Adwords less profitable because Google results are better?

[blaze]

I was wondering if people found that AdWords is less profitable (versus overture) because Google usually finds the right competitors in the regular SERP?

I know that holds true, as my overture campaigns seem to do better because buyers can't seem to find my hardest competitors.

[edit_g]

Well, it depends, the sector that I work in the most(travel) is so stupidly competetive that you can't help finding pretty much exactly what you want on the first page no matter what you're looking for. So it comes down to different factors there really...

[RedWolf]

I don't think that is the case with my industry. I am at the top of the SERP for many of my keywords, but still do Adwords. In tracking my recent sales, almost all of them came from the Adword click even if I was also listed in the top 3 to 5 positions in the natural results. I am starting to think that serious shoppers are starting to look first at the ads.

As far as Google vs Overture, there is no question for me. Google destories Overture on conversions. I tried improving my Overture ads a couple weeks ago in both ad content and bid price. Well I got a large increase in clicks, but they are not converting worth squat. I need to get down and see if it is just low quality visitors or if there is some fraud type problem. I'm thinking probably just the former.

[signup1]

I think you did bad SEO. Ranking high on SERP does not mean high CTR. I see at least 10:1 for SERP:Adwords. I think most others will have the same. Worst of all, if you have adwords, google may lower your SERP. That happened to me. It made one site of mine completely dependent on adwords. After that, I never mix the two on the same site again.

[Shak]

I think you did bad SEO. Ranking high on SERP does not mean high CTR. I see at least 10:1 for SERP:Adwords. I think most others will have the same. Worst of all, if you have adwords, google may lower your SERP. That happened to me. It made one site of mine completely dependent on adwords. After that, I never mix the two on the same site again.

I would very much like to disagree with the above.

Shak

[james_allot]

The conversion rates for adwords and overture varies for different industries. Some people might experience better conversion rates for google adwords than overture and vice-versa.
In either case nobody can ignore AdWords or Overture. Both are worth investing in PPC advertising.

[Tropical Island]

I think you did bad SEO. Ranking high on SERP does not mean high CTR. I see at least 10:1 for SERP:Adwords. I think most others will have the same. Worst of all, if you have adwords, google may lower your SERP. That happened to me. It made one site of mine completely dependent on adwords. After that, I never mix the two on the same site again.

I would very much like to disagree with the above.

I would also like to disagree.

We have both top ranking sites and top placed AdWords. One does not appear to affect the other. We get super conversions from both.

[signup1]

Here are my thoughts:
Adwords does not allow words like "Click Here" "We are the best" "Got Free IPOD" etc. But you can show them in SERP.
Adwords only allow 95 letters total. SERP allow about 200 or more. You got 4 full lines there.