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Political Advertising

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:32 PM permanent link on Monday, June 23, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

I haven't ever thought about running a PPC campaign for political campaigning. Found an interesting article by Greg Meyers. Worth reading.

www.semgeek.com

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What about adding negatives to your AdGroups?

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 9:09 PM permanent link on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 | Post a Comment | 1 comments

It is seen that people are adding all broad-matching keywords without negatives. Broad match can create thousands of search results and majority of them will not be relevant to your ads. So its a powerful way to include negatives. You can include -ves either in campaign level or in adgroup level. That will help to stop your ads from showing for irrelevant searches. So find maximum negatives for your keywords.

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Targeting homepage only?

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 3:51 AM permanent link on Monday, June 16, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

It is not advisable to send all your traffic to your home page. Suppose you are a florist and running an online floral ordering site. It will not convert much if you are dropping people who are searching for "orchid" in your homepage which contains details about hundreds of flowers. It is better to drop them in a page which contains details about most wanted orchid species like Anguloa, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Laelia etc. Give website user the opportunity to find their result at first click. A messy home page will tempt them to close that site and go back for a new search. Remember you have to pay for each click. Better send the visitors to the page they asked for in the first click itself.

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What you think Content Network should be on in adwords?

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:57 PM permanent link on Friday, June 13, 2008 | Post a Comment | 1 comments

In Google's default settings, there's a content search and bidding option. If you want to use that, my recommendation is to give a lower bid than the search bidding. Content network is not right for every business. If you are keeping the place for content bid blank, Google will assume your maximum CPC of search network as content bid and a significant portion of your daily spending limit will flow that way without much conversions. Place a lower CPC for content network when you start your campaign. If it seems working effectively, you can gradually increase your bids. It's better to review daily report of your keyword performance in search and content networks.

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Is it possible to mention a keyword or phrase after display url?

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 9:12 PM permanent link on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Whether it is possible to mention a keyword/phrase after display url? I had this doubt till yesterday. Because when we read the google adwords adcopy guidelines, we see - "Display URL must be accurate: Your Display URL must accurately reflect the URL of the website that you are advertising". I posted this question in google forum and got some replies.

Yes. Now I understood. Google doesn't mind anything that we put after the slash(/) in display url. So just give your important keyword after the display url to make it more clear. I don't no how long google will allow this. :)
If you have time create a page for that important keyword or phrase and target that also.

This link will give you a detailed explanation about this issue.

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Recent changes in Adwords My Client Center

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:43 PM permanent link on Monday, June 9, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Some changes have made to Google Adwords - My Client Center (MCC) Dashboard

"We've made some changes to make managed account information more accessible and useful from the highest levels of the MCC. Performance and Budget statistics for managed accounts are now broken into separate tabbed pages, giving you a faster view of key stats across managed accounts without requiring you to drill down for further information.

On the Performance page, you'll find stats on clicks, conversions and conversion rates, as well as separate columns for Search and Content CTR, allowing for easier comparison of performance based on network placement. On the Budget page, you'll find detailed information about start and end dates, percent of budget spent and total spend for each account. MCC performance statistics will now be more frequently updated (within 2-3 hours). Please take some time to put the new MCC Dashboard to the test, and tell us what you think by following the feedback link on your MCC."

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Track your Adwords TV Ads Campaign with Google Analytics

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 1:08 AM permanent link on | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Couple months back we reported Google announcing TV Ad Campaigns. People can advertise their product on TV with the help of Google. This works similar like the Adwords campaign that is run online. Adwords run online in Google search results or content partner sites but TV ads will be produced for TV channels. After it was first introduced now Google has provided an effective Monitoring system where the Ads can be tracked online.

If you have Google Analytics connected to your Google Adwords campaign you can view the TV ad campaign in Google Adwords Control panel and also monitor the progress of the Ad, potential conversions etc. This is an effective progress in the right way.

Correlations with your existing Adwords campaign and the TV ads campaign can be effectively compared and monitored into your Google Account.

What is Google TV Ads?

Google TV Ads is a flexible, all-digital system for buying more accountable and measurable TV advertising. Using the familiar AdWords interface, you can launch a TV advertising campaign in minutes.

