For a startup, a product launch is more than just an event — it’s the culmination of months of hard work, innovation, and strategic marketing. It’s the moment you expect your audience to find your website, sign up for your service, and become loyal customers.
But there’s a silent threat lurking in the shadows of Google Ads: competitors using paid search to momentum.
When done intentionally, this tactic allows rivals to intercept traffic meant for you — stealing leads, inflating your ad costs, and even damaging your reputation — all while riding on the buzz you created.
How Brand Hijacking Works in Paid Search
Imagine this scenario:
Your UK-based fintech startup, Finova, is launching its new AI-powered budgeting app. You’ve built anticipation through PR, social media, and influencer campaigns. Users excited about the launch begin searching for “Finova app” or “Finova launch 2025.”
But instead of landing on your official site, many click on a top ad from a direct competitor offering a “similar smart finance tool.” The design mimics your branding. The copy says, “Get Finova-like features today.” And just like that, your hard-earned attention is redirected — and monetized — by someone else.
This isn’t hypothetical. It’s a real strategy known as brand bidding, and it’s increasingly common during high-visibility events like product launches.
As highlighted in Bluepear’s guide on paid search monitoring , competitors exploit the surge in branded searches to position their ads above organic results — often appearing more prominent than your own website.
Why Launch Periods Are Prime Targets
Launches are especially vulnerable because:
- Search Volume Spikes: A sudden increase in searches for your brand name creates a golden opportunity for competitors to bid aggressively.
- User Intent Is High: People searching for your product are ready to engage — making them valuable targets.
- You’re Not Yet Dominant in Paid Search: If you haven’t secured your branded keywords with paid ads, someone else will.
- Media Mentions Spread Your Name: Press coverage spreads awareness — but also signals to competitors when you’re gaining traction.
A study found that within hours of a public launch announcement, over 60% of startups experience unauthorized paid ads targeting their brand terms — many from well-funded rivals looking to disrupt market entry.
Real-World Impact: Lost Traffic, Trust, and Revenue
The consequences go beyond lost clicks:
- Traffic Theft: Competitors convert users who were already predisposed to choose you.
- Increased CPCs: With multiple bidders on your brand name, you pay more to compete for visibility.
- Brand Confusion: Users land on misleading sites and assume they’re interacting with your company.
- Affiliate Abuse: Some affiliates run ads on your brand name to earn commissions unfairly, even if the user would have signed up organically.
In extreme cases, malicious actors create fake “download” or “sign-up” pages that collect personal data — leading to reputational damage you’ll have to clean up later.
How to Protect Your Launch with Brand Protection
Don’t let competitors profit from your hard work. Here’s how to defend your brand:
- Bid on Your Own Brand Name
It may seem redundant, but running your own Google Ads campaign for branded keywords ensures you control the first impression. Make sure your ad appears above any potential hijackers.
- Set Up Automated Paid Search Monitoring
Manual checks aren’t enough. Use tools that scan search results 24/7 for unauthorized use of your brand. These systems can:
- Detect competitor ads in real time
- Capture screenshots of SERPs and landing pages
- Send instant alerts when violations occur
- Unmask cloaked content designed to evade detection
Platforms like Bluepear offer automated monitoring specifically built for startups preparing for launch.
- Enforce Clear Affiliate Guidelines
If you have an affiliate program, explicitly prohibit partners from bidding on your brand name. Monitor compliance closely during launch week.
- Report Violations to Google
If a competitor uses your trademark in ad text (e.g., “Official Finova Alternative”), report it via Google’s Trademark Complaint Form. Include evidence like trademark registration and SERP screenshots.
- Educate Your Audience
Help users recognize your official channels. Add clear branding cues, SSL badges, and verification marks so they know where to go.
Final Thoughts
Your startup’s launch momentum is precious — and fragile. While you’re building trust and visibility, competitors are watching, waiting, and sometimes actively working to divert your audience.
By understanding how paid search can be weaponized against you — and taking proactive steps to implement effective brand protection — you can ensure that when people search for your company, they find you, not your rival.
In today’s digital race, visibility is victory. Make sure you’re the one winning it.