Google Updates Sponsored Links Search

The eagle-eyed search experts here in Efficient Frontier’s London nerve centre alerted me to an update on Google’s Search Sponsored Links feature. A link from the main SERPs underneath the right hand column allows you to browse just the ads for a particular search term. Previously, that link just sent you to a page like […]

Trademarks: the Calm After the Storm

My ugly mug featured in this week’s NMA in a follow-up article by Will Cooper about trademark bidding on Google. It would seem that the hysteria is finally dying down as common-sense returns to the situation. There has been quite a few, how shall I say, ill-thought-out statements about this whole thing.

Google Trademark Change: First Thoughts

So the unthinkable is finally upon us and Uncle Google has stopped protecting our trademarks. I have a few thoughts to share on this, based on what I’ve observed so far.

Google Removes Restrictions on Trademarked Keywords

On Friday Google announced (via email) that it is going to remove advertising restrictions on trademarked keywords as of May 5th in the UK and Ireland. Many advertisers are concerned that the consequences of this will hurt their AdWords campaigns, so I’ve put together some thoughts on what the likely result of this will be.

Nasty example of Google Extended Broad Match

Here’s a really horrid example of Google’s Extended Broad Match that I caught last month. Check out the first ad on the right-hand side for the new Apple laptop on a search for ‘flights’. Eurgh.

Google’s Ad Diagnostics Tool still broken

Earlier this month, I was trying to work out why a client’s AdWord’s campaign was being a bit sluggish. I hovered over the little magnifying glass next to an important keyword and got the message that the ad wasn’t showing. Panic started to set in as keyword after keyword was reported as not triggering. But […]

Google’s Conversion Optimiser

Google have just released the Conversion Optimiser, a simple tool to autobid campaigns to a CPA target. I think this is Google's first step into true, closed loop bid management; by that I mean bidding to an ROI target, rather than a position (see Position Preference), cost (see Preferred Cost Bidding) or to maximise traffic […]

Niche location targeting on AdWords

Location targeting on Google AdWords is a great tool, but be careful how you use it. For example, you could if you wished target the inhabitants of Bouvet Island: Unfortunately, according to the Wikipedia, the inhabitants of Bouvet Island comprise of, “seals, seabirds and penguins”. In fact, this human-less sub-antarctic volcanic island is the most […]

Search for the next Big Brother winner

A summer of debauchery is nearly upon us with tonight’s launch of Big Brother 8. Yet another opportunity for the British nation to shame itself on the international media stage. But whatever you think of Big Brother, it does generate massive search volumes, so I’ve had a quick look on Google to see who’s ready […]

Search marketing code of conduct

“Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something.” – Thomas Edison For a few months now there’s been talk in the UK about a search marketing code of conduct. This was revisited in an article in last week’s New Media Age. It first popped up last year in an NMA piece […]

Jonathan Beeston

Online advertising, digital marketing, social media and technology

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