Hey… Click on My #$(@^)% ad! & Other What Not To Do’s When Writing Your Google AdWords Ads
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One of the most popular methods of PPC advertising is using Google’s ad serving platform, AdWords. While most people understand the basics of how it works, from picking keywords and creating ads, most people don’t have a thorough understanding of the AdWords editorial and content policies. And Google not only has algorithms in place to monitor the ads, but editors (real people!) who also make sure that all AdWords ads adhere to the policies. So here’s what to avoid if you want to keep your site up and running
This is my $$(@$%&@ing ad – Using Inappropriate or Offensive Language
This should seem obvious, and I’m sure no John Cow readers would ever resort to such dastardly tricks, but you’d be surprised with the number of people who try and get away with this. As a shock tactic, it may work in the short-term to get you come clicks, but this kind of as will get noticed fast and get taken down. If you’ve managed to be really offensive, or have tried this multiple times, your site will get shut down as well.
And don’t assume that you can get away with double entendres or being clever. While the Google algorithms may not get it, you can be sure the editors will. This is a cheap tactic, and not worth getting your campaign pulled.
G**gle and M*cr*s*ft click here – Using Copyrighted or Trademarked Terms
You didn’t think I’d actually use trademarked terms, did you? Much like Google, I don’t want to be sued for trademark infringement. And using the asterisks like I did won’t work in your AdWords ad either – if you could figure out what I meant, then so will the editors.
Free** Stuff (**well, not really free) – Misleading Offers, Special Prices, or Discounts
If you mention a special deal, price, or discount, make sure that the offer mentioned in the ad is prominently displayed on the landing page. Be careful on this one – even if you’ve used a valid offer in your ad, and it exists somewhere else on your site, but can’t be found on the landing page, then your ad will get flagged and removed.
Click here…but you’ll really end up here – Redirecting to a Different URL
In the past, some advertisers took advantage of a grey area in Google’s policies to redirect users to a site completely different than the one indicated in the ad. Google has since cracked down on this practice and expects to see the user taken directly to the URL listed in the ad, or, you guessed it, they will shut down your campaign.
We’re the best ever! Woo #1! – Using Superlatives or Competitive Claims
You may think that you’re the best in the world, or that you can beat your competitors with one hand tied behind your back, but if you don’t have the proof or 3rd party validation to back it up (and your mom doesn’t count) then don’t use the claim in your AdWords Ad.
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font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; } img {border:none;} John Cow dot ComHey Click on My #$(@^)% ad! Other What Not To Dos When Writing Your Google AdWords AdsPosted: 13 Mar 2009 05:51 AM PDT One of the most popular methods of PPC advertising is using Google’s ad serving platform, AdWords. While most people understand the basics of how it works, from picking keywords and creating ads, most people don’t have a thorough un
Each point is true. Especially the superlative claims. The cliams like “Make $200 in 5 minutes” and so on stop me from clicking those ads!
I totally hate clicking on a banner about something and getting directed to a site totally off topic. It’s just a matter of time before those type of campaigns are banned.
-Mike
I think what you are referring to is CPA ads, they geo-track, for example if you’re not in the USA you get redirected to another broad cpa offer like twinkyads. IF you Are from the USA then you are taken to the page you oringally clicked on.
Hey Cow,
Totally agree. I think we lose sight of “the big picture” sometimes when we are struggling to develop a profitable campaign. It can get frustrating, which may lead a person to make one of the mistakes mentioned above to try and get a higher CTR. Getting caught for just one of these violations of their TOS could have your account shut down, which means you lose all the work that you have into that account, including your honest work. So plain and simple, it is just not worth it. Rather, take time to look at your copy from the other side, as a potential ‘clicker’. Have a friend review your copy. There are plenty of ads created that a surfer just can’t help but click and they follow the rules. Persistence and patience, rework and retest, and retest some more and research….put in the time, and eventually you’ll find the right copy and from there, its gravy!
Cheers!
Jeromy (AKA Hillbilly)
“Free** Stuff (**well, not really free) – Misleading Offers, Special Prices, or Discounts” ha ha ha, it real not thing really free, but almost affiliate marketer always use this trick.
I personally don’t like the way of banner appearing but so many people like to use them and some visit the one without their will.
LOL, I have seen so many ads which say click here, good for the people who use Adsense