Adwords Search Network vs Content

[Avalon]

I just got off the phone with Google and am a little frustrated since they are unable to tell me whether or not a referrer I found in my logs is a Search Partner or Content (Adsense). When I launched my client's account I had deselected "content" from the beginning and only had "search network" selected. I need to know whether I'm paying for Content ads which I didn't opt in for.

I checked out some of the referrers coming in from Google and found a site that has sent several clicks our way already and we only launched Monday. I found the ad and it was indeed my client's Google ad. The section on that referrer does not state anywhere that's it's a "sponsored link" but instead identifies the ads section as "additional resources".

When I called Google, they could not tell me whether this referrer was from the search network or content. I was perplexed about this and wondered why they couldn't tell me. All I needed to know what the fact that I'm not paying for Adsense ads when I never opted in. I have tracking codes on all the ads but the destination url on this particular referrer is stripped down with no tracking codes. Is this common? I did indeed pay for this click and wonder whether it's really safe to even opt in for Search Partners. Of course, the proof would be in the pudding with at least some sales so if I see consistent traffic coming from here especially daily with no site views or sales, I'm not going to trust this "partnership". This referrer is also doing tons of Adwords so driving traffic to their site with the intention of getting ad $$ kindof makes me suspicious. Am I being naive? Paranoid? Maybe, but I only want the best for my clients and of course decent, legitimate leads.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

[AdWordsRep]

Avalon, I just dropped by for a few minutes and saw your post - and I do have a couple of quick thoughts.

Firstly, clicks coming from content partners will include the words 'googlesyndication.com' - so I think you may rest easy that the clicks you mentioned are not content clicks.

Also, in the two plus years that I've been with AdWords, I'm not personally aware of any case in which a campaign opted-out of the content partner network did in fact appear there. And it is my job to keep my ear to the ground for exactly this sort of thing.

Also, please be aware that all of your impressions/clicks are filtered before making their way to your stats. So 'clicks' to your AdWords ads that appear in your server logs, are not necessarily clicks for which you have been charged.

AWR

[Avalon]

Thanks for dropping in and helping to clarify my question AWR. I have a couple more quick questions if I may...

Why doesn't the search partner identify the ads as coming from Google or even that they are sponsored links. I would have assumed that there would be certain guidelines that Adwords partners are obliged to follow.

and what does googleadservices.com referrer represent? are these from partner sites also?

[AdWordsRep]

Sure thing, Avalon.

Why doesn't the search partner identify the ads as coming from Google or even that they are sponsored links. I would have assumed that there would be certain guidelines that Adwords partners are obliged to follow.

Although I am quite expert with the AdWords program, I'm not at all expert as a webmaster or site designer - nor am I highly familiar with the intricacies of the AdSense program. So I'm not really sure how to answer this question. I'm guessing that you'd get a much more informed answer in the AdSense Forum on SEW. :)

and what does googleadservices.com referrer represent? are these from partner sites also?

I believe that these are clicks coming from an AdWords campaign that has conversion tracking enabled.

AWR

[Avalon]

When I meant "search partner", I'm talking about non-adsense advertisers like Netscape, AOL etc... When they strike up a deal with Google as partners, I was referring my question regarding guidelines that they may have to adhere to as ad carriers. I don't know, DO they have guidelines on how they should display ads?

I might be asking a big question for a small advertiser but I guess I'm as curious as they come so maybe there's no true answer. Don't sweat over this one...

[AdWordsRep]

Ahhh. Sorry I missed that distinction, & thanks for the clarification.

Unfortunately, this is a subject that I really am not able to address. Firstly, because I simply don't know the answer ( :) ), and secondly because details of partnerships can't really be discussed - as you can probably imagine.


...I guess I'm as curious as they come...

In my book, this is a very good thing indeed. So keep on being curious!

AWR

[Avalon]

Thanks very much for your time AWR - great to have you as a resource here. I'll come back and stump you again sometime k :rolleyes: