How to complain to Google about scam booking websites

We’ve been campaigning to get rid of scam theory test booking sites for a while now, but Google have not been terribly responsive to our complaints.

However, speaking on a recent episode of Watchdog Daily, Google admitted that at least one of the sites we’ve been complaining about does in fact break its advertising rules, and has agreed to remove the site. So complaints do work! You can help keep up the pressure on Google by submitting your own complaint.

Complaining to Google can be a bit tricky, so we’ve created this guide to help you through the process.

1. Right click this link and select ‘open in new window’.

2. Enter your email address, and select ‘Landing page/site where you end up after clicking on the ad’ and then select ‘a text or image ad’. It should look like the image on the right.

3. Click ‘Continue’

4. Open a new tab or window in your browser. Use Google to search for ‘Book theory test’

5. Right click the first advert’s link and select select one of the following, based on your browser: Copy Shortcut (Internet Explorer); Copy Link Location (Firefox); Copy Link (Safari); Copy Link Address (Chrome).

6. Paste that into the first box.

7. Paste the following text into the second box.

They do not accurately represent the added value that they’re charging for.
They do not clearly and prominently state their affiliation/non-affiliation with the government or official body.
They do not clearly mention that the original service is available for a charge.
They do not provide a working link to the official source with equal prominence at the point of entry to the service.

8. Click ‘Submit’.

That’s it – we’re done. If you’d like to complain about more than one website, just repeat the steps and select a different ad in step 5.