Those who sell online are well aware, it is very difficult to identify or authenticate an individual on the Internet. Here's how Google makes in the case where this authentication procedure is necessary, namely in the case of trade agreements with affiliates to the Google AdSense advertising.
One challenge of the Internet is the difficulty of identifying persons, whether physical or moral. If areas such as protection of privacy, for example, where anonymity may be required or desired, there are other areas where it has negative consequences. In fact, when doing business online, it is essential to identify the caller. To do this, to ensure the smooth running of its advertising Google AdWords, Google has set up various options to verify the authenticity of information provided by Google AdSense affiliates.
Checking the email:
After creating an affiliate account Google AdWords, Google sends a validation email to the person. The email contains a confirmation link to click. Failing to validate this link, the newly created account is disabled. Validation confirmation link, which includes a unique identifier that can not be guessed, ensures that the new registrant has provided a valid email address and under its control.
Checking bank account:
To validate the bank account provided by the affiliate, Google will transfer a token amount (about one euro) and asks the member the amount received. As the member did not return the correct amount, transfers are blocked. This step aims to avoid errors in entering the affiliate account and improve the authentication of the latter.
Mailing Address Verification:
To validate the address, Google sends a PIN by post. As the PIN is not entered in the admin interface, payments by the affiliate are blocked.
Upon receipt of this letter, the member opens the mail, take note of the PIN, then enter in the space reserved for this purpose within the administration interface of Google AdSense.
Phone number verification:
The affiliate must also verify their phone number, failing which his payments are frozen. For this, the member must inform his phone number, then from the administration interface, press a button suitable for receiving an automated call. PIN, displayed in the admin interface, is then applied to the member who must enter the telephone keypad.
Comments:
Although not infallible, the solutions adopted by Google to authenticate its affiliates in the AdSense program can eliminate most fraud and identity theft. They however suffer from various defects, including a relatively high cost (inter-bank transfer), a slow (mail), or the difficulty of access for the disabled (hearing impaired and visually impaired).
