How many keyword combinations should I have

Do I need to cover every combination of key word?

[John]

For my site selling red widgets I have red widget, "red widget" and [red widget} covered in my key words along with about 700 phrases containing these keywords.

I am a little uncertain if I should continue to keep adding new combinations of key words as I discover them.

I get most clicks through the adgroup with the three catch all's, red widget, "red widget" and [red widget}, but also get them in small amount through all these lesser key words and phrases. When I add up the small fry they count for a hell of a lot of clicks.

Am I just diverting clicks from one place to another or am I finding new clicks? Do you get ranked more highly if you happene to more closely match what the searcher actually puts in?

When reviewing my log files I found another 900 plus combinations of key words that searchers had actually used which weren't in my capaign so I have either found a gold mine or I am chasing my tail here.

Any help appreciated.

[t34WRJ]

IMO it's not about clicks, but conversions. Which type of terms convert well for you and which don't?

Cheers

James

[John]

James, thanks for the reply but I know the difference between clicks and conversions and this post is about increasing the probility of getting a click based on the spread of key word phrases. Specifically, is it more like to get the ad served on a much braoder spread of phrases than just the core words used in the broad, "" and {} styles.

Converting the click is down to page content, proposition, price copy writing etc, etc Sepatate topic, though related I agree.

[nyet]

Because you cannot rely on G's broadmatching anymore since they changed it, If you need the traffic, you should enter as many phrases as you can think of.

The problem is that Google will switch off broadmatching on some of your terms (without telling you in any way) if the broadmatches do not meet an undisclosed CTR threshold.

[John]

Thanks nyet, not sure what changes those were as I am not that clued.

I guess there is no down side to listing the new key words and then creaming off the ones that attract clicks and polishing them up in separate new adgroups to get the CTR to a reasonable level.

Most of my CTRs are around the 2-2.5% on my existing terms so I may be OK. Thanks a bundle.

[brucec]

John, congrats, 2 to 2.5% is a good CTR. We are hovering around there too.

[eWhisper]

If all those small clicks are adding up to a lot, and they are cheaper CPC than your broader matches, then it's worthwhile pursuing them if the time it takes you to find/add all these keywords results in more of a savings then spending your time elsewhere.

Often the advantage of using very specific keywords is to create custom landing pages, or using specific ads/power posting to send customers directly to the most relevant page.

[vibgyor79]

You added 700 phrases and you are still finding new ones? If yes, then this might improve the overall CTR further.

- After red widgets, [red widgets] and "red widgets", note down the other high impression three word keywords. For eg -

red hot widgets
red chilli widgets
red wine widgets
.
.
and so on.

- Type each of the high impression phrases into Google or Overture keyword suggestion tool and collect the phrases displayed by the tools.

- Create new AdGroups for each of these keywords. Customize the ad copy for each AdGroup (Pack the keywords in the title and body of the ad)

- In the old 'Red Widgets' AdGroup, do a filter for hot, chilli and wine and delete the keywords. This will ensure that respective impressions are transferred to the new AdGroups.

You will notice that your overall CTR increases over a period of time. It will also be easier to adjust the bid prices based on the conversion rates.

The last step is optional. And it has to be done only after one week (or so) of creating the new AdGroups.