Google dancing affecting conversion rates

[logiclamp]

Has anyone found that when Google dances and updates their indexes that CTR / conversion rates will dramatically change (either positive or negative) for AdWord campaigns?

[anallawalla]

No. The dancing affects free searches and I have seen low-ranking terms appear during this time.

Why do you think Adwords are affected?

[logiclamp]

If the accuracy of the searches improve then users may be less likely to utilize the AdWords to the right.

One theory I have is that for certain categories which have high paying AdWords, Google will penalize results which have high CTRs on the regular search results so that people are more likely to utilize the AdWords.

[Shak]

One theory I have is that for certain categories which have high paying AdWords, Google will penalize results which have high CTRs on the regular search results so that people are more likely to utilize the AdWords.

keep them theories rocking :)

Shak

[colinirwin]

Would Google really benefit from relegating high CTR organic listings?

Conspiracy theorists would say it drives searchers to AdWords where Google have an income stream. If they have their aim set on short term gain then this has some weight.

However, what would be the cost to Google if such tactics were revealed to the public? It would only take one disgruntled ex-employee to blow the whistle. The damage would be enormous - trust would be destroyed, searchers may switch to a more ethical search engine and (in the face of an IPO) the company's value could collapse in the eyes of potential investors.

Isn't it more likely that Google need to keep squeaky clean and are genuinely trying to deliver the best quality organic results?

Good organic results keep searchers loyal to Google. If you trust the results you use the engine more often - if the relevancy falls you use it less often.

So, relevancy of results increases search volume and increased search volume increases AdWords sales even if the %age of AdWords clicks per 100 searches stays the same.

Just my two penn'orth..

[Robsp]

I agree with colinirwin. If there is a conspiracy then changing the search algos from time to time will discourage SEO activity and looking at the flood of newcomers to this esteemed forum they have succeeded in getting quite a few over to adwords....