Content network was dross

[Mark_A]

Just completed a trial of a display ad on the G content network. As I feared, with us being B2B, the sites on which our ad was displayed were totally inappropriate to the extent that I now worry for our reputation from being associated with them..

I shouldn't be disappointed, this was what I expected.

For me I want the background to my ads to be just the Google SERPS and nothing else.

I suppose that might rule out re-marketing also. Shame.

[engine]

Thanks for the update.

Horses for courses, I guess.

I admit, the content network is pushing the boat into the unknown, and it's never worked for any of my experiments, or even when someone asked for it to be included.

[Mark_A]

Perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh.

If you are selling something any consumer might buy online (a software game perhaps), the content network might be useful for you.

I wasn't so it wasn't :/

[engine]

I always believe in experimenting, just as you've done. That way you can know for sure if it works for you.

Yup, that's what i found, too.

Just looking at the ads appearing on the network, the ones that work best are probably remarketing, and B2C, imho.

[RhinoFish]

Targeting on the GDN is very complex, there's so much crap inventory available, and you have to go to great lengths to avoid it.
Dig deeper into "where my ads showed" and then try to set better targeting choices to avoid the crud you see in that report.
I know, easier said than done.
I mapped out 7 steps to avoid the nasty the other day for a friend, problem is, "nasty" is so subjective, it's hard to give everyone a checklist that would be right for them.

I'm just saying that the GDN is a great place to run ads, but man they make it so hard to avoid the garbage inventory that most people give up.