I was poking around today online and ran across something that is either new or I have been asleep at the wheel.

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The sponsored links really highlight the business.  While all the links will take you to the respective websites the visual effect is something that cannot be ignored.

I believe you need to link your AdWords account to Google Places via Campaign Settings and Ad Extensions for this feature to work but I will ask Google for comment to confirm.

Has anyone else seen this?  Comments Please!!

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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The AdWords Content Network continues to become more transparent and powerful and the URL list option allows advertisers yet another level of transparency to better optimize their account performance.

This feature allows one to see the actual page within a website on the Content Network that generated traffic for their website.

Say you are using Automatic or Managed Placements on the Content Network, first go to the NETWORKS tab to ’show’ the list of domains that your ads appear on.

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Here is a sample of the domain detail that I received when I ’show’ my automatic placements.

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Now, that is excellent, I can evaluate each domains traffic volume, ctr, conversions, etc.   However, what  is really nice is I can easily look even deeper with the ’see URL list’ feature by selecting a domain on the list and clicking the ’see URL list’ button.

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What you will receive is a greater level of detail on the chosen domain – in this example: about.com.  In the screenshot below you can see the actual domains and pages that generated the traffic off about.com.  As you see from this screenshot I have a few pages that convert well, one with a 80% conversion rate.  I will be adding this specific page to my Managed Placements list by using the button shown in the screenshot below.

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Here is another example for the domain: destination360.com.  As you can see the advertisers ads appeared on multiple pages within the domain, some were not relevant pages so I excluded them.  Others were great pages therefore I will add them to my managed placements list and adjust bids or ad text as necessary to get the best performance from this domain.

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The URL list makes optimizing the Content Network just that much easier.  I suggest all advertisers on the Content Network take a look at this extra level of transparency to see where they could be improving their Content Network return on investment.

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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Recently added AdWords Known Issue is related to the Ad Diagnostic Tool showing Incorrect Messaging.

UPDATE: 7/5/10 TOOL REPAIRED!

If you have used the diagnostics tool recently to see if your ads are running and the tool said NO don’t panic yet.  The tool is experiencing some issues that is causing it to incorrectly report the diagnostic test.

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Ad Diagnostic Tool Showing Incorrect Message

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Report this issue here

If you think the Ad Diagnostic tool is providing inaccurate info try the Ad Preview Tool at http://www.google.com/adpreview to search for your ads.  This is not the most optimal method to test your ads but if you see your ads running it will at least give you peace of mind.  The preview tool will also allow you to see your ads without causing impressions to your account.

Note: if your budget is not lasting the day or your ads are set to standard delivery vs. accelerated you may not always see your ads displayed in the preview tool.  If you do not see your ads displayed try several keyword variations….again, not the best alternative but at least you can do this searching for yourself freely without effecting your CTR.

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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Noticed a new Tab available in the AdWords Interface today.  It may have been lurking there for sometime, but if so, I had not noticed it until now.

The DIMENSIONS tab.  Cool name huh?  Cool name for a cool little section of the AdWords Interface where you can quickly run reports, segment data, schedule and email reports straight to you or any designated person.

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New Tab?

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I don’t see it replacing the Reports Center or anything but a helpful addition for running quick reports!
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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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UPDATE:

ANSWER: NO

Thanks to Barry Schwartz for sending me this link to Inside AdWords.  The article explains that what I am seeing in the screenshots below is not ‘Product Extension’ ads but “Product Listing Ads” (limited US only Beta). Makes more sense to see competitors tagging along when I learned more about these ads.

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Last week when researching for a client I found a strange ‘tag along’ link on an AdWords ad that is running Product Extension and pulling data from the Google Merchant Center.  The ad displayed had a extra link and price from Kmart.

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How is Kmart Tagging Along on the Primo AdWords Ad? (note: the Kmart link sent me to a product page that had been removed or moved but you get the jist)

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Originally I wanted to call this a ‘related product’ beta, similar to the  ’Related search results’ displayed on the Google Search Network as described in the two Search Engine Roundtable articles posted on June 18, 2010 and June 28, 2010.  However, I thought that out and this is not a ‘related product’ it is a direct competitor, for the same exact product and the price is listed along with the ad.hots below outline the search query and results returned by Google.

Another sample:

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This Ad Has Two Extra Links & Price Info - Both links lead to the same exact product at their respective websites.

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And yet another when searching for ‘ipods’.

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Competitors ads Tagging Along? - Why Does Walmart have 3 ads on one page?

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This extra ‘related’ product link is for eCOST (dot) com.  Not exactly sure how Walmart wound up with 3 ads on one search results page and in turn eCOST ended up with two ‘tag alongs’.  While that has me curious and about to climb up on my soap box to rant about this going against Googles “user experience” principal, I am more interested in why the other links are tagging along with AdWords Product Extension ads.  Is that something we have control over?  I would prefer not to see my customers who use Product Extensions have their ads include competitor pricing info and links.

