Fake Conversions in Google Ads: The Hidden Account Killer
The single most common — and most damaging — problem in Google Ads is fake conversions: the account counts the wrong thing as a “lead,” so the reports look fantastic while the money disappears.
How fake conversions happen
- Every page view is counted as a conversion.
- A button click anyone makes is tracked as a “lead.”
- The same action is counted multiple times.
Because Google’s AI optimises toward whatever you call a conversion, fake conversions train it to chase cheap clicks that never buy. You get a 90% “conversion rate” and an empty diary.
Run your free Google Ads audit
Kestrel checks whether your conversions are real. Connect your account and Kestrel runs all 40 checks in plain English — your health score, wasted spend, and the fixes that matter. It’s read-only, free forever, and needs no credit card.
This is why a great-looking report can still mean you’re being ripped off. Fix it using the audit checklist.