What to Do When an Ad Platform Rejects Your Bot Traffic Refund Appeal

If an ad platform rejects your bot traffic refund appeal, you still have options. You can request a second review with new evidence, escalate to platform support teams, or engage a recovery service that has relationships with the platforms. The key is to act quickly and strengthen your evidence.

Why a rejection is not the end of the road

Ad platforms like Google Ads and Meta often reject initial refund claims because the evidence is incomplete or doesn't meet their internal criteria. A rejection is a decision on the current submission, not a final verdict. Many advertisers successfully overturn rejections by providing more detailed proof or by escalating to a human reviewer.

Bot traffic is a real problem. According to BotRefund, bot clicks can steal up to 20% of your Google and Meta ad budget. That's a significant amount of wasted spend. If your first appeal fails, you should not simply accept the loss.

Before you escalate: check your evidence

Before you take any next step, review the evidence you submitted. A weak case is the most common reason for rejection. Ask yourself:

• Did you include timestamps and IP addresses for the suspicious clicks?
• Did you show behavioral signals like superhuman input speed, grid-aligned mouse paths, or absence of humanlike tremor?
• Did you provide session-level data showing unnatural durations or no scrolling?
• Did you use a detection tool that captures video proof?

If you lack this data, gather it before appealing again. A second review with new evidence is more likely to succeed than a repeat of the same claim.

Step 1: Request a second review with new evidence

Most platforms allow you to request a second review after a rejection. This is not an automatic process. You need to submit a formal request and include additional proof.

1. Log into your ad platform account and find the original refund claim.
2. Look for an option like "Request another review" or "Appeal decision."
3. Prepare a clear summary of why the original decision was incorrect.
4. Attach new evidence: click logs, behavioral reports, video recordings, or a detailed audit from a third-party tool.
5. Submit the request and keep a record of the submission date and any confirmation numbers.

Be specific. Instead of saying "these are bots," show exactly which clicks were invalid and why. For example, if you used a tool that detects ghost clicks or honeypot interactions, include those findings.

Step 2: Escalate to platform support teams

If the second review is also rejected, escalate to a human support team. Many platforms have dedicated teams for invalid traffic disputes. You can reach them through the help center, chat, or phone support.

When you escalate, explain the situation clearly and reference your previous claim numbers. Ask to speak with a specialist who handles invalid click disputes. Be polite but persistent. If you have a large ad spend, you may have a dedicated account manager who can intervene.

Some platforms have community forums where you can post your issue. While these are not official support channels, they can sometimes get attention from platform staff.

Step 3: Engage a recovery service with platform relationships

If you've exhausted the standard channels, consider hiring a recovery service. These services specialize in bot traffic refunds and have established relationships with Google and Meta. They know the exact evidence formats and negotiation tactics that work.

BotRefund is one such service. It detects bots using behavioral analysis—ghost clicks, honeypot traps, robotic mouse movements, and more. It then proves the bot clicks, negotiates with Google and Meta, and gets your money back. BotRefund can recover refunds from Google Ads spend dating back to 2017.

Using a recovery service can save you time and increase your chances of success. However, these services typically charge a fee or take a percentage of the refund. Make sure you understand the pricing model before you sign up.

What to include in your escalation template

When you escalate, use a clear and professional template. Here's a structure that works:

• Subject line: "Appeal for Invalid Traffic Refund - [Your Account ID]"
• Introduction: State your name, business, and the claim number.
• Summary of issue: Explain that you believe bot traffic caused invalid clicks and that the refund was wrongly denied.
• Evidence: List the specific evidence you're providing (e.g., behavioral reports, video proof, timestamps).
• Request: Ask for a manual review by a specialist.
• Closing: Provide your contact information and a deadline for response.

Keep it concise. Platforms receive many appeals, so make yours easy to read and act on.

Key facts about bot traffic refunds

Limitations and when this advice doesn't apply

This advice assumes you have a legitimate case and sufficient evidence. If your traffic is mostly human but misattributed, a refund may not be appropriate. Also, some platforms have strict time limits for refund claims. If you're past the deadline, you may not be able to appeal.

Recovery services like BotRefund work with Google and Meta specifically. If you advertise on other platforms, you'll need to find a service that covers them. Additionally, if your ad spend is very low, the cost of a recovery service might exceed the potential refund.

Finally, a rejection doesn't mean the platform is wrong. Sometimes the clicks are not actually bots. Be honest with yourself about the evidence before escalating.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a second review take?

It varies by platform. Google Ads typically responds within a few business days, but complex cases can take longer. Meta has similar timelines. Check the platform's help center for current estimates.

Can I appeal more than twice?

Most platforms allow multiple appeals, but each one should include new evidence. Repeatedly submitting the same claim without changes is unlikely to succeed.

What if I don't have video proof?

Video proof is strong but not always required. Behavioral reports, click logs, and IP data can also be convincing. If you don't have any evidence, consider using a detection tool to capture it for future claims.

How much does a recovery service cost?

Pricing varies. Some services charge a flat fee, others take a percentage of the refund. BotRefund offers a free audit and has pricing tiers based on ad spend. Check their pricing page for details.

Will using a recovery service guarantee a refund?

No service can guarantee a refund. Platforms make the final decision. However, a service with experience and relationships can significantly improve your odds.

Can I prevent bot traffic in the future?

Yes. Use detection tools, monitor your click data, and set up filters. BotRefund's behavioral detection can help you identify and block bots before they waste your budget.