Changing ads w/o resetting stats

Is it possible to only add tracking codes

[eWhisper]

I'm changing the tracking service I use for PPCs. This means I need to edit every Ads destination URL. The destination page nor url will change, only the tracking code at the end of the url.

Is it possible for this not to count as a new ad so the ad stats don't get reset?

[Shak]

ouch baby.

times like this having a dedicated account manager is really handy.

good luck

Shak

[AdWordsAdvisor]

eWhisper, I've gone to my own account and edited a few URLs to see if there was any work-around that wasn't occuring to me.

Checked with some tech folks too, and I am sorry to report that there is not a way to edit the tracking code without creating a 'new' ad.

I guess the only good news I can offer is that the CTR for the ad should quickly level out at the same point as before, since nothing has changed with the keywords and the (visible) ad itself.

And CTR per keyword won't be affected at all, of course.

Sorry about that eWhisper. :(

AWA

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Hey wait!

How about giving each keyword its own url, different from the default in the ad itself?

Each keyword may actually be getting the same URL with the same tracking code, but no problem there. They will all 'trump' the default URL for the ad, and the ad won't need to be changed.

I think this'll do it, no?

AWA

[skibum]

That's ingenious if it works!

[eWhisper]

AWA,

Thats a great idea - you just made my day. :)

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Thats a great idea - you just made my day. :)

Wow!

I only get to go home after I've made someone's day. So you've just made my day eWhisper!

:) AWA

[RedWolf]

Wow I didn't know that option was there. Big question, before I use it is will putting a keyword URL in there cause the ad to be put into review state? Not that the way conversions are going for the last few days it would be as bad as last month to be down for a couple days.

[eWhisper]

Nope. Your adding a url directly to the KW which doesn't affect the ad at all - so the ad is never rereviewed.

However, I was thinking about this later, and realized how much potential for abuse this could cause. Get an ad approved, then switch the url to a pop up page or something completely different that wouldn't be allowed by G - interesting loophole.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

However, I was thinking about this later, and realized how much potential for abuse this could cause.

Good point, eWhisper. Please know there are measures in place to prevent such abuse.

One that I can mention is our very alert user-base. With 200 million searches per day, minimum, you'd probably be amazed at the number of emails that come in from users who don't like what the see when they click an ad. Justifiably, they resent it when they are taken to an unexpected place, have been delivered a pop-up, and so forth.

So they send us details about the advertiser, and ask us to make it right.

My guess it that they won't be buying from that advertiser anytime soon. Worst of all, maybe the don't trust AdWords ads as much anymore. This is not good for anyone, IMO.

AWA

[eWhisper]

It's always easy to underestimate the effectveness of a write in campaign. I'm all for giving users what they're searching for - now when can we switch the displays of serps and ad positions on G? :)

Hmm, makes me wonder if you did that if the SERP results would get the same CTRs that ads get.