AdWords | Internet Marketing Blog

Google does no evil, except when there's lots of money involved

One of Google's biggest goals seems to have little to do with dollars and cents. It's a simple one: 'do no evil' and it has been widely promoted for the simple fact that few billion-dollar corporations set such a goal.

Obviously, aiming to do no evil and actually doing no evil are two different things and Google has been criticized over a number of issues.

by Patricio Robles 25 March 2009 15:35pm 3 comments

Twitter launches ads - for itself

How can Twitter make money? It's the one question everyone has been asking and the one question Twitter hasn't been in a rush to answer.

But as Twitter continues to experience massive growth during a painful recession, revenue is a subject that Twitter probably shouldn't put off for too long.

by Patricio Robles 17 March 2009 09:04am 2 comments

Google gives up on Google Checkout

The last 6 months have been sobering for Google. Once at the top of the world, Google has seen its share price plummet and the idea that it would be immune to recession has been proven a fallacy.

So Google is doing what any good company does: cutting out the fat. It has already shuttered a number of projects that weren't going anywhere and is refocusing its efforts on its core business.

by Patricio Robles 12 March 2009 09:48am 1 comment

Google introduces Analytics qualification program for individuals

If you use Google Analytics, Google has launched a new program that might be of interest.

Google Analytics IQ (short for Google Analytics Individual Qualification) is similar to the Google Advertising Professionals program, which certifies individuals who work with AdWords.

by Patricio Robles 03 March 2009 16:50pm 0 comments

Ads on Google News

It's the last thing newspapers need. You can almost hear the gnashing of teeth, the hair-pulling, and the calls in to legal.

Not now! Not Google!

But it's true - Google's longstanding policy of no advertising on the Google News site is becoming less policy than loose guideline. As John Battelle so aptly puts it, "sh*tstorm to follow."

Google is now running contextual ads against Google News search results in the United States. Search for "Barack Obama" right about now and you'll see ads for a Barack Obama watch, and a Barack Obama wall plaque. Search "recession" and you get pretty much what you'd expect -- work-at-homes schemes and continuing education programs.

by Rebecca Lieb 26 February 2009 19:47pm 5 comments

Google changes AdWords display URL policy

Some Google AdWords advertisers are probably not having the best Monday.

Last Friday, Google announced a change to the AdWords display policy: all display URLs within each ad group must have the same top-level domain.

by Patricio Robles 23 February 2009 16:56pm 2 comments

Paid search advertisers must demand transparency and IP

The UK’s most prominent paid search marketers have been up in arms this weekend after VCCP Search claimed to be the first agency to assign IP to clients.

MarketingWeek ran a story last week that started off as follows: “VCCP Search is offering its clients the opportunity to retain their intellectual property rights. The agency previously kept the rights of any search keywords it purchased on behalf of the client, but in an effort to retain clients, it is now letting them retain those rights. VCCP Search says it is the first agency to offer such a service.”

by Chris Lake 23 February 2009 14:15pm 6 comments

Is Google testing SearchWiki with AdWords?

Late last year, Google unveiled SearchWiki, a new set of features that enable Google users to re-rank, delete and comment on results that appear on Google search.

A Google spokesperson stated that SearchWiki is "a new way to empower users" and to let them add their "personal touch to our algorithms."

by Patricio Robles 16 February 2009 10:01am 1 comment

Google opens up AdWords Conversion Optimizer

Conversions are everything when it comes to paid search engine marketing. When it comes down to it, the health of your conversion rates and cost per conversion can mean the difference between success and failure.