Advertising To Sites On Google AdWords For The Same Phrases

[Chris.C]

OK so today I was looking for confirmation in the Google AdWords policies that the same company can't advertise different sites via the AdWords system for the same keyword phrases, and I couldn't find any reference to this rule, but I remember it being a rule a few years back.

Have they removed this restriction?


I'm asking because I'm in the process of developing and launching a new site which I would also like to promote via Google AdWords, if possible, using some of the same keyword phrases that I current advertise another site for and I was just wondering if anyone could offer some advice/feedback as to if this allowed or not?

The new site in the same niche as the current site, but it provides a different service - if that makes any difference.

So can I do this or do we need to setup a separate account/company or something?

Thanks.

 

[snoopy]

I don't think they will show more than one ad from the same account. To do you this you'd need a separate adwords account in the name of a different entity to be compliant I think. Even then I personally wouldn't chance it as it is perhaps likely to raise red flags and/or draw complaints from competitors.

 

[DavidL]

Yes you'd need a different account. It's not that it's against ToS or anything just the mechanics of the system will only show one ad per account.

You also need to remember that by doing this you will also effectively be competing against yourself in an auction this driving up the CPC.

Of course could still be worth doing depending on your needs

 

[Chris.C]

I don't think they will show more than one ad from the same account. To do you this you'd need a separate adwords account in the name of a different entity to be compliant I think. Even then I personally wouldn't chance it as it is perhaps likely to raise red flags and/or draw complaints from competitors.

This is what I thought the rule was and we were already in the process of pacing the domain into it's own separate company to potentially offer us this option as well as conceal for the rest of the industry that it is indeed us who owns it.

That said, the site is meant to be "somewhat" of an industry "independent" site (at least in the short term).

That said, I can't find these points in their terms of use any more any more.

And yeah I'm definitely a little concerned it might draw complaints.

I have a couple of Google AdWords reps that I have dealt with previously that I have shot off a couple of emails to, but as per typical Google customer service the response time hasn't been what you'd call "timely"...

Yes you'd need a different account. It's not that it's against ToS or anything just the mechanics of the system will only show one ad per account.

That's the first time I've heard that, but it's good to hear.

You also need to remember that by doing this you will also effectively be competing against yourself in an auction this driving up the CPC.

Yeah I understand this.

 

[findtim]

Wouldn't google NOT want 1 business to perhaps capture the top position?

if your business model is based on adwords you would need to be careful so you don't want to be banned.


tim

 

[snoopy]

Yes you'd need a different account. It's not that it's against ToS or anything just the mechanics of the system will only show one ad per account.

You also need to remember that by doing this you will also effectively be competing against yourself in an auction this driving up the CPC.

umm, yes it is against Google TOS.

http://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2600168

 

[snoopy]

Wouldn't google NOT want 1 business to perhaps capture the top position?

if your business model is based on adwords you would need to be careful so you don't want to be banned.


tim

Nothing wrong with 1 business constantly having the top position, the issue is when they have multiple positions (basically becomes spam/poor user experience).

 

[DavidL]

umm, yes it is against Google TOS.

What's with the stutter?

In fact it's only against policy if you own and control both sites and at least two of the following conditions are met:

•Common product offering: For physical goods being sold, the sites share an overlap in inventory of 80% or more.
•Similar pricing: When pricing is available on the sites, there's a price difference between the sites of 25% or less for substantially the same product or service.
•Similar user experience: The sites present the user with a substantially similar customer experience. For example, the sites offer the same or similar type of service for which the customer can expect to receive the same or similar level of Support (defined below).
•Brand: The sites have non-differentiated Brands (defined below) for which either the brand name is the same or the logo is the same

So if someone else owns the other site (ie you're just running the Adwords campaign for them) then you're fine.

Even if you do own both sites, just make sure two of above factors aren't the case (which is pretty easy to do and makes sense anyway)

Hope that helps.

 

[snoopy]

So if someone else owns the other site (ie you're just running the Adwords campaign for them) then you're fine.

Clearly not the case here, and unlikely anyone is going to be running a site for a competitor. If they were though, it would still be caught by the "control" clause.

"Common ownership occurs when the same entity, whether an individual or a business, owns or controls one or more of the sites in question at the time of multiple ad serving."

Even if you do own both sites, just make sure two of above factors aren't the case (which is pretty easy to do and makes sense anyway)

Hope that helps.

I don't think that is going to be easy to do, means the business needs to be very different. The "similar user experience" is going to be hard to avoid a lot of the time so I think it will come down to different brands/pricing/product offering.

