Obviously a complete misunderstanding that Google doesn't care to correct.
As Nyet has pointed out and I have confirmed (and now using, thankyee), bidding seperately is possible.
...Google doesn't care to correct.
I think Smart Pricing is their solution.
Yes, the Smart Pricing system is their answer and their attempt to cut off widespread dissatisfacation with AdSense.
[webmasterworld.com...]
post 12.
Although I probably wasn't the first person at webmasterworld.com to suggest it, and I certainly wasn't the first person to think of it.
I bet a lot of advertisers have figured out how to bid lower for content ads (AdSense) without webmasterworld.com posts telling them how to do it
Most advertisers don't even know about adsense, let alone that they're opted-in to it by default.
Yes, the Smart Pricing system is their answer and their attempt to cut off widespread dissatisfacation with AdSense.
It's more likely that smart pricing is simply a response to the inherent differences between the quality of traffic from different segments of Google's so-called content network, of which AdSense is merely one part. Don't forget that Google defines "content" as everything from high-quality, targeted AdSense sites to DomainPark to premium partners with untargeted audiences. As new traffic sources such as gmail get added to the mix, a one-bid-fits-all pricing model becomes harder to justify.
Google is obviously hoping that smart pricing will eliminate the need to give advertisers more control over where their ads appear. That hope may be short-lived, but at the very least, smart pricing will buy time for Google and make content ads more attractive to advertisers until a better solution comes along.
As for "widespread dissatisfaction" with AdSense, the revenues generated by content ads make it clear that such dissatisfaction isn't so widespread as the network's detractors might like to think. :-)
Also, just pointing out that I suggested the separate campaign for content ads before Nyet did
It's an inadequate solution in any case, because the difference in conversion between "search" and "content" may be less than the difference in conversion generated by different types of content. Google defines "content" as being anything except search. It's a bit as if one were to call the Yellow Pages "search" and everything else from a product review in POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY to a throwaway grocery shopper as being "content."
That's why smart pricing was introduced: to create a better match between price and value for different types of "content." It may not be a perfect solution, but it's a better solution than separate bids for "search" and "content"--unless, of course, you're an advertiser like nyet who simply wants to content ads for branding. (If nyet's approach becomes common, you can be sure that Google will take steps to prevent free branding in the content network just as it's already done with search ads.)
The whole discussion about using AdSense for branding is a red-herring and completely misses the point. You simply can not game the system, as the higher CTR*CPC always wins.
And yes, Beren *was* the first to point it out. Apologies for improper creditation..
But, sadly, it is the only option for advertisers who want to bid separately for adsense. (as opposed to letting Google do it for you with Smart Pricing) Until there is another option....
############
(If nyet's approach becomes common, you can be sure that Google will take steps to prevent free branding in the content network just as it's already done with search ads.)
############
How? CTR requrements for Separate Adsense bids? Now, I wonder why they are not doing that already?.......
############
And yes, Beren *was* the first to point it out. Apologies for improper creditation..
############
whew!.....glad you got that all worked out!.... : )