Google now offers a promotion campaign where you can have upto 2000$ off on your Ad creation this is a very good option since creating ads are a costly option these days. To avail the Adwords promotion campaign please go to this URL

PPC Blog Team





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What is pay-per-action (PPA) advertising?

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:41 PM permanent link on Sunday, June 8, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Pay-per-action (PPA) advertising is a new pricing model by Google. It allows advertisers to pay only when specific predefined actions are completed by a user on their site. Normally an advertiser is charged for clicks in PPC program. But in PPA, an advertiser can choose to pay when -

-a user makes a purchase
-signs up for a newsletter or
-completes any other predefined action that they choose.

Google content network will show Pay-per-action ads in two ways as:

In publisher-defined ad units
Individual publishers those who feel that a PPA ad will give well appeal to their users. Chosen ads will display in selected ad units of the publisher.

In standard AdSense for content ad units
Ads will be targeted to publishers' websites & displayed automatically in AdSense for content ad units. There will be a competition among these ads, cost-per-click and cost-per-thousand impression ads.

I will update more about this topic later.

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Adwords editor 6.0 Released

Written by power @ 12:41 PM permanent link on | Post a Comment | 2 comments

Adwords editor 6.0 released with lots of new features and upgrades.
Following changes are in Adwords editor

"

Account statistics
Export statistics to CSV: You can now export a CSV file that includes performance statistics. First download the statistics, then go to the File menu > Export to CSV.
Update minimum CPC bids: To refresh the minimum CPC bids for your keywords, click 'Get Recent Changes > Include Min. CPC Bids.' Note that this option takes more time than the basic 'Get Recent Changes' option.
Improved stats download: When you select an interval with 'Choose Stats Interval,' AdWords Editor downloads fresh statistics and displays a progress bar during download. Editing tools
Spell check: Check the spelling of text fields (such as keywords and ad text) by right-clicking the field and selecting 'Spell check this field' in the right-click menu. Available for English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Dutch.
Append text: Add text before or after existing text in a specific column, for all selected rows. Select the rows you want to edit, then click the 'Append text' link at the bottom of the edit pane. For example, add the word 'New' at the beginning of the headlines in your selected text ads. Learn more about this tool.
Drag and drop: Now you can drag and drop ad groups within the tree view. To move an ad group, select it in the tree view and drag it to another campaign. To copy an ad group, select it and drag it while holding the Control key.
Use formula words in the Replace Text tool: Review these instructions before using this advanced feature. AdWords feature support
CPC placement targeting: Create a new CPC placement-targeted campaign or edit your CPC bids for placements. Placement CPC campaigns are labeled [Placement CPC] in the tree view.
Conversion Optimizer campaigns: You can download Conversion Optimizer campaigns and edit their contents (keywords, bids, ads, and ad groups). However, it isn't possible to enable or disable the Conversion Optimizer in AdWords Editor. Learn more about support for bidding options in AdWords Editor.
Ad group negative sites: Add and update negative sites at the ad group level. Duplicate keywords
Select duplicate keywords: After running Find Duplicate Keywords, you can now quickly select all the duplicates that meet certain criteria. Click 'Select duplicates by' in the tab tool bar and choose one of the menu options. For example, select all the duplicates with the lowest CTR, then edit or delete them as needed.
Sorting duplicate keywords: Now when you sort duplicate keywords, the groupings are preserved. AdWords Editor sorts within each group, and also sorts the groups themselves. AdWords Editor settings
Diagnostic logs: Diagnostic logging is a troubleshooting mode. When enabled, it creates reports that can help our engineers better understand technical issues you may encounter. Go to the Tools menu > Settings.
Show posting progress: When this option is enabled, AdWords Editor displays a progress bar when you post changes. You can also disable this option to help decrease the time it takes to post your changes. Go to the Tools menu > Settings. Other updates
Advanced search: Add and remove restrictions for your advanced search. In the dialog, click 'Add' next to the Settings or Performance Statistics fields. Once you've added one or more restrictions, click 'Remove' to remove them.
Tab structure: The four tabs for ads (text, image, local business, and mobile) are now grouped under a single 'Ads' tab. This update was also included in version 5.0.1.
Backup archives: AdWords Editor automatically creates a backup, including unposted changes and comments, when you re-download an account with 'Get Full Account.' You will also be prompted to back up accounts before upgrading from version 6.0 to a subsequent release.
Updated keyboard shortcuts:
Replace text in selected items with Ctrl+H (formerly Ctrl+F).
Append text to selected items with Ctrl+Shift+H.
Move to basic search box with Ctrl+F.
Open advanced search with Ctrl+Shift+F (formerly Ctrl+Shift+S). See more updated shortcuts for Windows and Mac.
www.google.com/support/adwordseditor/bin/static.py?page=release_notes.html

