Bid prioce/actual price

Can't understand it

[ChrisXenon]

I have some ads and I'm bidding 40c Max CPC.
My ads are appearing low down on page 1 - average position 9.6, and I'm being charged 33c and 34c.

Why aren't I being placed higher and charged 40c?

Thanks,
Chris

[pacman2]

because there are some advertisers willing to pay $1+ per click...

[ChrisXenon]

Thanks for making time to respond pacman.

I think I understand but I'm not certain.

Are you saying that I am at position 9.6 because everyone else above me is paying more than 40c, and everyone below me is paying less than 34c,
and no-one is bidding between 34 and 40c?

I guess that would explain it.

[poster_boy]

I can't link to the many articles, but nevertheless search for "Quality Score" and "Ad Rank" for substantially more info, Chris.

Here's a preview:

Quality Score: This is the basis for measuring the quality of your keyword and determining your minimum bid. Quality Score is determined by your keyword's clickthrough rate (CTR), relevance of your ad text, historical keyword performance, the quality of your ad's landing page, and other relevancy factors.

Ad Rank/Positioning: An ad's position is based on its Ad Rank, which is determined by your keyword or Ad Group's maximum cost-per-click (CPC) times the matched keyword's Quality Score.

[ChrisXenon]

Poster_boy. thanks for this. I just spent an hour or so reading relevant posts. As usual, I get that sinking feeling. My summary on all things Google is this:

1. Google is the only game in town
2. The rules of the Google game are not well understood
3. The rules of the Google game change often

- I have to play, but I cannot win. What fun!

I wonder if Google are recruiting....