The Big Wave Blog

Ok…so, you’ve optimized your landing pages, created targeted ad groups, tested multiple versions of keyword-relevant ad descriptions, but you’re STILL struggling to get your paid search campaign out of the AdWords Quality Score basement. Don’t pull your hair out just yet!! Try these simple tests first:

1. Just like your computer, sometimes a campaign needs a restart. Download a copy of your current campaign and settings, then re-upload it into a new account and delete the old one. This might need to be repeated several times, but it has been known to decrease inflated CPCs by 45%, as well as activate certain “inactive for search” keyword phrases. Don’t forget, Google AdWords is a computer program, it’s not without flaws.
2. Upload a duplicate keyword list with a different match type into the same AdGroup. If your current keywords are exact matched, upload a duplicate keyword list in phrase match. This will generate more impressions and visibility, which likely translates into more clicks. Don’t delete your original list. Google will continue to display phrases from that list, typically at a lower cost when they are queried.
3. Quit using a lead generation form as your PPC landing page. One of Google’s company missions is to provide users with the most relevant and useful content available. It’s not to connect users with spammy lead generation forms from sleazy companies. Give good, relevant content, and users will stay on your site. A good avg. time on site will boost your AdWords Quality Score.

In my opinion, there are many SEO factors that have a major impact on AdWords Quality Score, and ultimately your PPC campaign performance. Gone are the days where awful website functionality and poor copy were able to rule top listings on Google’s Sponsored Links just by outbidding the competition. These days, I think quality on-site optimization and good off-site buzz count for a lot in paid search marketing.

This is an URGENT blog post to all paid search advertisers.
Phishing emails are being sent by phony companies posing to be Google AdWords. Currently, Google will send an email alert to advertisers if their credit card is declined. However, just recently, one of our clients recived an email from “Google” regarding their credit card being declined for insignificant funds. This email was sent out by a phishing company whose goal is to gain you login username and password by clicking a replicated link. However, I have not submitted my clients email to Google in any application (adwords, analytics, etc.) Here is a copy of one of the phishing e-mails that I have seen:

FAKE GOOGLE EMAIL:

From: Google-AdWords-Noreply [mailto:support@google.com] (FAKE! Google Email Address)
Subject reads: “Please Update Your Billing Information.”
Email body reads:
Dear Google AdWords Customer,

We were unable to process your payment.
Your ads will be suspended soon unless we can process your payment.
To prevent your ads from being suspended, please update your payment information.

Please sign in
to your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login <http://www.adwords.google.com.sessiocj.cn/select/Login> ,
and update your payment information.

————————————————————————————–
This message was sent from a notification-only email address that does
not accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message.
———————————————————————————————–

2008 Google Adwords

REAL GOOGLE EMAIL:

Here is the Official Google AdWords email address that is sent out to advertisers when reports are scheduled or alerts come up:
From: adwords-noreply@google.com (REAL Google Email Address!)
Body reads:
This message was sent from a notification-only email address that does
not accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message. If you
have any questions, please visit the Google AdWords Help Center at
https://adwords.google.com/support/?hl=en_US to find answers to
frequently asked questions and a ‘contact us’ link near the bottom of
the page.
————————
————————

Your AdWords account number: xxxx-xxx-xxxxx

Please be careful out there! Dont open or click on any links unless you confirm the email is real….Keep it real!

Yahoo Search Marketing Rant

OR

Where Has the Keyword Tool Gone?

Has anyone noticed that the Yahoo Keyword Tool is missing? It used to be available to any internet user, but has now disappeared from both its public webpage and within the Yahoo Search Marketing platform. I used to love using this tool, because it would produce different keyword combinations than the Google tool due to different user demographics.

I have performed numerous Google searches looking for it (no coincidence I’m not searching on Yahoo). The results show up in the SERPs, but the page that is linked doesn’t even load.

The Nail in the Coffin
Well, for me, it all started with Panama, Yahoo’s big, much anticipated update to their paid search marketing platform. We all know now that the Panama update never materialized into what search marketers were hoping for. Their biggest mistake: It no longer offers the main advantage that Yahoo once had over Google, which was being able to see the top 5 bids for each keyword phrase. Instead, they opted to implement a similar keyword phrase bidding structure, but the engine has failed to deliver the same results in terms of traffic and paid search effectiveness.

Got Mobile Advertising? The opportunity is calling you.
All the stars and planets are aligning for the Mobile Advertising battle that will ensue in the coming years. Mobile phone manufacturers continue to improve their products’ multimedia performance and web browsing interfaces. The cellular networks are not far behind in improving network speeds, and are constantly improving download speeds.

Staying ahead of the curve is always a good idea if you want to keep a competitive edge. As in any battle, victory will belong to those who are well-prepared: in this case, equipped with a strategy to take a bite out of the $14 billion dollar (it’s not a typo) mobile advertising market.

Here are some points about Mobile Phone Advertising that should get you thinking…

• It is the most personal form of advertising out there.
• Advertising in this medium will be successful as long as the user feels in control.
• The advertising window is tremendous. (How many hours a day do you have your mobile phone switched on in the same room as you? I’m sure it surpasses the number of hours you browse online or read print media.)
• Small Screen + Mobility = Less time to make a sale, but also tremendous opportunity for geo-targeted ads. Case in point: You are walking home from work and browsing for stock news, when a banner for a dinner discount at the restaurant across the street appears on your phone.
• Japan and the UK already have an edge with their superfast phones and networks, but the US market is catching up. Not surprisingly, BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) are among the fastest-growing mobile markets ripe for some targeted mobile advertising.

Q: Who is taking big leaps in this field?
A: Sir Richard Branson (a man living years ahead of his time).
Virgin Mobile created the first “pull” based Mobile Marketing program called Sugar Mama. It’s simple: users earn one minute for every minute they spend rating ads, surveys, or image content. For a lack of a better word, this is Bloody Brilliant Marketing!

What are you doing to get a piece of the Mobile pie?