How can we help?

Why ClickSambo Clicks Don't Match Google Ads Clicks

It is normal and expected for the number of clicks reported in ClickSambo to differ from what you see in your Google Ads dashboard

This discrepancy is not an error, but a result of how each platform measures clicks for different purposes.

In short: Google Ads shows you billable clicks, while ClickSambo shows you all clicks.

Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons for the difference:

Google's Pre-Filtering of Invalid Clicks

Google Ads has a sophisticated system to filter out "invalid clicks" in real-time.

This includes accidental double-clicks, clicks from known bots, and other non-genuine interactions. These clicks are removed before they appear in your reports, and you are not charged for them.

ClickSambo Captures All Raw Traffic

ClickSambo's primary role is to analyze every single click that lands on your website from an ad.

It captures the complete, "raw" data stream, including the very clicks that Google Ads may later deem invalid. This comprehensive view is essential for effective fraud detection and analysis.

Different Detection Methodologies

While Google filters out clear-cut invalid traffic upfront, ClickSambo performs its own deep analysis on all the traffic that gets through.

By looking at the full dataset, ClickSambo’s algorithms can often identify more subtle or complex patterns of fraudulent activity that initial filters might miss.

Other Factors

Timing & Attribution: Minor differences can arise from reporting latency (when each system processes the data) and slight variations in how attribution is configured.

Time Zones: Ensure the time zone settings in both your ClickSambo and Google Ads accounts are aligned to compare data from the same time periods.

The Bottom Line ✅

The different click counts are a feature, not a bug.

ClickSambo provides the complete picture of your traffic, allowing you to see the clicks Google filters out. This gives you the critical insight needed to identify and block low-quality sources, ultimately improving the overall performance of your ad campaigns.