Google Adwords Landing page quality update

Andrew C., a product marketing manager, who heads-up regarding an upcoming AdWords 'landing page quality' change. This change to the algorithm will affect a small number of advertisers -- while having a positive impact on the quality of ads that Google users see. Here's a little background, and a look at what's coming up:
As you may recall, Google began incorporating advertiser landing page quality into the Quality Score back in December 2005. Following that change, advertisers who are not providing useful landing pages to Google users will have lower Quality Scores that in turn result in higher minimum bid requirements for their keywords. Google realize that some minimum bids may be too high to be cost-effective -- indeed, these high minimum bids are google way of motivating advertisers to either improve their landing pages or to simply stop using AdWords for those pages, while still giving some control over which keywords to advertise on. Although it is counter-intuitive to some who hear it, Google had rather show one less ad than to show an ad which leads to a poor user experience -- since long-term user trust in AdWords is of overarching importance.
From time-to-time, Google improve it's algorithms for evaluating landing page quality (often based on feedback from Googles end-users), and next week Google launching another such improvement. Thus, over the coming days a small number of advertisers who are providing a low quality user experience on their landing pages will see increases in their minimum bids. It is important to note, however, that the vast majority of advertisers will not be affected at all by this change, as they link to quality landing pages.
If you do see an increase in minimum bids and you feel that your landing page is providing a great user experience, please contact AdWords support and Google'll take a look. Also, for useful guidelines which will help to define what users look for in a high quality site, Google hope they'll take a look at the landing page and site quality guidelines, from the AdWords Help Center.

Yahoo To Close A Deal With AOL

The latest twist that is the share killing saga of the Microsoft Yahoo buyout hit us today - with news that Yahoo is close on closing a deal to merge with AOL.
This at the same time that Yahoo is doing a limited test to place Google ads in its search results. Meanwhile, News Corp, which Yahoo once hoped would be its white knight, is said to be turning on Yahoo and talking to Microsoft about joining its bid. Obviously a lot of balls are up in the air right now, and anything is possible.”

Yahoo Microsoft With Google AdSense For Search Trial

The limited test will see Google placing ads alongside no more than 3% of Yahoo’s search result pages in the US. While Yahoo claims to be simply “exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value”, the company is obviously trying to convince shareholders that a merger with Microsoft would be sub-optimal by showing how well an alternative partnership with Google monetizes.
Yahoo is eager to point out that the trial will not necessarily blossom into a long-term relationship with Google. And so the pushing continues

Google Ads Now Live on Yahoo Search

According to a Search Engine Watch Forums thread, the Google ads are now live on Yahoo. Note, if you don't want your Google ads to show on Yahoo, you need to opt your ads out on showing on third party search providers. In any event, some advertisers are noticing that their Google ads are showing up in Yahoo sponsored results. As expected, the ads don't appear as AdSense ads - they simply look like Yahoo ads. SEW moderator explains, "Yahoo seems to be configured as a Google Search Partner, not as an AdSense publisher." In addition, he adds, "Initially (i.e. earlier today) I was only seeing my ad a small percent of the time (i.e. Yahoo was only including it on a fraction of the SRPs for a given search), but now I'm seeing my ad 100% of the time." But the ad is only showing when he stopped showing his native Yahoo ad, i.e. the Google ad won't show for him until he tells Yahoo to stop showing his Yahoo ad.

MSN Showing Google Ad's

Long Back MSN stopped displaying Google AdWords ads in favor of their own PPC advertising platform, MSN Adcenter. So why, after all this time have they begun to display AdWords ads again? On Tuesday Jon Henshaw blogged an interesting find: A search for the phrase

colorations paint

brought up the standard MSN Adcenter ads at the top, a typical 1 & 2 listing for DiscountSchoolSupply, and a rather interesting third and fourth result. Sitting at 3 for this phrase appears to be Google. The URL indexed a link generated for DiscountSchoolSupplys Google AdWords account. Henshaw notes his assumption that this is most likely an unintentional bug, which I would have to agree with, but it could be a positive thing for those advertising with AdWords by purchasing the sponsored link, and finding your ad appearing in the natural SERPs, with the title www.Google.com. Many searchers may find your listing attractive and if your destination page is highly relevant to the search term this could generate some qualified attention and sales. Now that said, this is certainly not a common item, and I am sure it will be resolved quickly. I don't recommend clicking on the paid ad as I am sure the people at DiscountSchoolSupply do not want the extra charges to their Google account - but at least they have the top 4 results in MSN for the time being.