As  readers may or may not know the products shown in the screenshots above are from the Google Merchant Center which is “linked” through product extensions in the AdWords interface to pull Merchant Center data into the Sponsored Links section.  That is, when the advertiser has enabled product extensions and linked with their Merchant Center Account.  When visiting the Google Merchant Center and viewing products there are usually competitors products also shown below the main product results.  It *seems* like that is where the additional links and prices are being pulled from, however, it is only a guess.

Note: This is not something I am seeing on all Product Extensions ads just some, which has me thinking ‘beta’.

Looking for a comment from Google and will post when/if it is supplied.

Have you seen this?  Do you have info to share? Comments from our readers are always welcome!

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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If you cannot get your Flash Ads that were built in Flash 9 or 10 to upload into AdWords you can stop beating your head against your desk.

There is a new ‘Known Issue’ –  a technical problem in uploading Ads built in Flash versions 9 or 10.

Google’s suggested workaround is to create ads using Flash 8 or 7.

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I have not worked in flash for awhile but I would hope that you could save in an older format vs. having to actually use the older format of Flash.   If that is the only option that is a big pain for advertisers.

** Anyone use Flash 9/10 and care to comment if you can save to an older version?

If you are experiencing this issue it can be reported on the Known Issues page at Google.

As always, comments are welcome!

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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Whoa.

Is that a Google AdWords toll free phone number?… [rubbing eyes] …yes, it is!  I wonder if someone will answer…..

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Is that a Google AdWords phone number?...wonder if someone will answer.....

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Someone answered! A real live person!

I just learned that Google is offering account setups with 30 days support to new advertisers.  Advertisers will be placed with an AdWords representative who will setup the AdWords account and support the advertiser for 30 days.  The AdWords Reps are available during the 30 day period to answer questions.  Once the 30 period ends the AdWords Rep will review the account with the advertiser to explain the account performance.  The purpose of this offer is to help advertisers get off to a good start and educate them at the same time.

I have heard about Google initiatives like this in the UK but did not know they were trying it here in the US.

I asked the AdWords representative if there was a minimum budget that needed to be met to quality for the setup and 30 days support and I was told “no” all advertisers qualify.

I also asked if Google plans to offer a paid support option if advertisers wanted further help and was told no.

Interesting.

As always, comments are welcome!
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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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Say goodbye to the AdWords Professionals program – GAPS who have not taken the new test will have a 6 month grace period to meet the requirements of the new Certification Program.   To gain qualification, exam takers must pass both the Advertising Fundamentals exam and one advanced-level exam.

From Google:

The criteria to get certified with Google has changed. Current Google Advertising Professionals will have a 6 month grace period to meet the new criteria and terms and conditions in order to retain their certified status; during this grace period, you’ll keep their Google Public Profile page, and continue to show up in Google Partner Search results. The key things that you’ll need to do in this grace period are outlined below:

• Existing Google Advertising Professionals must have at least one person employed and linked to their MCC who is Individually Qualified (that is, has passing scores on two new exams – the Fundamentals exam and one of three new Advanced exams).
• Partners will need to link to an MCC that satisfies the new spend criteria.
• Partners can opt-in to the partner search engine and fill out their profile page. This determines how they appear and market themselves in the publicly searchable listing. During the grace period, if you’ve opted in, you’ll show up here with an old or a new certification, but by the end of the grace period, you’ll only be eligible if you meet the new criteria for certification.
• Once certified, you should remove our old logo from your marketing materials and website and replace with the new program certification badge.

During this transition period, you’ll see two different exam sections in your company account. These sections track exam passes on the old exam, as well as associated individuals who have passed our new exams on their way to becoming individually qualified. Only pass information on our new exams will appear on your My Exams page (the old exam information will appear in the legacy space on the Company page). You’ll also notice that your Google public profile page displays the old badge and certification status until you achieve the new Certified Partner status.

New Logo

A new logo has been designed for issue with certification which includes a ‘click to verify‘ message.

More can be learned at the Google Certification Program site.

To begin your training for the new exams Google has prepared material in the Help Center.

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

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Owner of Clinks Web Service,  AdWordsPI in Chicago, Illinois

AdWords Training: AdWordsHour.com

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I noticed some of my client accounts now have a search feature built into the AdWords User Interface.  I do not recall seeing this option previously and some client accounts do not have the option so I assume that Google is in a testing phase and the search feature has been rolled out on a limited basis.

Search Box added to User Interface

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Search for Keywords, Ad Text or Ad Groups.

Simply select a campaign or ad group to search specific areas of your account.

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Search Box in User Interface

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I attempted to “learn more” about the faster search but the link did not function properly.

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Faster Search - Learn More

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

Get to know more About Kim

Owner of Clinks Web Service,  AdWordsPI in Chicago, Illinois

AdWords Training: AdWordsHour.com

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Recently reported as a known issue is the Site and Category Exclusion Tool and the lack of data populating the tool.

Currently only conversions are being reported in the data table.

Google is working to correct the issue.

AdWords Recently Reported Known Issues

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Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, GAP

Get to know more About Kim

Owner of Clinks Web Service,  AdWordsPI in Chicago, Illinois

AdWords Training: AdWordsHour.com

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Subscribe: RSS Feeds