This week the content network seems to have gone entirely dead for several accounts we manage. Not just for one adgroup or one campaign - but for the entire accounts. These accounts had previously been working fine for months or years in some cases. Now they've received zero impressions for the last several days. No emails from Google or anything posted in the accounts themselves to the effect that anything's wrong.
Anyone else experiencing anything like this? AWA - do you know about any potential Google technical issues this week?
Thanks.
-Mike
AWA - do you know anything about this/can you find out? Thanks!
I don't mean to underplay it, but on WebmasterWorld if a lot of folks are experiencing something similiar, I would expect to see quite a few more "Same thing for me" posts.
Anyone else besides bryson and IM_Mike?
AWA
Unfortunately I feel like there is nothing I can do. I'd contact support again but I'm afraid of the headache they'll give me again. I can't hear "normal fluctuations" and then get directed to the optimizing for content help section again without going crazy. Ugh! Ok, sorry, had to vent a little there. :)
Anyway, if there is any info you could dig up that could be helpful it would be MUCH appreciated.
-Mike
-Mike
I understand why both were turned off. The first had some unrealistic weight loss statements and probably had a bogus before/after picture and blog. In their case, the quality score went to 1 and minimum bids went to $10. But it was obvious that a switch had been flipped somewhere - they had zero traffic.
The second site is a legitimate business but the squeeze page language is all about "get rich" and offers a free report. The overall website really doesn't fit Google's typical requirements (privacy policy, about us page, actual product information, etc.). There was a pop up on the landing page which triggered a human review which flipped the switch and turned off the account.
I really wanted to find out more about what was going on so I made calls to Google asking questions for both of these accounts. At first, Google support did the standard run through (billing looks good, lets take a look at quality scores, landing page, etc.). I'm the one that said, "could it be related to a rumor I've heard about Google shutting down certain websites". My rep had to check on that - but the answer was yes - in both cases.
I really don't think Google is being unfair with the two sites I looked at. I did some research and a lot of similar sites are still running but they also follow Google's guidelines (contact pages, privacy policies, etc.) and they don't make unrealistic claims on their websites.
In both cases that I dealt with, I recommended major overhauls of their landing pages then I suggested that they contact Google to ask for a 2nd chance based on their changes or to start over with a new account and new domain name.
I'll string up the 'me too' posts.
I've seen this in the past week.
I've received about a dozen emails about this from advertisers who do a huge amount of content ads.
I heard about this in the AdWords seminar in San Diego last week from a few attendees.
It does seem to be roughly 80% affiliate accounts who I'm hearing this from; but have heard it from some non-affs as well.
I heard from some large CPA affiliates that there were technical issues at Google (they had heard this from G reps; but it's 2nd hand to me) and they were waiting for resolution/response.
I'll look into this, and pass the feedback since February 24 along to the right teams.
AWA
I have 7 online campaigns with a limit of at least $1,000/day spend.. (I assume i am a serious advertiser)
2 campaigns for website A does continue as normal,
But 5 campaigns for website B completely stopped showing ads today.. Not even 1 impression.. All five campaigns are showing zero impressions and that's not a reporting issue, they really stopped.
What may be the reason so important for Google so they gave up on earning $360,000/year?
Hopefully the feedback I submitted earlier in this thread will be seriously considered...
-Mike
Based on what I know of recent issues and resolutions, I am reasonably sure that this is no longer an issue for any of you. Please let me know if I am not correct.
And, you have my belated apology for that 'content network prison feeling!'
AWA
<edit> Fix late evening tiredness-related errors </edit>
[edited by: AdWordsAdvisor at 3:06 am (utc) on Mar. 13, 2009]
-Mike
Thanks.
AWA: any progress being made on this issue? No change in our situation that we can see...
The best information I have says that this was resolved as of about the time of my last post - which seems to be borne out by the fact that I don't seem to be hearing of it anywhere else right now except in this thread.
As a a point of reference, I skim a great many advertiser emails every single business day (from advertisers at all levels of experience) precisely so I can keep my finger on the pulse of any emerging or persistent issues.
That said, since you are still having similar issues I'd advise working directly with AdWords support - starting with the contact link in your account - and giving them as much information as possible about both symptoms and timeline, along with details of any changes made to the account within this timeline.
By the way, these changes can be found in your 'My Change History' about which you may find more information here:
My Change History
[adwords.google.com...]
Also, this page from the AdWords Help Center may prove to be of use to you as a jumping off point for troubleshooting:
How can I make sure my ads appear on the Google Network?
[adwords.google.com...]
I am sorry that this remains an issue for you - and hope it can be resolved quickly.
AWA
The content network seems to be normal for the accounts I'm scanning (and a few had real issues).
