Thank you very much, not2easy, for your reply. No, I do not know the caller. I have some trust in her, in that she came across as genuine (she was either genuine or an extremely good actor). I heard the woman speak via radio.
Perhaps we should have a new headline on this topic: it appears that things have really changed. Many years ago, I created Google Ads (when they were "AdWords"). I noticed a phone number in small print at the top of the page. Eventually, for some reason I can't remember, I called and spoke to an advertising rep. I am certain that my budget was not more than C$100, because C$100 is approximately the total amount that I have paid Google between then and now. I had a great discussion with the rep. In fact,
I don't remember discussing anything about ads. We covered many topics.
The rep gave me several tips on search marketing, and I shared my knowledge with him. The sharing was equal on both sides. The most important thing I learned from the conversation was
how to get ranked on Google Business. It took me two years, but I did get ranked and often ended up at the top of the SERP, even more prominently than my regular organic search listing.
A few years ago, I
suggested that a client of mine call Google to get help with setting up his ad. He called, he spoke with a rep, and the rep set up the entire campaign for him. I am certain that the rep did all the work because my client had no technical skill in this regard and could not have done anything himself. Either I had to do it or Google had to do it. I suggested that my client call Google, to save him money, and it did — I would have charged him hundreds. I know that his ad budget was small because of the amount he was willing to spend on my services (less than C$500).
Recently I called Google Ads for technical reasons only. Initially, I was asked several questions, including
how high my ad budget was. A red flag went up. I said, "I don't know, because I am doing this for a client, and he hasn't decided." It's true: we were experimenting to see what kind of response he would get.
I was immediately put through to a Google Ads rep who told me to call back the next day.
As it turned out, I didn't have to call back. The technical issue resolved itself. It was just a matter of waiting for the Google machine to launch my campaign.
The biggest difference between my first encounter with Google Ads and now is that now, we are all greeted via telephone with a
robotic warning that the Google Ads rep will discuss only one thing: ads. My guess is that a lot of SEOs must have been bugging the advertising reps about organic (free) search, and Google had to crack down on the practice.
Here's what else you need to know:
- As soon as you enter the home page of G Ads, you are prompted to call for help.
- I set up my latest campaign (for my client) on Sept. 29. On Oct. 24, I got an email template from a G Ads "specialist" providing general info on how to optimize a G Ads campaign. The email contained the specialist's full name, his direct telephone number, and his email address. So far, the spend on my account is only C$22.43!
In light of the above-mentioned email template,
my inclination is to email my questions to the specialist and see if he provides the info I need. I think this is something that could easily be handled, initially, via email, instead of a phone call. If I don't get the info I need via email, I may have to call.
I would greatly value any additional comments or suggestions that my fellow WebmasterWorld subscribers may have. It's possible that we could get more help directly from Google itself, just by asking for it <smile>.