Most competing sites would have numerous factors that are the same (ie similar price bracket, similar service/support, similar brands) so I think it will be difficult to have 3 out 4 different.

 

[DavidL]

Chris did say:

The new site in the same niche as the current site, but it provides a different service - if that makes any difference.

So on that basis I don't think he'd have a problem. I'm guessing might be like you want to sell car finance and car insurance and want to promote distinct sites for keywords like 'buying a new car'.

But as I said before, you would need another account. The mechanics of the Adwords system will only allow one ad to show per KW. It's not a ToS thing it's just built in

 

[Snooks]

I may not be understanding the issue fully so excuse me if im off track.

I run a heavy ad campaign at this stime of the year and the one campaign has 4 different ads. Totally different ads, similar keywords, for the same company.

I have never see me holding 2 ad positions, google either rotates the ad, shows the most relevent ad based on the keyword or will show the BETTER PERFORMING AD at that stage.

I hide nothing and all is above board and OK with Google. Like i said, i hope im understanding your problem correctly.

 

[findtim]

i think we were talking about having multiple accounts with google eg:
darts.com

dartsetc.com

buydarts.com

and cramming the market

then in the end all sales go back to the 1 warehouse

its easy to do and i see it happening with some of my competitors.

tim

 

[Chris.C]

Yes I'm talking about having multiple accounts basically.

And yes I have seen my competitors do it also. Different domains owned by the same entity.

Of course this is just creating what is referred to as an economic race to the bottom where the only long run winner is Google...

 

[findtim]

Yes I'm talking about having multiple accounts basically.

And yes I have seen my competitors do it also. Different domains owned by the same entity.

Of course this is just creating what is referred to as an economic race to the bottom where the only long run winner is Google...

thats not true, if it was then nobody would be using adwords.

its about balancing your google spend CPC & CTR with conversion rates, if you are not converting then you have the wrong advert.

tim

 

[Snooks]

I see......
So my dartshop.com.au, dartshopS.com.au and darts.net all have an account with G and then all bid via adwords....meaning you can refrain from bidding too high and eventually get the top bids down, reducing cost, whilst having 3 bites at the cherry.

Interesting concept and i cant see how G can stop 3 legitimate websites all having an account and all bidding in the same field. Lets assume you had a partner in each domain, then wouldnt that be a restraint of trade?

You would need to be careful but i can see how it would be awesome in some aspects.

 

[findtim]

I see......
So my dartshop.com.au, dartshopS.com.au and darts.net all have an account with G and then all bid via adwords....meaning you can refrain from bidding too high and eventually get the top bids down, reducing cost, whilst having 3 bites at the cherry.

Interesting concept and i cant see how G can stop 3 legitimate websites all having an account and all bidding in the same field. Lets assume you had a partner in each domain, then wouldnt that be a restraint of trade?

You would need to be careful but i can see how it would be awesome in some aspects.

google can track you in many ways, more then when your mother knows you are lying to her

if you want to do it seriously then COR it to someone , use THEIR credit card put the domain on a different host

we would never do it here , we would never have got different phone numbers etc as we would then take up 2 spaces sometimes 3.

its just "cost v income" the business i talk about has a good ROI so its worth it, high GP, if you are on a skinny GP then probably not worth it

we would never COR to my sisters who have different last names !

tim

 

[aus11]

google can track you in many ways, more then when your mother knows you are lying to her

if you want to do it seriously then COR it to someone , use THEIR credit card put the domain on a different host

we would never do it here , we would never have got different phone numbers etc as we would then take up 2 spaces sometimes 3.

its just "cost v income" the business i talk about has a good ROI so its worth it, high GP, if you are on a skinny GP then probably not worth it

we would never COR to my sisters who have different last names !

tim

Did you make an effort to try and use every emoticon available in that response Tim? haha

 

[findtim]

Did you make an effort to try and use every emoticon available in that response Tim? haha

i think i missed a few LOL

but hopefully someone gets my point.

tim

 

[snoopy]

Yes I'm talking about having multiple accounts basically.

And yes I have seen my competitors do it also. Different domains owned by the same entity.

Of course this is just creating what is referred to as an economic race to the bottom where the only long run winner is Google...

Would notify Google of it. The policy is about user experience in my view. If the same company has lots of different spots then the user experience will be poor, which is a negative for Google.

 

[snoopy]

thats not true, if it was then nobody would be using adwords.

its about balancing your google spend CPC & CTR with conversion rates, if you are not converting then you have the wrong advert.

tim

What you talkin bout Willis?