OPTIMAL iQ Announces Click Fraud Research Project; Search Engine Strategies Summer 2005

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 10, 2005 -- OPTIMAL iQ, a leading web analytics firm, announced the Click Fraud Vertical Market Research project today. This eight-week study will focus on click fraud threat rating in five vertical markets along with the top ten search terms in each. The markets included in the study are electronics, financial services, auto insurance, travel and retail. Companies spending for top search terms in the categories are encouraged to participate in the study. Data will be processed utilizing the OPTIMAL iQ Click Forensics(TM) Rating Engine.

The Click Forensics(TM) Rating Engine is the hosted application developed specifically to acquire, process, report and monitor click fraud activity. The proprietary algorithm utilizes twenty specific attributes to detect and segregate fraudulent activity. These attributes include both technical and behavioral attributes. "The behavioral information is collected from each page of the site allowing us to immediately discount authentic clicks which convert," said Tom Cuthbert, Chief Operating Officer. "This process identifies anonymous proxy servers and delivers reports which are as much as 65% more accurate than relying on technical attributes alone."

The research report, which will include a "best practices" white paper, is scheduled to be released publicly in October. "Our goal for the project is two-fold," said Chuck Wall, OPTIMAL iQ President and CEO. "First, we will be able to help identify key indicators which will help advertisers detect possible click fraud. More importantly, we hope to open up our process to the entire industry to mitigate the growing threat of click fraud."

Click Fraud Vertical Market Research project submission requirements and information are available at www.clickforensics.com .

About OPTIMAL iQ(TM) -- OPTIMAL iQ (www.optimaliq.com ) is a Texas based web analytics services provider and consulting firm with clients in multiple industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, retail and publishing. Recognized as a leader in innovation, OPTIMAL iQ's diverse client base includes Campbell Soup Company, Mercury Insurance, and The American Institute of Physics as well leading interactive agencies. For more information contact Tom Cuthbert at (210) 582-5752 or email info@optimaliq.com .