Domain name showing in PPC for search

Not in the keyword list

[bwnbwn]

Not sure what to do here. For some reason Google is presenting our domain when it is searched for in the PPC area. I know enough to not bid this term as we are 1 with links. I am not really sure how to stop this. Not in keywords so can't pause it and I am not so sure I want to add it to negative keywords.
Suggestions?

[areyougellin]

If your goal is to suppress your ad from being served, why wouldn't you want to add that term or phrase to your negative keyword list?

That's what it's meant to do.

[bwnbwn]

This is what I thought. I am not bidding on anything close to my domain name so why would it show in PPC unless the title, descriptions, and url are now used as keyword terms when an ad is built.

Since it is showing in PPC I don't have it in the keyword area, not close to a broad match so what am I paying for this term, how to find out, and why would it show when I have I know higher search terms being disallowed due to low search volume.

[buckworks]

not close to a broad match

You'd be surprised how far Google reaches with the broad matching sometimes.

Make sure the unwanted word is in the negative keywords for every campaign.

[bwnbwn]

I have seen some really wild matches buck but looking (not sure reporting times) at todays clicks just no way the clicks that have come in are remotely close to a broad match for the domain (actually subdoamine) Also looking at what I paid is over 2 bucks a click so it cost me over 2 bucks for my domain search with no competition ads showing. Here I have an ad all by itself for a term that can't have enough volume to qualify paying 2 bucks a click please.

[alexsel]

If you know which ad group your ad belongs to all you have to do is add the negative keyword match there but you really shouldn't be paying $2 a click if someone searched for your exact domain which is why I don't think that's really it. Pull a search query report for the ad group and find out what search queries are prompting your ads to show.

[bwnbwn]

I will tomorrow as it doesnt look like the reporting is up to date.

[netmeg]

(FWIW my best converting and best ROI keyword is the domain name, both with and without the .com part. I happily run it even though the client is #1 in organics with 5 listings anyway)

[alexsel]

Which is another point that has been widely researched, whether one should bid on brand terms or not. We do it for all our accounts because tests have unequivocally shown an increase in profits. However, if you're bidding on brand terms, I would recommend staying away from broad match.

[bwnbwn]

Ahh food for thought thanks for the information. I am getting my feet wet after being out of PPC for 8 years.

[RhinoFish]

do you have an affiliate program? hahahaa!

[rwilson]

You'd be surprised how far Google reaches with the broad matching sometimes.

Oh do they reach...

Add some negatives and maybe use the modified broad match keyword to control how broad your terms are.

[bwnbwn]

Thanks guys a little off this topic but with adwords. I built a new ad with a killer landing page. The ad was disapproved. What the heck trademark was the reason. So I call support and ask her to look at the ad and tell me were a trademark could possibly come from this. She said this is no trademark problem and sent the ad for another view. Looking this am it is now approved. I just wonder before there was a way to reach support this would have remained a problem in the account.

[Planet13]

@ netmeg:

FWIW my best converting and best ROI keyword is the domain name, both with and without the .com part.

Is there any requirement for this to work? For instance, does the domain name have to have keywords in it? Or does it have to be well known via other means (like by ads in other channels)?

I guess what I am asking is that if no one knows who you are, and your domain name isn't full of keywords, is there still a benefit to bidding on your domain name?

Which is another point that has been widely researched, whether one should bid on brand terms or not. We do it for all our accounts because tests have unequivocally shown an increase in profits.

So if you sell widgets made by Brand X, they you should bid on "Brand X Widgets"? Even if lots of other retailers sell (and bid on) Brand X Widgets?

Or do you mean if it is YOUR brand (if YOU are Brand X), then you bid on your OWN brand?

Thanks in advance.

[LucidSW]

>> if no one knows who you are, and your domain name isn't full of keywords, is there still a benefit to bidding on your domain name?

In my opinion, no. Those who search on domains are a very small percentage for one thing and - how should I put it - less knowledgeable about how to use their browsers and the Internet. Not that they can't become customers but do you want to pay even a cent or two for clicking your ad, especially since you're likely ranking first for your own domain and they are just as likely to click that?

On the other hand, your ad could be more attractive and pre-sell making conversion rates go up. You could also use it as a tracking device. More searches on your domain would mean you're getting more popular and better know, right? That's good information to have. Same thing for your own brand(s) which you'll be doing anyway I guess.

[netmeg]

I bid on the company name and/or domain name regardless of whether or not there's keywords in it. Because the competition is bidding on it.

However, none of my clients sell products made by other brands (well, one sells one product that's made by someone else, but we don't advertise it that way)

Whether or not there's any benefit to bidding on your own name depends on your circumstances, but there probably isn't any harm.

Look in your analytics - are people searching for your name? If not, then you might as well bid on it, because you're not going to run up a lot of money in AdWords, but you're there in case they do. (Plus you can get out to the other sites in the Search Network if you want)

If people ARE bidding on your domain name, then if you are doing it right, you should have a 10 QS, and only have to pay very small amounts for clicks anyway, and show up ahead of your competitors who are bidding on your name as well.

So the risk is pretty minimal, in my opinion.

[alexsel]

So if you sell widgets made by Brand X, they you should bid on "Brand X Widgets"? Even if lots of other retailers sell (and bid on) Brand X Widgets?

Or do you mean if it is YOUR brand (if YOU are Brand X), then you bid on your OWN brand?

Thanks in advance.

I was referring to own brand, yes.

[alexsel]

In my opinion, no. Those who search on domains are a very small percentage

They can be. They can also be a very significant and highly profitable part of your search engine traffic. Netmeg provided a good argument that if your competitors are bidding on your brand, you need to be there as well so they don't snatch your clicks share. I know several brands, where competitors have ads in top placement. Even if not a single competitor was bidding on your brand, our research shows that you get a significantly higher overall CTR on page with paid search ads included. The message could be more compelling, more promotional etc. so you're truly harnessing the power of your brand.

And again, the fact that you are bidding on your brand is a sign of legitimacy in my view. It shows that you're willing to spend money to highlight your business. I'd take that more seriously than someone who wasn't.

[Planet13]

@ netmeg:

Sorry I am quite the abecedarian when it comes to this, and I am not sure I understand quite yet...

I bid on the company name and/or domain name regardless of whether or not there's keywords in it. Because the competition is bidding on it.

Just so I understand, you are bidding on the names of the manufacturers whose products you (or your clients) sell, for example, "nike.com" or "ford.com", or sometimes just "nike" or "ford" - is that right?

If that is right, how in the world do you convert on such a broad term? You must have a heck of a landing page...

[netmeg]

My clients *are* the brands. They're the manufacturer for 95% of their product lines, and the products that they don't manufacture, we just don't use brand names on those.

But I bid on the client's company name, and the client's domain name, always.

(I have been known to bid on competitors company name and domain name as well)

If I were reselling Ford or Nike products - well in the first place, I wouldn't be, because there's no good reason I would make any money at it - but if I were, I probably wouldn't be using PPC anyway. Cause I'm not gonna out-bid or out-QS Ford or Nike, no matter how good I am.

[Planet13]

My clients *are* the brands.

Ahh... Thanks for the clarification.