AdWords - Content Network Takes Control

[abbottsys]

I'm seeing more and more of my conversions coming from the Content Network. Anybody else notice this trend?

[AussieWebmaster]

has always been a rollercoaster with content... are you using text or image ads...

[shaneekirk]

I've noticed that the image ads work particularly well. But, there are great conversions to be had on the content network. I always make a habit of running the "placement" report to weed out the "bad" sites. This seems to help bump up that conversion number as well.

[AussieWebmaster]

Good info Shane...

[Discovery]

Asys, are you using the new KW Placement mix?
I had figured you would be testing this out thoroughly.

If you think about all the efforts Google has been making to reform their content network you could conclude that it is having a solid impact.

Unlimited site exclusion
IP Exclusion
Better matching to content with KW and Placement targeting.
Robust Placement reports detailed down to the page level.
Publisher physical address confirmation campaign.
And Google's own internal review and dump controls.

Add this to advertisers becoming very good at dumping poor performing content partners and suddenly its difficult for garbage sites to turn a profit cheating Google and us - They move to an easier target.

Which reminds me have you noticed a spike in fraud at YPN? :)

Discovery

[abbottsys]

... are you using text or image ads...
Just good old text ads. I tried image, but the results were poor. For our market text ads still totally rule.

[AdWordsRep]

A very interesting thread - thanks for starting it, abbottsys.

As an aside, I'll happily pass along feedback regarding the content network to the right folks here it Google - regardless of whether it is exceedingly positive, exceeding negative, or somewhere in between.

Long may this thread remain active. ;)

AWR

[SteveLaLonde]

Great thread AbbottSys; I've noticed the same thing recently as well, I'm seeing more content network conversions.

On the other side of the coin, many of the these conversions are of lesser quality. I'm speaking of a lead-gen case (high end real estate), and as one might expect, the content network has attracted more 'dreamers' who submit contact forms, but have proven less likely to become actual customers of my client. It sort of balances out. Cheap conversions, but some are low quality.

Still, the content network is certainly improving imo. There are some truly excellent placements to be had too if you get a bit selective!

Thanks!
Steve LaLonde