Receptional - 2:09 pm on Nov 6, 2009 (gmt 0)

We've also had problems recently. Two accounts in particular - one where the Quality score went from 9s and 10s to zero overnight after several years and some quite serious client money.

The second is just as problematic. We won a large account, but the previous agency had set it up under their control and email address. We advised the client that this approach laid them open to blackmail, so we had to set up a new account (identical initially, using AdwordsEditor) to protect the client. Result? five times the CPC because the account history was lost of course. The only way (we were advized) to bring it back into line was to initially pay over the odds to get the adverts up high enough to even be seen to be clicked. Tens of thousands of pounds in excess CPC fees.

We're getting it back in order now, but that's not rewarding well managed accounts - it's penalizing clients that want to get their business and get it managed elsewhere.

It's a serious issue right now. I'm glad it's being reviewed at the core AdWordsAdvisor - please report back! :)

D.