Can't crack top position

Bidding 1st on exact, broad, and phrase

[Jmez]

We are widgets.com and are bidding on widgets at Google in exact, phrase, and broad. We're in the top position in just about every way that you search for widgets and we bid aggressively to stay there.

We are first for green widgets, small widgets, buy widgets, in every possible matching combination you could ever think of - anyway, you get the point.

One widget search where we can't crack the top position is when someone searches using a boolean search like: +widgets

Our broad match bid on widgets is a clear #1 and we are also bidding on widgets with a plus sign in front of it.

Any ideas why we can't gain the top spot here?

[mega]

Jmez,

I cannot answer your question but......

Can you please shed some light on how to dominate the first position in a fairly competitive market? you seem to have a grip on this,

example:

In one of my campaigns I am 5th place (5 advertisers only ) for the keyword [widgets]

The past 2 days I have been spending LOADS of money in attempt to 'take over' first place .. I am even appearing in the horizontal bar,

The advertiser who owns first place can afford to only spend the same amount I spend per click.. - maybe even less....

any ideas as to when I can drop my CPC and sit in first place? My ad is already better,

Any help is appreciated,

Mega,

[Jmez]

Mega,

I do not know your products and/or marketing copy, but I have found that having the following components will help you to reside in the top positions:

1. top-level domain in relation to your competitors
2. keyword matching options - exact match seems to work best for us when trying to maintain a top bidding position
3. time - sometimes it just takes awhile for the pecking order to be established. You have to send a message to competitors that you are willing stake your claim on a particular bidding position regardless of short term negative ROI.

[johnser]

Jmez,
Why not use JavaScript referrer tracking so you can see exactly the phrases that people are typing to find you with your KWs on broad match.

Perhaps I'm wrong but I very much doubt you're losing very many clicks at all (if any) with this problem?

Its a good Q though but sounds like a bug if you ask me.

[Bidman]

I agree Johnser. Jmez, sounds like you've got just about everything figured out. Why worry so much about something as minor as that? I only wish I had that much time on my hands and could get paid for that. Where do I apply? ;)