I'm just moving everthing to Overture where at least it's transparent and I don't need to babysit it all day. Funny thing is the results are great. We've had record months since August and promises to be one hell of a Christmas season. But for Google...here's my lump of coal...cause you are not getting any more of my money...in fact you are getting a lot less. So it begs the Question Google... how's this workin for ya? I'd love to see the bottom line on this because I think they blew it on this entire system which is time costly, aggravating and plain stupid if you ask me.
Ok..I'm done... off my soapbox now. I'm sure their are Google defenders (like reps who work there) who can't wait to counter this. Whatever.
Due to the very general nature of the term we always bid 5¢ and received 50 to 60 clicks a day.
Under the new program we were asked to increase the bid to 10¢ which we did and then a few weeks later to 15¢ which, under great hesitation, we also did.
Over the weekend we were asked to increase it to 20¢. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I won't go there.
What I did do is activate content however I'm getting virtually no impressions.
I just logged in and now find this notice:
Keyword status change: 'Inactive' now applies only to search
AdWords has revised the 'inactive' status for keywords. Inactive keywords do not trigger ads on Google or the search network, but from now on they may continue to trigger ads on content sites if your campaign has the content network enabled. This change will help the AdWords system target ads more effectively to content network sites. Keywords formerly marked 'inactive' will now be marked 'inactive for search.'
I know why this event has occurred. Our president in recent weeks has picked fights with Bush, Pat Robertson & the president of Mexico.
There have obviously been a lot more searches for this term by casual surfers and the percentage of searchers interested in our tourism related term are fewer.
What I don't understand is why the algo does not take into account long term results and adjust for news spikes?
Anyway in the billions of dollars that G earns my $5 a day won't be missed however I'll be out those visitors that might not have found me any other way.
If we improve our 'quality score' though apprently this cost comes down or is negated? Can't say I've ever seen this happen, and AFAIK we can't even see our quality score anyway, sounds like some 'mystical factoer' to me.
At the moment I am much prefering Overture, with being able to see competitiors prices, positions, everything it really makes it very useful.
I really do wonder why G did this and how well they are doing from these random changes.
it is pretty odd that the system is doing that though. google have bugs in their systems just like everybody else. might be worth having a chat with support.
Would you care to try that:-)
What if your competitor decides to join in and bid $4.99?
correct me if i'm wrong...but, if you are having to bid $5 per click and there are no other advertisers then you will pay around $0.05 per click?
No. As per the minimum bid policy you would pay $5 and not $0.05.
