I have a serious problem. Any help will be so appreciated . . .
I've been using AdWords as an affiliate marketer for about one-and-a-
half years. I consider myself somewhat of an expert in keyword-
targeted search campaigns. Or, so I did . . . ! A recent experience
has made me question my abilities and come running for help like a
blundering novice! Hopefully, someone here'll have a solution . . .
My problem concerns a direct linking, keyword-targeted search
campaign. (In case you don't know, direct linking refers to linking
straight to a merchant's web site instead of to a personal landing
page.) The campaign in question has made quite a bit of money for me,
one of the keywords especially. Think, then, how much I panicked the
other day when I logged in and saw the following message after
hovering over the primary keyword's Ad Diagnostic Tool shortcut (the
little magnifying glass):
"Your ad shares a similar Display URL with a competing, higher ranking
ad."
I knew what this meant instantly: another affiliate, using the same
display URL and with a higher ranking ad, had stolen my keyword and
was now enjoying all the profits! What I didn't, and still don't,
understand is how the affiliate managed to do it.
From my own experience, I know that, when an affiliate is direct
linking, it's very difficult for another affiliate to come and take
over the display URL and keywords. The one trying to take over can
increase his/her CPCs all day, but nothing will happen if the other
affiliate's got a strong historical ad and keyword CTR. How, then, did
this affiliate manage to take my primary keyword when it was enjoying
stats like the following?
Clicks: 1,589
Impressions.: 3,794
CTR: 41.88%
Average CPC: $0.24
Cost: $381.95
Average Position: 1.1
After seeing the message, I tried to get my keyword back. I increased
its CPC gradually to $100. Nothing happened. I added a more relevant
ad to the two existing ones in the ad group. Still no joy. I even
cleaned my entire account of poor-performing keywords, still to no
avail! One thing I didn't do was edit my two existing ads, as this
would result with the loss of their histories.
Does anyone know what else I can do? And just how might this affiliate
have managed to steal such a powerful keyword? Any help will be much
appreciated.
Regards,
Tehuti
P.S.
My problem is, this affiliate's got a higher ad rank than me.
According to Google, "Ad Rank = CPC bid × Quality Score. The Quality
Score for Ad Rank on the search network is determined by:
-The historical CTR of the ad and of the matched keyword on Google;
CTR on the Google Network is not considered
-The relevance of the keyword and ad to the search query
-Your account history, which is measured by the CTR of all the ads and
keywords in your account
-Other relevance factors
Your landing page quality is not a factor."
You already know the problem, they have a better ad rank than you. You need to improve yours. I know your stats are good but it doesn't mean theirs isn't better. They could have used this search term in their campaign a long time ago and have a good history as well.
You should be happy for getting lucky with your direct linking campaign. You took it for granted for so long and now it's time to create instead of riding on easy profits.
Trust me. I used to direct link too. Now that I create landing pages, I haven't looked back.
If you are looking for a quality designer hit me up and I'll connect you.
[edited by: OmarNYC at 11:59 pm (utc) on Aug. 21, 2008]
How long has this ad(s) been successfully running for you?
From what time period were those stats that you listed (all-time, month, day)?
I imagine that you've checked out their ad that is now trumping yours. How does it compare to yours? Do you see anything significant that they are doing that could make a difference? Your stats seem strong so maybe it's something in the copy that's making the difference.
-Mike
Sorry . . . I should have been more clear in my post.
The figures that I presented are the all-time stats of my main keyword, the one that was taken. I lost it about a week ago. The campaign's been running for approximately three months, during which time all of the keywords and ads have done very well, yielding an average daily campaign CTR of ~30%.
I've examined the competitor ad. It doesn't look special at all. I tried copying it word-for-word. Nothing. I also tried multiple other variations which I thought were far better, all guided by the ad rank quality score criteria. However, whatever I done, I couldn't shake it. Any ideas?
Oh, and OmarNYC, what makes you think I can't construct a landing page? I've got two web sites, and I always use landing pages. However, sometimes there's room for direct linking, opportunities which I snatch.
And I am supposed to know this from reading your one post?
