How to track ad in search vs content network?

[Rensenbrink]

Hello,

I'm new to Adwords, and I'd like to ask all of you for some help and advice. I'm trying to run a small campaign for a small online business we've just set up. I tried and tested several ads, and finally came with two versions, say A and B, that gave me a reasonable ctr (1-2%). However, I have the impression that ad A is doing much better than B on the search network, while on the other hand ad B is doing much better than A on the content network. Questions :

(1) Is it possible to track the performance of various ads on the search vs the content network?
(2) Is it possible to assign a certain ad to the search network only, and another one to the content network?

Thanks for your help.

[NatronZero]

In this case I would set up 2 different campaigns mirrored exactly. In the first campaign use only search and in the second use only content. In content, run only the ad you think is doing well in the content network. After you gain some metrics, you could try switching them up. I've heard of no way to determine which ad shows when an ad group has mulitple ad copy in the content network.

[Rensenbrink]

NatronZero,

appreciate your reply. Still if I were to set up two differet campaigns, the campaign directed at content only, would have a very low ctr. Wouldn't I be punished for that by Google with a low QS?

[arieng]

Hey Rensenbrick - Actually no, it wouldn't. Google seems to understand that the content network produces lower than normal CTR. Therefore, the content network has no bearing on your quality score.

I don't know it would work with a new campaign only on the content network, because you would never establish a CTR. Maybe someone else can clue us in on that. Or, just turn your current campaign (with an established CTR) to content network only and set up a new one for search.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[NatronZero]

As far as I understand it, there are distinct QSs for each network. While they may have aspects in common, I don't believe they directly affect each other.
[webmasterworld.com...]
This previous thread touched on this idea. It seems like anyone advertising in content will have a lower CTR than they would in search, & so this low CTR is an aspect of quality affecting each participant.
Hope that helps out. QS is tough to get one's head around. I'm sure I'm still not there. :)

[smallcompany]

One campaign for search, another for content. Search has nothing to do with content. This means content CTR will not affect the performance of your keywords, the system simply does not count it in.

Two campaigns and you are safe.