Search Network - Too Many Impressions

Low CTR if search network used

[doctor gerlis]

When I add the search (not content) network to the Google search, the number of impressions goes up atronomically on a few generic keywords. Two questions:

1. Which type of search site is generating these impressions?

2. Lowering my CTR is not a good thing for me- Should I not use the search network?

[LifeinAsia]

1) Google.com
2) If any change is not meeting your desired objectives, you should change it back.

[doctor gerlis]

Thanks lifeinasia

Your answers are very logical- the real question 2 is- won't my quality scores go down if my CTR is lower?

[Osagie Irowa]

For online advertising with Google Adwords, I would usually receive higher (but useless)search impressions when using the "Google Search Network". So, for more targeted traffic, I would avoid google search network and content network. Most Adwords advertisers don't like to turn off that option as they get caught up on the impression part of advertiser. More impressions means nothing. regards, osagie irowa

hope this helps.

[edited by: jatar_k at 4:24 am (utc) on Jan. 24, 2008]

[doctor gerlis]

That's helpful- the google.com thing is interesting- I am not sure how users in the UK would get to google.com since it automatically redirects to google.co.uk, and the ads do not show out of my country, so who is seeing google.com ads?

[tomasvdb]

LifeinAsia: I don't think your answer is correct.

When you opt in to the search network, your traffic can come from thousands of sites that use Google as their search provider. The fact that you recieve more impressions is simply due to the fact that you are reaching a much larger user base. However, many of Google's partners do not provide the same quality of traffic as google does for a very simple reason: somebody who is seriously searching for something will use google, not a third party site 'powered by google'.

the best way to find out where your traffic is coming from when using the google network is analysing the referrer URLs in your server logs.

[RhinoFish]

no worries on a low ctr on the content network, G understands how it's different than search.

[adwords.google.com...]

[edited by: RhinoFish at 1:25 pm (utc) on Jan. 24, 2008]

[wrgvt]

Are you using negative keywords to restrict search users from seeing your ads when they're not relevant to what they're searching for?

[doctor gerlis]

wrgvt

I am using a lot of generic keywords since these produce the most hits-I accept that people look at my site for information when they have little intention of buying, so I am not using negative keywords at present.

Thanks for your advice.

[bw3ttt]

Life in Asia's answer is very much incorrect.. The Search Network is everything except Google.com

it's eBay.com, Shopping.com, Ask.com etc..

This traffic is very good and it is foolish not to use it..

The content network is questionable at best however..

[doctor gerlis]

Thanks bw3ttt

I would be interested to know if people really use ebay to search for services rather than products- but your input is valuable.