The thing that makes me think you can't construct a landing page is because you seem to take the direct linking for granted, not looking to secure your position (with a landing page you wouldn't have this problem you have now). There is no real security in direct linking - what if the merchant wants to take your position (and on all bases, they can because the merchant's URL is their property)?.
With a landing page you can upsell the customer, capture an email for follow up, collect full user data via Analytics, so much more. You could even increase your current conversions with some work into copy.
No need to go on the defensive and feel as if I'm insulting you, I'm just showing you what I think is a better way of doing things.
[edited by: OmarNYC at 4:44 am (utc) on Aug. 22, 2008]
That's the real question... how to get your ad showing if the other affiliate is bidding $100?
1) Your assumption about the meaning of that keyword diagnostic message could be wrong. Recently, I've experienced the same message even though I have my own domain, site, and landing page. After investigation by my adwords rep, it turns out that the system has been showing that message in cases where it would have previously said "ads for this query are being shown by another one of your keywords" or similar. So, in short, it was a weird way to say 'one of your other, longer tail keywords is over riding the ability of your desired keyword to show.
2) If it's worth that much money, quit direct linking and make a simple site that can act as a backbone for your own self-hosted landing pages. If you're direct linking, the merchant's going to be able to see your highest-volume keywords in their referral logs anyway, and eventually just use them themselves. The long term play here is to make your own stuff anyway.
- How long did you leave the bid at $100? It may take a while for that to kick in.
- Are you sure your ads don't have a disapproved word in the ad? I've seen this occasionally. An existing ad has a word that used to be OK, but now it's been trademarked, or the trademark owner tells Google to restricts its use. You'd think the ad would go to unapproved status, but it doesn't always do this. You can change the ad and it won't flag the offending word. It's not until you remove this word (it's a guessing game), that your ads start to run again.
There's a lot of money to be made doing AdWords directly to the e-commerce site, hence it attracts a lot of players. You're not only competing against the other sites, but against the other affiliates of the same site. I'm not sure the data that Google uses to decide which affiliate's ad to show is just based on the bid price. I'll bet there is some ad history and click-through rates involved too.
Just because another affiliate outbids you doesn't mean they're necessarily making a better ROI because of it. If you keep your bid at your maximum bid point so that you're happy with your ROI if your ads are running, you may find one day that they are running again when the other affiliate realizes he's losing money bidding so much.
The problem with creating your own affiliate site that if it doesn't add something unique to the visitor experience, it will get hit with a low quality score as just another generic affiliate site.
That's my suspicion. I also think that this guy's got a new account. New accounts are given a high quality score and ad rank to begin with. Only after a week or two are the stats that they accumulate taken into consideration. I think that that's when I'll get my keyword back. At least I hope so, anyway.
thecloser: "Recently, I've experienced the same message even though I have my own domain . . ."
I know what you mean. The Ads Diagnostic Tool has been playing up a little of late, presenting inaccurate feedback. Some of my keywords have been affected, too. I spoke about it with an Adwords representative the other day. However, the keyword that I'm trying to win back has not been affected. It, and all its juicy profits, really has been taken by another advertiser.
thecloser: "If it's worth that much money, quit direct linking and make a simple site . . ."
That'll be a last resort. The conversion rate on this keyword was shocking. I don't think I can better it with a landing page.
wrgvt: "How long did you leave the bid at $100? It may take a while for that to kick in."
I left the bid at $100 till . . . today! It's still at $100! I haven't changed it.
wrgvt: "Are you sure your ads don't have a disapproved word in the ad? I've seen this occasionally. An existing ad has a word that used to be OK, but now it's been trademarked, or the trademark owner tells Google to restricts its use."
Yes, I'm certain. Plus, I think AdWords' trademarks policy has recently changed. Now, anyone can bid on trademarks. Upholding trademark restrictions has become solely the job of the trademark holder.
Guys, I appreciate your attempts to help. Unfortunately, my problem remains . . .
One thing I’m true believer into is that ad text is having more weight than ever, too much weight in my opinion.
And maybe you’ve got overridden by someone who has even stronger account, regardless your history.
If you exclude the possibility that something went wrong with your account, and that the ad diagnostic tool is giving you right information, then be patient and give your new ad some time. I say ad as in such cases you should not be creating more than one at the time (and serve).
