I have a campaign where all my keywords have position preferences set to 3 - 10+ Google's literature implies that if my ad ranks higher than number 3 it will automatically force it into position 3 and charge me the lower amount for the click as a result. I have noticed however that some of the keywords are appearing in the number 1 or 2 slot although there are plenty of ads below it. The campaign has been running (with current position preferences) for several weeks. Anybody able to enlighten me as to what mechanism is controlling this and why it might be happening?
I've never been very comfortable with the position preferencing. Google states that: Position preference does not mean that your ad will always appear in the position you specify. The usual AdWords ranking and relevance rules apply. If your ad doesn't qualify for position #1, setting a position preference of 1 will not move it there. Position preference simply means AdWords will try to show your ad whenever it is ranked in your preferred position, and to avoid showing it when it is not. So if your bid puts your advert in 8th, and you prefer 4th-7th, do you really want your advert to stop showing? Or if you are in 7th, then an advertiser jumps over you, then you lose your advert without warning? How is that useful?
I agree but that's not what I am trying to do. If you notice my preference is for 3 - 10+ so all am doing is trying to ensure that my ad does not appear in positions 1 or 2. The idea is to lower the cost whilst avoiding the top positions that are attracting impulsive clicks that cost more and do not convert well.
I read on one of the google help pages that it takes 3-4 days for the system for the preferences to apply. And everytime you change the preference, it takes another 3-4 days. It does work if you give it time.