I can see where an Overture or other PPC clicker who made a purchase might be puzzled by the Google image, but hey, the sale is over and this image is not seen until that point.
Has this requirement affected your decision to use or not use it?
Does Google really care that much? They must understand that companies really have no desire to confuse the user.
That exactly why I don't use it. IMO- It cheapens the site.
And it would be great considering some of my clients don't have very robust log analysis tools.
Say, you had a PPC ad clicker from Overture, another from FindWhat, etc. These people are also shown the same confirmation page, triggering the Google conversion counter.
Is that the case? I don't see it in the FAQ.
Can you not just use the non javascript version and make it a 1x1 image?
I can't find a 1x1 pixel option - in fact the doc tells you why they don't offer such an option.
We have our own conversion tracking, plus Go Toast's tracking, but they are external to Google and don't always agree with each other. The Google service would be a handy third set of numbers.
Right now they have width and height set to 27 and 135 respectively, can't you just make those 1 and 1 and not include the javascript version.
I don't see a TOS which says you have to cut/paste that code exactly. In fact the disclaimer seems to say that its really up to the user.
Anyone else know otherwise?
Before implementing, please be sure to read the AdWords Terms and Conditions, paying particular attention to #4.
There's a link to the Ts & Cs at the bottom of every page in an AdWords account, so the doc is easy to find - and well worth reading from time to time.
AWA
Is there anyway we could lobby Google to get rid of this? The competition doesn't require this, do they?
Should be able to get rid of it if you spend over a certain amount.
Rare is the client who ever looks at their conversion pages. Rarer still is the one who looks carefully. If and when they see it and decide to say something I point out that it's required by Adwords. At that point they're addicted to the data and will let the button pass.
I don't like having to do that, but I like even less dealing with the hand-wringing over the stupid button.
One way would be to find a data miner that can read through your referrers and extract which unique visitors turned into complete sales, and see what their original HTTP_REFERRER was.
This is pure speculation, though - I haven't seen an application like that (though I may now have to write one in Perl...)
I can't recall exactly what it says on the google page that the button opens, but I think its not really that informative and does not give the user any assurances that their privacy has not being violated, or does it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I personally feel that a user has a right to know they're being tracked anonoymously and the google button is a step in the right direction.
I personally feel that a user has a right to know they're being tracked anonoymously and the google button is a step in the right direction.
That's what privacy and cookie statements on sites are for. Most major sites have tracking on every single page of their site, yet not every single page has a statement that the visitor is being watched, that's just overkill.
Even if there was code all over a site that displayed an image of sorts, the user could click on it to see what its all about and instead of alienating the user with cryptic cookie and privacy notices you could be building their trust instead by saying in clear language that you're not violating their privacy, unless you've got some thing to hide.
I think Google could come up with creative ways for you to adjust the look of the button though, much like you can do with adsense.
Your clients only use AdWords and no other PPC engine, right?
I'll have to use a different confirmation page depending on which PPC service was used by the visitor. There is always a healthy number of "unknowns" who have JS or cookies turned off or have entered through a free search or a bookmark. This concerns me more than the visual impact of the graphic.
As a feature request I'd like to see the conversion tracker (at the Google end) ignore a sale if an AdWords click (any ad for the client) were noted. I can immediately see this would be too hard, as the visitor might not buy the same day. I see buyers returning after 90 days. (It's a business service that might need approval from the visitor's boss.)
Robino,
Should be able to get rid of it if you spend over a certain amount.
Our spend is large enough to have an AdWords account manager. The explanation in the conversion tracking FAQs (about privacy) seems pretty strong and would have come at Google Legal's insistence.
Ash
anallawalla, I meant that as a suggestion to AdWords.
I thought about that though and it doesn't really make sense. How can AdWords be sure that a given client will continue to spend a certain amount?