On another note, while respecting your honest approach here (as your last resort), why expecting one guy getting it all? Give some of that dough to other folks as well. ;) ... and get over.
The campaign from your example is the sweetest one. TM that works in a ratio 1:2-20, meaning on every $100 spent, you earn $200-$2000.
Based on your screams, it must be some of the upper numbers.
Don’t take me wrong, I’m just trying to help in healing your “wounds” here. Look at that as a gift given to you by TM owner (for time being), don’t cry. In a few days, weeks, months, or whatever, they may simply close the TM and start cashing in themselves. ;)
Instead of staring into your AdWords and affiliate network account every hour (counting how much you’ve cashed in, or waiting for your ads to start showing again), spend some time on finding something similar, or even better, try to find 5 of such campaigns, possibly in a ratio 5:1 if you compare each to the one you just lost.
That way, if you lose one, you still have 80% of your total.
We all become lazy when we see how good our return is... and then BAMM! Anything can bring us onto our knees, including another fellow affiliate.
On a technical note, have you tried increasing you campaign daily budget?
Good luck!
expert vs. novice
The officer’s answer that makes me scream every time I remember this: “You were lucky.”
Man, does anyone know how many people is out there using AdWords... competing against each other.
what makes you think I can't construct a landing page? I've got two web sites, and I always use landing pages
And that's a pretty nasty response to someone who was trying to help you.
cyberandroid, maybe elsewhere threads get locked down, removed or censored on a motion to quash, but it doesn't work that way here.
There's still plenty of good to come, as long as there's a point that still needs to be made to people who just don't get it that the SERPs and ad placement and keywords don't "belong" to them or anyone except, as in this case, Google.
we all have had similar experiences whether with seo or ppc or affiliate marketing
i guess i forgot all the sleepless nights the first time another advertiser started bidding agressively against my best converting keywords
Put yourselves in my shoes . . .
What would you do if a keyword which was making you $100 per day was taken over? Would you try to get it back? I'm sure you would. And what if you failed? You would ask in a forum for advice, right? So what's the problem?!
smallcompany, yes, I tried increasing my daily budget when I increased my bid. Thanks for your advice.
thecloser, I'll try "moving on with life" when I want. What's your problem, anyway?!
jk3210, that was not a nasty response to OmarNYC but a straightforward one to a reply that I thought was dismissive.
cyberandroid, why are you asking for my thread to be locked? How would you like me to do the same for you?
Marcia: "There's still plenty of good to come, as long as there's a point that still needs to be made to people who just don't get it that . . . keywords don't "belong" to them . . ."
Marcia, I realise that I don't own the keywords, but does that mean that I should just give up? Of course not.
Marcia and cyberandroid, you both expressed empathy in your last posts. That's more constructive than your previous responses. I appreciate it.
As to this thread, maybe it should be locked, as all I'm getting is scorn from people who think that I should just give up and let someone else cash-in. Are you guys serious? Is that what you would do? Would you really think, "Hey . . . Forget it, dude. Let someone else get the $100 per day." I don't think you would. Internet marketing is a dog-eat-dog game. You think about how you're going to tear your competitors apart, not how you're going to let them take your most profitable assets. Get serious.
I make up to $400 per day. One quarter has been lost and I'm trying to get it back. Is that okay with you guys?!
For those of you who were helpful, I once again extend my gratitude.
had stolen my keyword and was now enjoying all the profits!
I think some of the negative responses were triggered by your repeated use of the word "stolen" ... as if the other bidder had done something wrong. That projected an unrealistic sense of entitlement.
if a keyword which was making you $100 per day was taken over? Would you try to get it back?
Of course.
If one-quarter of your income depended on one term, you should definitely try to go after it again, but it's also time to look for ways to diversify so that the ups and downs of any particular term won't have such a disproportionate effect.
its most probable however that for some unknown reason your account wasnt showing adds for a short time(budget exceeded, billing issues, something maintenance related, your account was reviewed)
and during said time the other direct linking affiliate stole your spot
its also possible that the other advertiser works directly for said site (even if the are using a similar tracking code to you) and got google to bump you for using there url in your ad
Que sera sera
Any update? My next question was going to be if you tried copying their ad but I see you tried that as well. With all other things being equal it seems that they somehow have a better overall account score (if there is such a thing) than you. Your theory about the new account would make sense too but I don't think it would last this long. Is there anything special in there destination URL? That shouldn't play a factor but you never know...