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Importance of Keyword Research

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:56 PM permanent link on Thursday, June 5, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Keyword research is simply the selection of best performing keywords which can bring visitors to your website. You may have wasted thousands of dollars on page ranking and conversions if the right keyword phrases are not targeted. Keywords are the back bone of both PPC and SEO. Even if you attain high search engine rankings, you may not get appropriate traffic if the selected keywords are not right.

So, the key steps in any PPC or SEO campaign are as follows

1) Identify your target audience
2) Imagine yourself as a visitor and think what keyword phrases you might be searching and list them.
3) Identify the site focus
4) Now implement your keywords effectively.

4 Important steps of keyword research process

1) Discovering Keywords

2) Analyzing Keywords

3) Selecting Keywords

4) Set up Keywords

In discovering phase, we have to focus on identifying as many keywords as possible that are related to your website and target audience. In analysis phase, add information about existing competition and limitations. In selection phase, we have to choose the most relevant keywords (keep target audience and site focus in mind). In set up phase, make maximum use of your selected keywords on your Adcopy, website content, HTML code and tags.

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Webmaster reports decrease in Adcenter conversion.

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 12:54 PM permanent link on | Post a Comment | 0 comments

A webmaster world member reports that he sees decrease in conversion rate in Adcenter advertising.

"Well, i'm just about over my excitement for adcenter. I have campaigns that are product relevance targeted and pushing a specific deal. For example keyword "widget brand model" "buy now at #*$!x"
I've received over 200 clicks and not a single conversion on adcenter.
Yahoo its a 2.2% conversion rate - break even. Adsense is 3.9% conversion rate - break even. (higher cost) Adcenter is a 0.0% conversion rate.
Adcenter = darn near 100% bounce rate and less than 30 second visitor rate
Yahoo and Adsense both had very LOW bounce rates and often more navigation pages - view TOS/Warranty/Refund policies and such.
Yahoo had a 100% first day purchase (thus far) Google had a 60% first day purchase, 10% second day purchase and 30% > 3 day from first visit purchase.
So with that said, yahoo seems more spontaneous, google users like to shop around and dig around the site more and adcenter doesn't appear to be human visitors for my targeted electronics/technology/home audio/video/gaming/entertainment spectrum :)
adcenter did work "ok" before - it was a low enough cost but i'm wondering if that was just random traffic from a now defunct traffic partner or incentive adcenter may have had. "


webmasterworld.com/msn_adcenter/3596353.htm

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Useful Links Related to PPC

Written by Jinu Sunil @ 8:37 PM permanent link on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

https://www.google.com/adsense/login

Google Keyword Selection Tool
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

Yahoo Search Marketing Login Page
https://marketingsolutions.login.yahoo.com

Microsoft AdCenter Login Page
https://adcenter.microsoft.com

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Yahoo Search Marketing will edit your account without your permission.

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 1:54 PM permanent link on | Post a Comment | 0 comments

Yahoo search marketing recently made major change to its TOS where it allows their employees to edit ads without the users permission

"OPTIMIZATION. In the U.S. only, for those advertisers not bound by an Insertion Order, we may help you optimize your account(s). Accordingly, you expressly agree that we may also: (i) create ads, (ii) add and/or remove keywords, and/or (iii) optimize your account(s). We will notify you via email of such changes made to your account(s), and can also include a spreadsheet of such changes upon your written request. If you would like any of such changes reversed, please reply to such email within 14 days of the change(s), and we will make commercially reasonable efforts to reverse the change(s) you specifically identify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you remain responsible for all changes made to your account(s), including all click charges incurred prior to any reversions being made. It is your responsibility to monitor your account(s) and to ensure that your account settings are consistent with your business objectives. "

