adwords content-related ad clicks are SO LOW

is there a floor value for content targeting

[jp29997]

I know that content ads get lower CTR in general, but I get 0.0% CTR on almost all of my keywords-less than 1 click per 1000 impressions in all case. I can't calculate an ROI for the traffic I send to my customers (long story--but I can't). Even if I could my content-related clicks are so small that comparisons would be meaningless. My regular AdWords clicks are absolutely outstanding.

Is there a good reason to stay with content-related ads? Is there a benefit to the 12000 impressions producing 9 clicks? It wouldn't seem like I'm missing anything by leaving them, but is it good to have all those fruitless impressions?

My keywords are very specifically targetted. This site doesn't sell widgets or blue widgets. It's more like fuschia anykindofwidget -- ie the universe of consumer products but targeted to an uncommon part of supply chain. So, if I don't target very narrowly, presumably my ads show up in front of useless eyeballs.

The largest question really is: Does my terrible performance in content-related clicks tell me something about my campaign as a whole, or should I accept that content-related doesn't work for me?

[gypsychild]

I wouldn't take it as any kind of reflection on your ad campaign. Personally, I can't see how content related ads are as well targeted as specific search term ads. Unless you're looking for branding, I don't think you'd be losing much by opting out.

[Ally_Cat]

My CTR on content ads is disgustingly low as well, but I keep them on simply because of the sites that our ad gets displayed on. If you have access to your logs, you could look through them and see where the clicks you are getting are coming from and decide from that if it is worth it.

[jonknee]

You're at least getting a fair amount of branding. :)

Maybe the wording is better fit for SERP's?

[Dave_Hawley]

jp29997, I see a low CTR as good for me and bad for Google.

When I first used Adwords I purposely put the price of the item in the ad to stop freebie hunters and junk traffic. I would get something like 1000 impressions per day and only 10 clicks. Out of the 10 clicks though one, or more, would buy. Google soon disabled my ads though. I pleaded my case a few times via email only to be basically told "Like it or lump it" :o(

This is the only drawback I see with Adwords as compared to other PPC advertizing.