Deception of mobile internet users (paid subscriptions)

There are different ways to mistreat site visitors. For example, sometimes when users of mobile devices open a page from search results they can't see the information they just found because the sites show them different content from the one that was provided to the search robot for indexing. In such cases, users are often redirected to pages that subscribe to paid content services from mobile operators.

These services can use different redirection methods: from automatic redirects to aggressive advertising that makes it difficult to access the content or misleads the user. The fact that the subscription is paid is not always obvious, and the paid content provided is often not related to the request and the content that was indexed by the search robot.

Yandex detected that I have this violation. How do I fix it?

If you want to avoid such problems on your site, we recommend that you avoid using advertising services that manipulate or deceive their visitors.

After the violation on the website is eliminated, you can use the I fixed it button on the Security and violations page in Yandex.Webmaster to inform the robot of the actions you completed.

Note.

You can click the I fixed it button again for the same site after a month. Further, this period is increased up to three months to avoid the button misuse. Therefore, we recommend using the button only when you are sure that there are no more violations on the site.

If multiple users have website management rights in Yandex.Webmaster, agree on who will send the website for re-checking and when. After clicking the button, none of the users will be able to click it again within a month.

I deleted everything. When will restrictions be lifted?

The restrictions are usually lifted within a month after you eliminate the violations.

I don't understand anything in it. Where should I look for these violations? On what pages?

The methods of deceiving users can be implemented in different ways. You can test the behavior of your site's pages on mobile devices. To do it, open the site pages from search results and navigate through them.

Often such deceptive techniques are implemented through partner programs and teaser networks. Make sure that the ad networks used by the site don't use these methods and can be trusted.

I did everything, but the restrictions aren't lifted

  • Make sure that the site doesn't contain any elements that can mislead users, and that the site uses only proven advertising networks that you trust.
  • Make sure that when you open the site from mobile networks, you are not redirected automatically to paid subscription pages. Check that there are no aggressive ads that make it difficult to access the site content.
  • Use the mobile network, try opening the site from the search results and make sure that the site shows the expected content.
  • Check that enough time (more than a month) has passed after you clicked the I fixed it button. If this is not the case, Yandex algorithms may not have tracked the changes on the site yet.