Adwords Traffic Esrtimator

Odd breakpoint in traffic estimates

[bankshot]

I'm new at this, so please bear with me.

In the Google traffic estimator, when I put in 40 cents as Max CPC for a specific keyword, the Estimated Average CPC is 40 cents, I get an estimated ad position of 1.1 and some estimated daily clicks. If I change the Max CPC to 39 cents or less, I get estimated CPC of zero, estimated ad position zero and zero for estimated daily clicks.

When I do a Google search with my keyword, there are from zero to three ads displayed, typically. I have never seen more than three ads. It seems to me I should have an average ad position of something like 2 or less, even for a max CPC of one cent! If I am happy to appear anywhere on the first page, would a max cpc of one cent do the job?

Anyone have any insight for this?

[alexsel]

If you haven't used the Traffic Estimator before, it's good to know that it makes estimates at best and straight up distortions of reality at worse. I wouldn't use it for a clear picture of reality, despite how enhance Google claims it has become over the years.

I've never bid one cent before so that's hard to say but I would imagine your ad rank would be so low Google may decide your ad does not qualify for 1st page display. Why don't you start by bidding 30 cents and see where that gets you. If competition is that low, between 1-3 advertisers, you shouldn't have a problem getting down to 20-30 cents. Also depends on the vertical you're in.

In paid search it's all about testing the waters. You need to be willing to take a hit to gain insightful information. Traffic Estimator may give you a hint, but don't go basing your business decisions around it.

Hope that helps,

Alex