I've had trouble with this in the past a few times and never really figured out a definitive solution. Some came back and some didn't but I could never nail down what exactly allowed them to come back. There are SO many factors going into it these days it just makes it too hard to tell sometimes.
Sorry I don't have any better ideas. It would be nice to be able to figure this out.
-Mike
At other times I've stepped in and taken over ads for a particular product from another affiliate and not had any trouble hanging on to it forever.
In either case, I have no idea why because I don't know the specifics of my competitor(s). Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometime it's just not profitable to recapture an ad for a specific product via higher bids. Maybe the other guy's losing money and maybe he's not. Since the competitors and Google won't share their information with you, you're basically staring into partially-dark abyss.
The key to being successful in the affilate business is being able to adjust to changes. The e-commerce sites change the rules, AdWords and other PPC sites change the rules, and the market can make a popular product obsolete and an obscure product popular. If something stops working, you have to decide how much time and effort is worth it to make it work again, or if that energy is better targeted at finding a new product to feature with your ads.
The key to being successful in the affilate business is being able to adjust to changes. The e-commerce sites change the rules, AdWords and other PPC sites change the rules, and the market can make a popular product obsolete and an obscure product popular. If something stops working, you have to decide how much time and effort is worth it to make it work again, or if that energy is better targeted at finding a new product to feature with your ads.
Well said.
I think some of the negative responses were triggered by your repeated use of the word "stolen" ... as if the other bidder had done something wrong. That projected an unrealistic sense of entitlement.
Although strictly speaking no theft has occured, I can't help but employ such terminology. If it happens to you, you'll understand. I mean, how else can you describe the antics of affiliates these days? Campaigns are spyed on with the aim of finding keywords which have been running for a long time. As this is indicative of profitability, all efforts are then put into place to take over such keywords. Sure, the keywords are in no way owned by the original bidder, so usurping them cannot be deemed a theft. However, the person who knowingly takes them isn't exactly an angel, devoid of guilt, either!
Don't get me wrong, by the way . . . I'm not complaining. It comes with the territory. I've even done it myself - and quite a few times, I might add! However, for the past year or so, I have usually won. And in my experience, once a high historical CTR has been secured, it's near impossible for someone else to come in and take over. How the HECK, then, did this guy do it to me? And more importantly, how can I get it back? I have to find out . . .
Usually, all I do when this happens is up my bids a little. But in this instance, it hasn't worked. Nothing's worked! What the hell's goin' on?!
Anyway . . . I won't be giving up on this any time soon.
. . . it's also time to look for ways to diversify so that the ups and downs of any particular term won't have such a disproportionate effect.
I do that every day.
"sorry about the lock comment
Appreciated.
its most probable however that for some unknown reason your account wasnt showing adds for a short time(budget exceeded, billing issues, something maintenance related, your account was reviewed) and during said time the other direct linking affiliate stole your spot
Interesting . . . That is a possibility indeed.
Any update?
Apart from a few odd impressions - which is encouraging - nothing.
With all other things being equal it seems that they somehow have a better overall account score (if there is such a thing) than you.
That could very well be the case. However, my account history is surprisingly strong, so I doubt it is the case.
Is there anything special in there destination URL? That shouldn't play a factor but you never know...
No. He's linking to the same page as me.
In either case, I have no idea why because I don't know the specifics of my competitor(s). Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
I know. It's so frustrating, isn't it?! Since you can't see what the other affiliate's doing, you don't know what needs to be done. You try all sorts of things and hope that one of them works. You're always in the dark, which is annoying.
Guys, thanks for your help.
Is there anything special in there destination URL? That shouldn't play a factor but you never know...No. He's linking to the same page as me.
Well I know your final destination (Display URL) is the same but I was talking about the destination URL he's using to get there. Google shouldn't really care about this but I always do a right click, copy link location (in firefox) to see if I can pull any information about the competitor from that URL if it's not just a straight affiliate link.
-Mike
