Is G scrambling for money or helping advertisers?

[Andy]

Not sure about anyone else but lately, when I search in G, I am often hard pressed to tell where the ads end and the search results begin.

They've taken their own advice and blended the ads on the page quite well. So does this help advertisers or hurt them?

I know I've clicked on several ads to get to the same place I would have gone otherwise - to the main page of a company. I'd be interested to know who paid for those clicks because I don't generally buy anything during that kind of search.

Thoughts?

Andy

[JJMcClure]

I know I've clicked on several ads to get to the same place I would have gone otherwise - to the main page of a company. I'd be interested to know who paid for those clicks because I don't generally buy anything during that kind of search.

If you've accidently clicked on those PPC Ads they must have been the ones directly above the search results right? Those spots are often referred to as 'vanity' slots because they get a ton of clicks but not as many conversions per click as Ads lower down the list, so they're intended more for brand recognition than a good ROI.

Either that or the advertiser doesn't know about what I just said and think they have to place as highly as possible to get the best ROI, but it doesn't actually work like that.

[Andy]

If you've accidently clicked on those PPC Ads they must have been the ones directly above the search results right? Those spots are often referred to as 'vanity' slots because they get a ton of clicks but not as many conversions per click as Ads lower down the list, so they're intended more for brand recognition than a good ROI.

Either that or the advertiser doesn't know about what I just said and think they have to place as highly as possible to get the best ROI, but it doesn't actually work like that.

Hi Rich,

Those are the ones. What caused me to pause was not all searches deliver ads. Might be my frugal nature but I'd scream in pain if I found out I was paying for clicks on pages where I was at the top of the results page. UNLESS I was tracking something or otherwise had a very good reason for it.

I just don't see where those clicks benefit anyone but G.

Andy

[JJMcClure]

I just don't see where those clicks benefit anyone but G.

If you're number one spot for a competitive keyword phrase then it's not by accident, you'll be paying through the nose for that privilege and presumably have a good reason for doing so, such as improving your brand recognition or just simply being higher in the list than your competitors, so it benefits you.

If it's non competitive and you're number one by accident cos they're aren't any other Ads, you may well be paying the minimum 1p per click since you're not having to outbid anyone else and you get a click for 1p, which probably benefits you more than Google.

I'd scream in pain if I found out I was paying for clicks on pages where I was at the top of the results page.

For PPC alone that couldn't happen wihtout there being incompetence somewhere along the line but if you mean a PPC Ad appearing on the same page as one you have an organic ranking on, it's been shown that this can speed up the process of brand recognition as the user is seeing your brand in two places on the same page.

[tke71709]

Might be my frugal nature but I'd scream in pain if I found out I was paying for clicks on pages where I was at the top of the results page. UNLESS I was tracking something or otherwise had a very good reason for it.

Many businesses don't want their competitors showing up on top of them in the SERPs, even if they are in the sponsored section.

Sometimes you buy things you'd rather not for defensive reasons.

[Andy]

Many businesses don't want their competitors showing up on top of them in the SERPs, even if they are in the sponsored section.

Sometimes you buy things you'd rather not for defensive reasons.

I can see that happening. Of course anyone paying for ads should certainly be aware of what they are paying for too. I never really paid as much attention until G started blending the ads at the top.

Personally, I think this detracts from my "user experience" :-)

Andy

[JJMcClure]

Personally, I think this detracts from my "user experience" :-)

Andy

How? Those Ads won't be showing unless you're searching for what the advertiser provides and so will be relevant to your search, the Adwords Quality score ensures that and is what maintains the quality of their search returns.

Since you know PPC Ads can appear at the top of the page and are even in a different coloured box than the rest of the page it can't be much of an effort to take that further step and not click on them, unless you're colour blind and can't read the bit where it says 'Ads'.

Perhaps you can elaborate on how it detracts from your user experience, I'd like to know what it is you expect from Google in the first place.

Of course anyone paying for ads should certainly be aware of what they are paying for too

Yes, that's what I said two posts above yours to counter what you said about 'scream in pain if I found out I was paying for clicks on pages where I was at the top of the results page' which couldn't happen by accident unless you were incompetent.

[Andy]

How? Those Ads won't be showing unless you're searching for what the advertiser provides and so will be relevant to your search, the Adwords Quality score ensures that and is what maintains the quality of their search returns.

Since you know PPC Ads can appear at the top of the page and are even in a different coloured box than the rest of the page it can't be much of an effort to take that further step and not click on them, unless you're colour blind and can't read the bit where it says 'Ads'.

Perhaps you can elaborate on how it detracts from your user experience, I'd like to know what it is you expect from Google in the first place.

Rich,

When I end a parenthesis with a :-) - that is my smiley face - usually an indication that I'm not taking myself all that seriously but as long as you virtually insist on an explanation...

1) When the ads are easily distinguishable, it's a lot easier to tell one from another. Since I've spent a great deal of money (for me) on ppc, I prefer NOT to click on a paid link when the same link is unpaid.

2) I also don't like making someone pay for my click when I know I have no intention of buying anything. I know, I'm strange that way but I think I'm entitled to my preferences.

Yes, that's what I said two posts above yours to counter what you said about 'scream in pain if I found out I was paying for clicks on pages where I was at the top of the results page' which couldn't happen by accident unless you were incompetent.

Oh NO! You mean we agree on something AGAIN? I'll try not to do THAT in the future. :-) (notice my smiley thingy here - don't take it all so seriously... okay?)

Andy