Average position

AdWords real position different than in reporting

[smallcompany]

I'm watching a specific keyword over the last few days. I'm comparing its average position reported in the interface versus what I see in Ad Preview Tool. I'm also watching CTR and compare it to previous times.

This is what I get and what puzzles me:

With Average Position around 2 (in the past), that keyword would get CTR of anywhere between 4% and 7%.

Over the last few days, the reported average position is around 3 and CTR is around 4% to 6%. Whenever I check the keyword in Ad Preview Tool, ads are always showing on position 2, period. Language is English only and region is US. I tried querying it on different state base or even city, and it still always appears on a position 2.

Now I wonder where that firm position 3 in reporting is coming from. My max bid is lower than before.

What do you think?

Is it possible that position on other search partners can be 3? I know Ask had own ad on 1, followed by AdWords. AOL would serve AdWords only, so that should fit what we see in Google. Not sure about other networks.

Thanks

[ciscodebs]

Here are some things you should understand about the stats that AdWords reports. Keep in mind that Adsense For Search (AFS) is Google's Search Network (like Ask.com, AOL.com, etc.) and Adsense For Content is the regular Content Network.

Now regarding the Average Position reported by AdWords I got this in an email directly from Google:

"The stats that are excluded from the AdWords Front End, with regards to AdSense For Search (AFS) data, are Average Position & Quality Score. CTR, Impressions, & Clicks all contain AFS data."

Basically, your position on Google's search partners will not affect the Average Position reported through AdWords. However, a low position on one of the search partner's sites will lower your CTR. Keep in mind that this low CTR that you get from search partners does not affect your Quality Score.

I hope this helps and I'm sorry if I made this sound more confusing than it really is.

There are a couple of intricacies you should understand about the Ad Preview Tool but I have to run.

[smallcompany]

Would there be any difference how results are served in AFS vs. Google.com?

[Rehan]

Would there be any difference how results are served in AFS vs. Google.com?

Yes.
[webmasterworld.com...]

Besides that, you can also easily miss some geo-targeted ads when you're checking your own position.

[smallcompany]

Thanks.

geo-targeted ads

Here, I tried it many times by switching location on a city level. I always get same results in Ad Preview Tool.

In regards of adaptive results, again, I see same results in Preview Tool.

Here, I have to go back to my earlier request that Average Position needs be added into ad and ad group related reports.
In the interface, you clearly see Average Position for a period you’ve selected. If you try to get same data in reports, no way.
In addition, there is no way to get Hourly report with Average Position data in it. If we have Hourly option for keywords, we would get this request solved.

Seeing how our ads fluctuate (in positions) on hourly bases is very important in some campaigns.

Right now, certain data being presented in various reports is in a big disconnect.

Why?

[avalon37]

Here's the truth...average reported rank is 99.99% higher than in actuality. You wouldn't believe how many times I will check average previous day rank for a highly competitive keyword and see dramatic discrepancies. But here is what works in Google's favor....if you want to have a keyword always be say an average on 2.5 and Google reports it was 4.1 the previous day, the natural action taken by an advertiser is to raise their max bid correct? And that doesn't hurt Google now does it :) Always check your ranking before bidding to move up, b/c you'd be surprised what your REAL ranking is. And those who might say well there are tons of advertisers doing time of day bidding...the Google numbers are correct. Well no...they are not correct most of the time.