New Script: Are You Ready for Parallel Tracking?

On October 30th, Google Ads requires all URL’s to be compatible with parallel tracking. To avoid surprises deep in our clients’ accounts, we’ve developed a simple script that I’m sharing today. Continue reading

New AdWords Report Editor: How to Gain Access

Report TypesThe new AdWords Report Editor has rolled out to all accounts. Yes it has. Months ago.

However, only few of them actually provide a link to the get to the editor. Still, as long as you know the URL, you can use the editor without any further problem or limitation. So until Google gets around to give you the link, let me help out.

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Migrating to Upgraded URL’s the Easy Way

Many AdWords advertisers have already upgraded their URL’s. For those who haven’t, I’d like to share the highlights of what we’ve learned during the transition. I’ll cover the gist of what you should know, along with some nice tricks to make the upgrade easier.

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Using Mobile Keyword URL’s in Enhanced Campaigns

Some advertisers use keyword level destination URL’s for tracking and other purposes. And some advertisers need different destination URL’s for mobile and desktop. With Enhanced Campaigns advertisers who need both now face a problem: You can have either device-specific destination URL’s at the ad level, or keyword level URL’s with no regard for device. Fortunately, there are a few workarounds. Continue reading

An AdWords Script to Track Quality Scores

This script is outdated, but there’s a new one that is much better and much easier to use. Check out the newest Quality Score Tracker.[/su_box]Last month I wrote about AdWords Scripts and came to the conclusion that there is basically just one really exciting thing about them: You can share them! Besides Google, I haven’t found anyone doing that, so I’d like to make the first step.

The script I’m presenting here tracks selected keyword quality scores over time. If a quality score changes, it can notify you via email. The script also uses a Google spreadsheet to track the quality score of each keyword. Over time it logs the complete quality score history of your keywords in a simple, easy to use spreadsheet. Continue reading

Mystery Solved: “false” in AdWords Search Queries

For about two months people have been seeing strange queries in their AdWords search terms. These queries look like regular queries except that there’s the word “false” included – at the beginning, at the end or somewhere in between. Segmenting search queries by network quickly revealed search partners as the source. Continue reading

How to predict the Impact of Exactish Match

Since Google has announced to change the matching behaviour for phrase and exact match, the reactions have ranged from unenthusiastic to strong criticism. Some advertisers have mentioned that they were going to test the new matching behaviour. Actually, you don’t have to.

Basically what’s changing here is the definition of the exact match – a phrase match is just an exact match that allows words before and after. The new exact match will cover “close variants” as well – where have we heard that before? A modified broad match also covers close variants. Might those be the same? Continue reading

Targeting Search Partners

In a recent post I wrote about segmenting search queries and the everyday things we can do with this. This time I’d like to go into an unorthodox strategy that benefits from this: Targeting specific search partners with AdWords.

Let’s be clear: Going after Google search partners directly is not possible with AdWords. What is possible is to identify and target certain search partners if they come with very distinct search queries. This strategy is not exactly new, but it is something that many people have probably never heard about. That’s why it’s perfect for this blog. Continue reading

Segmenting AdWords Search Query Data

When it comes to search query data, Google has always been a little protective. But in fall 2011, around the time when Google shocked search marketers around the world with their switch to SSL, I discovered something new on the AdWords interface:

download-search-term-report Continue reading