UK AdWords algorithm broken?

All ranking factors seem to be disregarded.

[subway]

I’m referring to a UK based ad campaign targeting google.co.uk…

Up until today I had a nice neat AdWords campaign going. Landing pages quality is all 7/10 upwards, negative keywords in place and minimising the wastage, CTRs 20% plus for all ads, keywords converting nicely, positions 1-3 for all keywords all the time. All in all a campaign that I was proud to log in to and admire.

Now, since today, I have noticed in the SERPS that my ads are sometimes 1-3, sometimes number 8, then 9, then 5, then 1, then 4, then 5, etc. (I haven't made any changes to the campaign settings.)

It appears that Google is randomly displaying everyone’s ads irrespective of the AdWords ranking algorithm including max CPC!

I’ve tried upping my max CPC to see if it makes a difference but nothing.

Anyone else noticed this?

[alexsel]

Sounds pretty major. Haven't heard or seen anything similar in the US but will let you know if I do.

[MrPaulMaddock]

Hi Subway,

Are you checking the SERPs yourself in a standard browser?

If that's the case the AdWords algorithm will try to put you in different positions to try and entice you to click.

The best way to admire your own work is to use the ad preview tool, which presents 'clean' results pages.

[subway]

Yes I was checking myself using FF, cookies and history clear everytime I close the browser, I wasn't signed in to Google. Was viewing as if I had just searched for the first time.

Anyway, just to update this post... things went back to normal - in AdWords terms at least - the next day. I think they were having a little play around, gathering some stats, etc.

[tutu]

google's technology is profound,wo only do our work better.

[subway]

Ok, they are at it again. Perhaps because it's a Saturday and they can get away with *most* AdWord campaign managers not noticing?

The AdWords SERPS are all backwards. Poorly written, less significant, lower bidding ads occupying the top 3 slots and the optimised, higher bidding ads in positions 7,8,9, etc.

Am I the only one seeing this?