Multiple Ads for Same Keyword

Is this allowed?

[beren]

One of my competitors is running 4 ads, each for a different website, for one keyword. I thought Overture didn't allow this. Am I wrong?

There was another competitor running 3 ads, and shortly after I complained, two of their ads disappeared. Maybe that was a coincidence. Because I complained about this other competitor at the same time, and the ads are still there. It's been about a month.

I'm sure each of the ads was placed by a different agency and each website looks different, but there is no question about the ownership of the sites.

[bbr59a]

From my experience this is not allowed. I have complained about our competators running more than one ad for the same keyword to differnet web sites and shortly after the ads were removed.

The down side is that depending on your relationship with Overture, you may need to give them a list of keywords for which the competator has two or more ads.

At any rate, I encourage you to complain. They may give you the run-a-round at first, but if you are persistant they will take action.

[lgn1]

I don't see the problem with having multiple sites, bididng on the same keyword.

We are just in the process of establishing a second website selling the same goods. Once site sells these goods at a discount. The other site is selling the same type of goods, but they are of better quality and will be targeted at the upscale buyer.

I eventually plan on opening a third site, which will drop ship for us directly.

So you are telling me, that it is unfair business practice to have multiple sites selling the same category of goods. I call it a smart business practice, of not having all your eggs in one basket.

I would stop complaining and look at expanding into several websites yourself, rather than rag about the competition.

[bbr59a]

I was not aware this discussion was about if you should be able to bid on multiple sites, but rather if you could - and that answer is still no.

But anyway lgn1, since you have opened that can of worms, I must say that I have to disagree with you.

The problem is that you are talking about three different sites that essentially are the same. Sure, you can make the case that one site is targeted slightly differently, but isn't that splitting hairs a little thin? And what if one of your competitors with a deeper bank roll could make a very stretched argument that they had 8 different sites that were targeted a bit differently and could monopolize the top 8 spots? That would be no good for you I would think.

That said, I think the smartest, easiest and most fair way to solve the problem is to say that one site is enough for anyone. So if those are the rules, I say play with them.

Furthermore I would venture a GUESS that your ROI would be the highest if you just bid very intelligently on one keyword with one site. If there is a different keyword that fits better with a different site, that use that site for that keyword.

All in all, if I have to play by a certain set of rules then so should everyone else.

[lgn1]

Just because I have 8 different sites, does not mean I would be monopolizing all 8 spots. I position my spots based on ROI. There is no sense bidding in spot #1 if it costs you $50.00 per customer, and you are only receiving $30.00 in return.

In my industry I find that the top spots are companies that sell only a few very specific items at 5 cents on a dollar from liquidations and bankruptcies.

I sell my self on quality at a reasonable price, which dictates page 2 or page 3 ads.

[Delegate]

Hi,

Im afraid i would have to agree with 1gn1 on this one.

I have 3 different sites with completely different designs and targeted at different "types" of customer.

1 is discounted lower quality products

2nd is same product but at a better quality and more pricey

3rd is a "last minute" site with both levels of product but discounted if purchased at the last minute.

Some KW's i bid on trigger all three ads but give 3 different sites with different content. I agree that if the sites are the extremely similar and selling the same product at the same prices there is cause for concern, but different sites with different prices and different quality products is just the same as 3 different companies competeing only its one person paying the bills.

This has proven to be extremely effective and with no penalties from the powers that be. I reckon its smart!

my 2 baht!

[lgn1]

On a legal standpoint. If the three separate websites are incorporated by three separate companies, if does not matter that they are all owned by the same individual. They are considered separate legal identities under the law.

[beren]

True, but in this case, that is not what's happening. Three of the four websites explicitly state the company on the home page, and it is the same company. They are not separate legal entities.

And the sites are not selling different product or aimed at different segments of the market.

I have nothing in principle against multiple ads, but Overture needs to have a clear policy on this and enforce it. I would consider running more than one ad (I have more than one website in this market) if that's allowed.

[beren]

Overture's representative gave us oral confirmation that it is OK to set up more than one account and bid on the same keyword. They would not put it in writing, but they essentially (wink, wink, nod, nod) gave us the go ahead to do it. In response to our complaints, Overture will not remove competitors' multiple listings, so we said we wanted to have another listing, and they said "I think you're on the right track."

This is a different policy from what they used to have. OK with me, as long as they maintain a consistent policy.

[mike_ppc]

Forgive me for not being very familiar with Overture.

So you were talking about opening different accounts (one for each site). If Ov. allows this, the door is opened. But shouldn't you register each account on a different company?

About the same is for Google. You can set an account for each company and if you have different websites, everything is OK.

[Delegate]

We have 3 accounts running under the same company name but 3 different websites targetted at the same Keyword........we have never had a problem.

Guess their just glad to get the business!

[Sweezely]

Overture call them "sister accounts."

It's not always a good idea to be bidding on the same keyword multiple times - if you're not careful you could end up in a fierce bidding war... with yourself!