Content bids at keyword level

Can I do this?

[minty99]

I have an adgroup with a large number of keywords each set at individual bids (in most cases the minimum bid).

The amount and quality of traffic I get from the content network is okay, but if the average CPC were to go up by even a few pence, it wouldn't be.

Some of my keywords are 'inactive for search' and I'd like to reactivate them. However, to do so, I'd have to bid a lot more. As I don't seem to be able to place a seperate bid for the content network at a keyword level, I presume increasing the bid for search also increases it for content? And if I do this, my average content CPC will go up, and my content traffic ROI drops?

I can't see anyway of avoiding this (bar splitting my adgroups into two, which I'd like to avoid as I have so many). Am I missing something?

Thanks!

Minty.

[netmeg]

It might be a pain initially to set up, but you're really best off separating your Content bids into a different campaign.

[SanDiego Art]

Actually, it is not as painful as you might think if you use AdWords Editor.

You can make a copy your existing campaign(s), and then set it to Content only and the original campaign(s) to Google/Search network only on the Campaign tab of AdWords Editor.

Since the quality score / minimum bid doesn't affect the Content Network (only the Google & Search Network), you'll be able to get contextual traffic on those terms that are too expensive to activate on the search network.

It would take you less than 10 minutes to accomplish this if you are used to using the Editor and maybe 30 minutes if you aren't familiar with it.

[koncept]

You CAN increase your bid for search without increasing your content bid. Be sure you have your campaigns set up to allow different bids for content and search. Then just keep your content bid at a profitable maximum and continue to adjust your search bids individually.