Content or Search with Google AdWords?

[Boswell]

I've been warned off by experienced SEO guys not to use Content for placing AdWords - a quick way of paying for timewasters, perhaps.

I can see that in theory I can choose sites on which I want our AdWords to appear, and with that in mind, my question is: when I suggest to Google a site run by a competitor, can they (the competitor) choose not to run our AdWords?

I wouldn't have thought they (the competitor) had any control?

[Mike Seddon]

If you are talking about Adsense, which I think you are, then yes they can choose which advertisers they choose to run on their site.

It's been a while since I looked at the Adsense interface but from memory they just choose to block certain advertisers.

[sm911]

I've been warned off by experienced SEO guys not to use Content for placing AdWords - a quick way of paying for timewasters, perhaps.

Google Adwords Content network is better to use if you're launching a new product/service or a new company, promotions and for branding.

[Boswell]

Mike, my terminology is probably wrong.

I've started an AdWords campaign, and my problem is that I need to reduce my Content clicks, as they're high compared with the Search clicks. The automatic Content placements generated by Google are mostly useless for us.

As I'm placing AdWords, I can choose to delete the unrelated Content placements in the Automatic section, and manually place my AdWords in Manage Placements.

Placing my AdWords on any competitor sites is obviously an advantage for us.

As far as competitors are concerned, who accept AdWords on their sites (AdSense?) I was curious to know whether they can block our ads appearing on their sites. To answer this definitively I guess I'd have to open an AdSense account. But you've given me the answer, I think.

One technique I've used, and I'm sure there are better ways of achieving the same thing, is to search Google for my 'product' plus 'Ads by Google'. This gives me sites on which it makes sense to place our AdWords - these are competitors accepting ads for our generic products, and it makes sense to advertise there.

Hence my question about whether they can block us.

[Mike Seddon]

Are you running both content and search in one campaign?

That's a big no no. It's costing you money.

To your main question though, yes they can block your ads because the are showing on their site through the Adsense interface and as I remember that allows them to block anyone they choose. Of course they have to spot you first..

[Mike Seddon]

Google Adwords Content network is better to use if you're launching a new product/service or a new company, promotions and for branding.

Really. Why?

[Barry]

Just to confirm what Mike mentioned.

Yes in my adsense account I have a 'competitive ad filter' that I can enter urls that I dont want appearing in my content units.

So effectively you could target a site as a content site in your adwords - but if they saw your ads and objected to them they could filter them off their site.

Ta

Baz

[Mike Seddon]

Just to confirm what Mike mentioned.

Yes in my adsense account I have a 'competitive ad filter' that I can enter urls that I dont want appearing in my content units.

So effectively you could target a site as a content site in your adwords - but if they saw your ads and objected to them they could filter them off their site.

Ta

Baz

That's how I remember it. Thanks

[Barry]

The Content network is great for creating brand awareness especially if you use banner graphics for your campaign - that way your brand can be viewed (though not clicked or costing) and you still create brand awareness.

Ta

Baz

[skeeter]

I don't see what people get all caught up about.

It's simple. Spenditure versus Results. If you're not getting results there is a problem. If you spending and not getting any buyers then you have a naff product or presentation.

This is simple logic? No?

Advertising doesn't get any more simple than paying when somebody clicks an advert. What's the problem?

There is no science behind it...just pay for click, I would like to see
a) Your advert
b) Your landing page
c) Whatever it is you are selling
d) What returns you are generating (if poss)

The above is easy to sovle.