Don't know how ethical it is but i am sure this is not the right thing to do since its a blatant invasion of account privacy

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Effective landing pages - some tips

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 11:07 AM permanent link on | Post a Comment | 0 comments

I have some ideas how i make the landing pages effective. Most of the time we use topic specific landing pages for clients. For example for a perfume site we create 1000 keywords with 1000 different landing pages. Since the site has so many landing pages we need to make sure the pages possess proper qualities.



some key points you can take when setting up landing pages are



1. Make sure the page is very relevant to the keywords advertised if you are setting up an ad for a particular product make sure the product is relevant to the page and the landing page is the exact page about the product.

2. Make sure title , keywords, Meta tags are relevant to the keyword phrase advertised. Also the page copy should be relevant since it ad to quality score.

3. If possible add your contact number, email id visible on the page it helps in building up trust.

4. A visible link to your privacy policy helps too.

5. Apart from email ID and contact number you can make sure your address and other company information is present on the page or not more than 1 level from that page.

6. Remember to add the order button or Add to cart in well visible areas. Make sure it stands out and decorate it with arrows or something attractive.

7. Include some effective quotes from famous people it helps the credibility of your landing page.

8. Load time is important for a good landing page make sure your page loads really fast it also helps in Google quality score.

9. Pop ups and disturbing layer are something which Google hates refrain from using it.

10 . A page with good navigation helps with good Quality score make sure your page can be navigated properly.

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Paying for clicks how much do you pay for clicks in adwords?

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 1:45 PM permanent link on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

I always wondered what different people pay for their clicks in Adwords. We manage about 20 campaigns and the average click ranges from 0.3 $ to 15$ per click. For some niche areas we spend atleast 3$ per click and 1000$ budget we set for that client runs out just in 4 hours. Similarly for an other client we set the Max CPC to 7$ and the average position is 1-2 .

Average CPC for his site is around 5$ and his budget of 1000$ runs out in less than 2 hours. But the phone keeps ringing that time since most of the clicks area valid and people tend to call the number listed during that time.

One thing i have noticed is our ads never went below 0.3$ which is very surprising i have seen many webmasters report clicks in the range of .05 cents to 15 cents but the Business areas we work on never had clicks in that range. I feel its because we tend to bid for higher spots and we have spend more for higher spots.



Any one else have active campaigns getting clicks less than .10 dollars please post here



PPC blogger

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adCenter and Free Credit 75$ for running ads

Written by Search Engine Genie @ 12:33 PM permanent link on Sunday, June 1, 2008 | Post a Comment | 0 comments

A forum member

is willing to help with any MSFT adCenter related questions in SEO chat forums. If you want to see his website visit adcenterweb.blogspot.com

His post

"
I am a little disappointed to see the lack of interest in the adCenter threads. I am wondering if this is because of lack of experience with it, or if some have had bad experiences. I have been working with MSFT and adCenter to assist anyone who would like to start using adCenter, but has questions or concerns. Feel free to PM or respond to this thread, and I will be happy to assist you in any way I can. Both good and bad experiences with this program are welcome. For those not familiar with adCenter, it is Microsoft's pay per click program, similar to Google adwords or Yahoo Search Marketing. While it has been true that it may not bring you the volume of traffic that these other programs can, but we have found consistently that adCenter brings more targeted traffic, and has lead to a better conversion rate. With adCenters cost per click running MUCH lower in many areas, this means that you can have more sales with less money spent on advertising!I also have a $75 Free adCenter Coupon at adcenterweb.blogspot.com that anyone is free to use. Unlike some who choose to spam forums with their free credit links and run away, I will gladly stay around to answer any questions or help out however I can. If I don't know the answer right away, I will ask my MSFT contacts and get your answer. Right now, this offer is open new account holders in the US, and there is a $5.00 charge to activate the account. After setting up your new account and making the payment, your $75 credit should show up in your account within a couple of days (most times, it is there in a few hours)."

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