Search OR Content Networks / Or Both

Discussion in 'Google AdWords' started by dubayou, Nov 14, 2007.

  1. #1
    I cant seem to figure out weather to do both search and content network or just search or just content networks. Can any one help weigh the pros and cons of both??
     
    dubayou, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  2. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #2
    Personally I only use search for the simple being that I don't want to attract the general web surfer, the window shoppers as I see them.

    I've no experience in the content network so I cant really give the pro's & con's to each.
     
    cormac, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  3. WilsonA

    WilsonA Active Member

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    #3
    content cliks rarely convert most of the people searching for something are the ones most likely to value whatever you are promoting
    so I use search only
     
    WilsonA, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  4. ssteve

    ssteve Peon

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    #4
    I use both. Some of my content network ads actually convert at twice the rate of search network ads. You basically have to have very good tracking, and then by trial and error can figure out which one works in which market. The cost is low, but your tools have to be good :)
     
    ssteve, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  5. dubayou

    dubayou Peon

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    #5
    Then that leads to the next question
    whats a good adword tracking script
     
    dubayou, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  6. ssteve

    ssteve Peon

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    #6
    I track adwords to adsene, exclusively using g analytics and asclick.
     
    ssteve, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  7. Scragglefish

    Scragglefish Guest

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    #7
    Use Adtrackz for adwords tracking
     
    Scragglefish, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  8. pinkblush

    pinkblush Peon

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    #8
    I am using both... Coz conversions are much easier. And just like what ssteve said, you should also have a good tracking, and then by trial and error can figure out which one works in which market.
     
    pinkblush, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  9. ImCanuck

    ImCanuck Well-Known Member

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    #9
    I mostly use search. If I use content I bid very low.
     
    ImCanuck, Nov 14, 2007 IP
  10. Gothrough

    Gothrough Peon

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    #10
    It really depends on your niche. I use both. Search converts a bit better but why should I loose sales from CN?
     
    Gothrough, Nov 15, 2007 IP
  11. PPC-Coach

    PPC-Coach Active Member

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    #11
    Content network is invaluable now. The people saying stay away have never used it or did once when they opened their account and it was on by default.
     
    PPC-Coach, Nov 16, 2007 IP
  12. ssteve

    ssteve Peon

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    #12
    Ok, here is what I think.

    If one of your goals is collecting adsense.....

    Then someone clicking on an adsense ad to get to you is bound to click on another adsense ad. That is what I am seeing. Some people like to click on those inline ads, some don't. For adsense, I like the former.
     
    ssteve, Nov 16, 2007 IP
  13. CustardMite

    CustardMite Peon

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    #13
    Try both. I manage many campaigns. Some work only on Search. Some work on both. One works only on Content.

    There are no absolute rules as to what works or doesn't on the Content Network. The only way I can see to find out if you can get anywhere with it is to try it...
     
    CustardMite, Nov 19, 2007 IP
  14. catchafire

    catchafire Guest

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    #14
    Definitely use both. Try starting with search, and ease into the content network with lower bids. You'll get a feel eventually for what's working and what is not. Don't forget to run a placement performance report after you have a good bit of content network traffic.

    Like custardmite said - there are no absolute rules...
     
    catchafire, Nov 19, 2007 IP
  15. bigmarvloyal

    bigmarvloyal Active Member

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    #15
    My two cents is this: If you want to take advantage of the content network then you absolutely MUST use SITE TARGETING (now known as placement targeting) to get the full benefit from it... if you advertise on highly relevant sites then it is no different from using highly relevant keywords in your search network campaigns...

    At the end of that day it boils down to this:

    TRACKING what is going on... questions like this are pointless unless you say "I have been using the content network for two weeks with no success... here is what I'm doing... has nayone any advice?" There are too many variables that could be causing the problem.

    Cheers

    Stewart
     
    bigmarvloyal, Nov 19, 2007 IP
  16. chancho

    chancho Peon

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    #16
    Hi.

    I make all my sales from the content network. Only a few are from the search network.
     
    chancho, Nov 19, 2007 IP
  17. prosumer86

    prosumer86 Peon

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    #17
    Search or Content / Or Both?

    No one can answer that question except yourself. It is almost like asking:

    "Should i buy a lottery ticket today?"

    All I can say is, if you don't do it, you never know.

    For me, content traffic works like magic. Getting 7-800 clicks a day from there, and they convert like a charm. You just have to test to see what works.
     
    prosumer86, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  18. clenard

    clenard Active Member

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    #18
    You can also simply create 2 separate campaigns and use 1 with only search - then duplicate that campaign and create the other with only content. See which one works best.
     
    clenard, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  19. threehundred

    threehundred Member

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    #19
    if you decide to use content, i suggest running content only in its own separate campaign AND putting each keyword in its own adgroup, this way you can track accurately to the keyword level, even on content, which is normally grouped so that you cannot see individual keyword statistics.
     
    threehundred, Nov 20, 2007 IP
  20. mikesed

    mikesed Peon

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    #20
    The answer is you need to test it.

    I tend to prefer search because there are many tactics you can use to bring down the cost of the click and drive up click rates.

    You can't really do this with content campaigns.
     
    mikesed, Nov 21, 2007 IP