stock in Google and has a vested interest in seeing their revenues go up.

These effects are minuscule, but it's not far off from stealing a furniture item every time you go to Target. Someone is paying for these and it has a nonzero effect on Google stock.

[1] https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/06/27/most-expensive...