Does Position Preference work yet?

[poster_boy]

I'm interested specifically in the function of limiting how high your ad will show. (i.e. 2-10+)

From a Google rep on 6/19/2006:

<paraphrase>it is a known issue and should be monitored manually to ensure the ad does not appear in pos 1 or 2</paraphrase>

[edited by: jatar_k at 1:44 am (utc) on Aug. 25, 2006]

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Let me check into this poster_boy. Back when I know more...

AWA

[poster_boy]

*bump*

Additionally, I've learned that account filters don't work properly for keywords that have 'Position Preference' enabled. AWA, what is the status of this feature? At present, what aspects can we rely on... and which aspects should we not?

[AdWordsAdvisor]

*bump*

I apologize for having forgotten this question Poster_Boy. I did get info late last month from the Position Preference team, but simply failed to get back to the question. Quoting that team:

It is an expected behavior for there to be variability in position as the system attempts to target the desired slot. Such variability should mainly happen in the first few days after you set (or change) a position preference range, or bid. In that period the system calibrates itself and figures out what bids are needed to place you where you want to be.

It is also possible for a substantial shift in the 'competitive landscape' to cause such a recalibration to be made.

By the way, most of this info is covered in the AdWords Help Center, as excerpted below:

Please note that position preference does not mean that your ad will always appear in the position you specify...Position preference simply means AdWords will try to show your ad whenever it is ranked in your preferred position, and to avoid showing it when it is not.

...Position preferences are not guaranteed. Your ad may still appear in other positions, though we will make every effort to display your ad where you prefer. Once you set new position preferences, it may take a few days for the AdWords system to begin delivering your ad according to those preferences.

Excerpted from:

What is position preference?
[adwords.google.com...]

Finally, it's important to note that even if your ad shows above your preferred ranking, you aren't being charged more than the CPC you set. We're still honoring your price limits.

Additionally, I've learned that account filters don't work properly for keywords that have 'Position Preference' enabled.

I'm sorry but I'll need a bit more information to go on here, Poster_Boy. Can you be more specific as to what you mean by 'account filters'?

AWA

[poster_boy]

Thanks for the reply, AWA.

In my experience with the feature, keywords are consistently shown outside of their preferred range for substantial numbers of impressions & across several months. I fully expect there to always be some volatility... and I understand that this is still a 'preference', not a guarantee... but, there's enough of a lack of activity across enough keywords that I'm not at all sure what to expect when the feature is enabled.

Can you be more specific as to what you mean by 'account filters'?

When using Find/Edit tools, I've discovered that keywords found in Position Preference enabled campaigns are routinely left out of the results. Since this discovery - I've received some confirmation that the Find/Edit tools don't fully work with some advanced features, such as Position Preference and Ad Scheduling. To what degree, I'm not sure.

This bug is known (by only a small few, I guess!) so it's something that - once known - can be worked around. I suppose I'm requesting further visibility into the Position Preference feature as a whole... so we know what to plan around and what we should report as abnormal behavior. Thanks again, AWA.

[poster_boy]

*bump*

[AdWordsAdvisor]

When using Find/Edit tools, I've discovered that keywords found in Position Preference enabled campaigns are routinely left out of the results. Since this discovery - I've received some confirmation that the Find/Edit tools don't fully work with some advanced features, such as Position Preference and Ad Scheduling. To what degree, I'm not sure.

*bump*

Poster_boy, I apologize for missing this. I've been a bit behind this past week and more, and haven't had the WebmasterWorld time I might have hoped for. (As I've been looking for quotes for tonight's Advertiser Feedback Report, I've seen several 'days old' threads for the first time.)

In any case, I'm almost certain what you're describing above is an intended behavior. I'll confirm this and get back to this thread - with luck, tomorrow.

AWA

[poster_boy]

I'm almost certain what you're describing above is an intended behavior.

Hi AWA - Then, I'm confused. :) If a keyword showing in position 1.0 consistently for months when set for positions 2-10+ is intended behavior, I'm not sure what this feature does.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Looks as if were both thinking about AdWords pretty late into the night, poster_boy. ;)

Anyway - sorry for the confusion. When I said:

I'm almost certain what you're describing above is an intended behavior.

I was referring to this:

When using Find/Edit tools, I've discovered that keywords found in Position Preference enabled campaigns are routinely left out of the results.

And not this:

...a keyword showing in position 1.0 consistently for months when set for positions 2-10+ is intended behavior, I'm not sure what this feature does.

Sounds as if I may have been answering the wrong question. To what did the *bump* refer?

AWA