Google Search V. Search Network

[avalon37]

I have always been a big believer that restricting ads to the Google Search only option results in the best conversion and ROI. I've been managing campaigns for 6+ years and worked with 25+ clients. Has anyone seen their conversion percentage actually go down by opting out of the Search network? I know AOL is a big part of the Search network, but the quality of the other clicks from the network were never high quality in my experience. Would love to hear what you've seen.

Also any idea what % of clicks when you are active in both the Google Search & Search Network actually come from AOL? Sure it varies greatly by industry, but if you know the percentage of AOL in your campaigns and wouldn't mind sharing that would be great.

[shorebreak]

I don't have any hard data for you, avalon, but seem to recall the % of clicks from AOL at 3-4% of total for Google campaigns (excluding Content). Interestingly, AOL traffic accounted for a moderately higher % of total conversions than the 3-4% #; IMO AOL traffic generally converts at a *much* higher rate than the rest of Google's search distribution network (which, in fact, is not mainly search distribution but rather a signficant amount of non-search domain parking sites).

[avalon37]

Any other people know the % of their Google clicks that are really AOL?