First let me say that I've been using Google Adwords almost exclusively since I started into the world of PPC, however I did try out the Yahoo program a year or so ago. I wasn't impressed with the setup so I abandoned it. I decided to give it a try again and guess what...they still don't have their shit together at Yahoo. This is what I don't like about their program vs. Google. 1. Campaigns take FOREVER to kick in. I though Google took a while, but it took 24 hours before I saw any of my ads appearing on the Yahoo network. This just kills you when you have a hot idea that you want to get going on, then you have to wait a day or more and your inspiration fades. 2. Editorial Reviews - If you create an ad copy that for some reason doesn't jive with some Yahoo algorhythm, your ad goes to Editorial Review, and the waiting game begins again. I've had half a dozen ads sitting in ER now for days...wonder if they'll ever be reviewed. At least Google get around to them in 24 hours or so. 3.. Reporting - As far as I can tell, Yahoo only updates the reporting stats once a day. How the hell can I figure out if a campaign, ad or even keyword is effective if I have to wait until the next morning to see statistics? 4. Help - Getting a response from a Yahoo rep is nearly impossible. If anyone has any tips to get around these issues...I'd love to hear them. I'd rather pay more per click and have a reliable system that gets ads showing and working in a timely manner.
1. I find that my campaigns start very quickly if they don't go for manual review. 2. I agree, it is a system designed by retards. Sometimes I set up a campaign where everything goes live automatically and then I make a typo on one of the ads so have to go back and edit it - that will always go to manual review and sit for several days inactive. I have loads of ads that get dissapproved and when I contact support they can't understand why so put them back in for a second review. Now I just resubmit everything multiple times until it gets approved - which it invariably does eventually. 3. I used to think that they only updated once a day as well but it's not the case. When you log in select date range as custom - today and hit apply and that will work. After your session times out and you log back in again you will find that they have "helpfully" changed the date range for you so you have to do it every time you log in. 4. The last time I sent them an email I actually found them quite helpful.
Yeah, YSM can't be more stupid. 1. User name must be 6-10 characters. WTF! 2. Support are no-brainers. 3. Reporting sucks.
I cant even get my medical marijuana ads to run at all with them even though other people have them running how did they(the other publishers) do that?
I've abandoned Yahoo for PPC. Everything just makes is difficult to do business and I don't have the time for that crap.
it's looking that way for us I need to get one of their staff on the damn phone. PS: I like your avatar.
You would think that with yahoo doing not so good as a company, they will need as much revenue as possible and with sponsored search their top most revenue generator - they'll have their act together.
I too have to do the stupid resubmit 100 times just to get approved crap. Put it this way, don't even BOTHER trying to promote a time-sensitive niche product release, as it will almost always leave you greatly disapointed; your ads will go live a day late and a dollar (or maybe $1,000) short. However, I have seen some cases where the ROI from yahoo is way higher than google (and viceversa though). Maybe someday they will get their act together. Man I sure hope so.