All entries for Wednesday 25 March 2009

Google Adwords 'Broad Matching', selling clicks for bad search queries.

Writing about web page http://www.cope-technology.co.uk/services/design.htm

I have been adding filters to extract the real search terms used by Google’s broad search match visitors. See my previous entry on why I am tracking these terms.

The main aim is to quickly identify the false hits and to add more negative keywords. So for ‘harness assembly’ I had already spotted ‘horse’ as a negative keyword but missed ‘dive’.

Some of the clicks were so wide of the mark like ‘template for circuit chart in house’ for circuit design that I checked further. Template as a snyonym for design? OK, I can see this but why would the searcher click on the Ad, right? This echos back the search term but this was too long so it only shows ‘circuit design’. The ‘surface mount’ may also refer to light switches and mains power sockets but the rest is pure Gobledegook for house wiring.

The search results below reveals the problem. Sometimes even Google cannot find the right results for a search term. But Google Adwords has been finding ways to get clicks for some of these. The poor searcher will still have to refine their search after bouncing from the advertiser’s site but Google will have been paid! If you want to learn more about tracking Google follow this link.

Robert McGonigle : 25 Mar 2009 09:58 |  Tags: Broad Matched Keywords Google Adwords |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Should I trust Business Banking staff that aren't allowed to use Email?

Writing about web page http://ppcpromotion.co.uk/ethos/terms

I have been going through the pain and bureaucracy of setting up a business bank account for the Limited Company. I was on hold for a long period when a young man offered to call me back. I will be going out. Could you email the information? I asked.

He replied that he was not authorized to use external email.
Should I trust a bank that does not trust their employees who set up bank accounts?

Robert McGonigle : 25 Mar 2009 09:12 |  Tags: Business Banking Hsbc Hsbc Policies |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem