Google is in my dog-house these days.
When you use Adwords today you can configure the distribution of your ads to appear on 1) just Google SERPs (i.e., search engine results pages) as "search content", 2) as "network content" on other peoples' sites, or 3) both.
When I first started using Adwords back in early 2003 the only place where Adwords ads appeared was on the SERPs. This was fine as it meant that only people in the process of conducting a search, on say widgets, would see widget ads.
Then one day in mid or late 2004--without warning-- Google started showing these ads on other sites. (i.e., as "content network" distribution). I quickly realized that the clicks generated by surfers at other sites were not generating any sales. They just drove up my Adword's expense. So I turned off the content network distribution switch.
Shortly after Google tried to entice me back into allowing my ads to be run on its content network with promises of reimbursements. The more I spent on these ads the more I'd get back up to a ceiling of $2000. From this I can only assume that there was a mass exodus by advertisers from content distribution.
I said "no thanks", and double-checked that the settings disabled distribution of my ads through the content network, and forgot about it. This took place late last year.
Well, last week I discover to my amazement that for the past 6 months or so my ads have been running on other sites. I didn't turn the switch back on and no one else has access to my Adwords account.
When I complained to Google they told me that I must have made the change and then forgotten about it. They had no response when I asked why they had then tried to entice me back into using content network advertising.
So, I'm going to have to eat the added costs of those content ads.
How did the content network switch get turned back on? I can't really be sure. Adwords is constantly upgrading its system and adding new features. Maybe one of these events "accidently on purpose" bumped the switch back on?
Once again, I look forward to increased competition in contextual advertising from the soon to be launched Microsoft and Yahoo programs. This de facto Google monopoly is bad for the little guy.
I have a saying. Double check everything at least three times per day ;)
Posted by: Randy Charles Morin | August 02, 2005 at 11:54 AM
Google doesn't give a rip. It's making money hand over fist these days because its the only game in town.
Screw em.
Posted by: Mr X | August 02, 2005 at 03:34 PM