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Monday, November 19, 2007



Google Changes Site-Targeted AdWords Campaigns

Google has changed the name of its "site-targeted" AdWords campaigns to "placement-targeted." We're not sure of the reason behind the name because it's the same thing it was before - a way for advertisers to advertise on specific web sites that are part of Google's content network, rather than on Google's search results pages. Perhaps the name change relates to Google's ongoing efforts to expand its advertising platform beyond just web sites, into areas such as radio and newspaper. Who knows.

The only difference, as far as we can tell, is that you are now allowed to bid on a cost per click ("CPC") basis for content ads, in addition to the existing method of bidding per thousand impressions ("CPM"). There have been occasions when our effective click cost for CPM campaigns was less than CPC, and there have been times when it was more. We like the fact that Google now gives you the option of bidding either way. It gives the advertiser more flexibility to try different bidding strategies and see what works best.

On a related note, we have noticed that Google's pay per action platform has been down for quite a few days now. We have one client using PPA (it is only available to select large advertisers), and we are beginning to see some very nice results with it. Our cost per acquisition is substantially lower than with pay per click. We aren't generating nearly as many total conversions as with pay per click, but we'll take a cheap conversion any way we can get it. But what is the deal with it not working? Is Google shutting it down already because they're not making enough money with it? We'll see.

If you need some help managing your Google paid search campaign, contact Work Media at 888-299-4837 or email Info@WorkMedia.net.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007



Google Set to Launch Pay Per Action - the Next Phase in Search Engine Marketing

There is a growing trend in online advertising toward "pay-per-action". Pay-per-action is a pricing model in which the advertiser pays a specified amount of money for the completion of some action on his web site, such as a sale or newsletter signup. There are some ad networks that have already begun selling advertising in this matter, but now Google is getting ready to enter the market, so it's about to take off.

The ads will run on Google's content network, and Google content partners can choose what ads to run. They can view advertisers' product names, descriptions, logos, defined actions and offers. Advertisers can also supply a URL and other information to give potential advertisers more information. Ads can be text, image, or text link format. The text link format is interesting because it is a simple piece of text that can be placed in-line with the publishers' other content.

The new advertising model is being rolled out over the next few months on a rolling basis, so some advertisers will be able to begin using the model very soon. We expect that high volume, high revenue advertisers will be given priority.

Another interesting aspect of the new model is that Google is now competing with affiliate marketing networks such as ClickBank. You will now be able to offer a commission to Web publishers who sell your products, which is exactly what affiliate networks do. And Google has a leg up on the affiliate networks because advertisers can now integrate pay-per-action into their Google campaigns.

We highly recommend taking advantage of pay-per-action whenever it becomes available to you. Pay-per-click greatly mitigates the risk associated with traditional advertising by only displaying your ad in front of targeted prospects. Pay-per-action takes it one step further by eliminating the remaining risk, because you only pay if the specified action actually occurs.

For help managing a pay-per-action campaign for your web site, contact Work Media at 888-299-4837 or email Info@WorkMedia.net.

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