1) I recently started AdWords on Google, and I was wondering if I should enter plurals as keywords. (i.e. widgets and widget). On Google's page,
[adwords.google.com...] they say they consider plurals automatically for "Broad Match" option, but upon testing plurals of keywords myself, this does not always seem to be true.
Does anyone have any input? Since it doesn't hurt to add more keywords, should I put the plural versions just in case?
2) Since google dumbs down the logic in KW a little bit, I am starting to become confused about the choices for KWs (even though I am a programmer). If I already have (using examples from Google.com), "tennis shoes", there is no need to make another string for "American tennis shoes", because the prior KW covers the second, correct?
I will appreciate your responses.
IppTak
Unless you have a high CTR or are a new advertiser, the broad matching system may not actually give you broad matching. So I'd recommend trying it with plurals, if the list isn't too long.
Does anyone have any input? Since it doesn't hurt to add more keywords, should I put the plural versions just in case?
A few thoughts, IppTak. IMO, the AdWords broad match will pick up most (but not all) plural variations. So, if it is important that you appear on plurals, I'd add them as keywords in their own right. Added bonus: often, either the plural or the singular will emerge as a clear winner, and using both allows you to monitor and evaluate this.
Also, keep in mind that plurals are not always straightforward. For example if you have the keyword 'birdy', you might want to consider using both 'birdys' and 'birdies' for the plural. As you mention, there is no extra cost to do so, so why not? I would, however, monitor to make sure CTR is sufficient for every variation.
As to your last question, I'd make it a practice to enter broad 'variations' that are important to you as keywords in their own right (and perhaps even as exact matches). So if you have the keyword 'tennis shoes' as a broad match, but you know that you must appear for 'american tennis shoes', then I'd enter it as a separate keyword.
AWA
I am starting to learn that AdWords is not only a tool to generate ads, but also an excellent research tool for consumer's search strings. I will try using all the variations, I can.
I don't mean to push the issue, but I saw some people mention that I should not have more than 20 keywords specified. Why is this the case? (or did I misread?)
I don't mean to push the issue, but I saw some people mention that I should not have more than 20 keywords specified. Why is this the case? (or did I misread?)
Not sure where you read this, but there is no reason not to include lots of KWs, as long as they are targeted.
That might be a general idea for each adgroup, including too many KWs in a single AdGroup can make the ads less targeted. There is no set number.
Each AdGroup should include very closely related terms as the same ads show for all those KWs. If you start to get KWs into a group that are slightly different, then its time to make a new group with a new set of ads for those specific KWs.
