Yahoo Optimizer - Part II
Posted by Administrator on Jul 1, 2008
In our final analysis of the Yahoo campaign optimizer our test results show manually adjusted bids consistantly performing better than those managed by the campaign optimizer.
As you can see, it is difficult for advertisers to make critical business decisions when data reporting consistantly runs 3+ hours behind. By the time reporting is updated a keyword or campaign can get out of control. 
What is your experience in using the Yahoo campaign optimizer vs. managing your keyword bids manually? Share your results with our readers.
Yahoo Optimizer - Does It Really Work?
Posted by Administrator on Jun 30, 2008
I’d love to think that the Yahoo Sponsored Search Campaign Optimizer works, but I’m not convinced it does. We set most of our Yahoo sponsored search campaigns to run with the “Optimizer” turned on. This feature allows you to enter some variables for some business action such as revenue or CPA (cost per action).
We tried this for several weeks and all we seemed to get were ulcers and the campaign optimizer could not maintain any level of consistancy for us. Below are a few screen shots:
As you can see from this first screen shot, The optimizer did not maintain our revenue projection, CPA, and allowed clicks on keywords run with no conversions.
Here’s a 2nd screen shot from another campaign:
Here’s what Yahoo had to say….
Read the rest of this entry »
Yahoo Trademark Block On Keywords Too Aggressive
Posted by Administrator on Jun 24, 2008
Yahoo as most search engines tries refrain from allowing advertisers to infringe on trademarked names, but has gone too far with its aggressive blockage of keyword phrases for sponsored search advertisers.
For example: If you try to advertise your product or service in Alamo California, Yahoo will decline your keywords because of the word “Alamo”, or possibly Gateway, Washington. Sure, Alamo and Gateway are recognizable trademarks, but does one business entity have the ability to block advertisers from using a single word to target different products or services that are not remotely related to rental cars or computers? There are literally hundreds of cities that fall under this scenario including single word trademarks that could easily apply to other products or services.
Additionally, try to bid on keywords for Gun Barrel City Texas or Rifle Colorado and you’ll find your advertising blocked because the names of the these cities are mistakenly identified with firearms.
Have you experienced anything similar? Has Yahoo blocked any of your keywords or sponsored ads for too aggressively blocking a possible trademark? Share your story with our readers.
Yahoo Sponsored Search Complaints
Posted by Administrator on Jun 21, 2008
Our daily spend rate with Yahoo puts at a Gold support level. We would like to be at the platinum level at some point, but until Yahoo gets their new sponsored search platform fixed that might not be possible.
We had our campaigns working well making incremental progress each day until Yahoo implemented their new platform. It flat out sucks and all you get is the standard company line when you call support. We have experienced a range of oddities from prices changing, deleted keywords un-deleting or un-pausing, price changes not working. We now spend 3+ hours per day doing Yahoo damage control.
It has gotten so bad for us that we now take screen shots of everything odd we find.
Yahoo sponsored search also has keywords / search terms mismatched. We found a keyword for our auto related business that mapped directly to a porn site. If you can find one smoking gun you are bound to find another. We are now searching our logs to see how many more keyword mismatches we can find.
Bottom line, the new Yahoo sponsored search does not work as advertised. It is now quirky where you could once rely on consistency. Conversations with some of our business partners and even competitors reveal the same inconsistencies and reduced ROI.
Beware of Companies Selling Clicks
Posted by Administrator on May 16, 2008
I recently met with a large nation-wide directory company offering their version of pay per click advertising, enhanced local listings, and banner advertising.
They essentially equate clicks and visits as customers or sales. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! If you’ve spent or wasted any money with online advertising, you’ve probably learned the hard way, that reports of guaranteed customers or sales are mostly false.
In today’s competitive market of online advertising there is no guarantee that a click or impression will add anything to your bottom line.
If you are going to spend money with online advertising, determine what it cost to generate a sale, acquire a customer, or a conversion to some action.
After two days of talking and sending emails back and forth, this large nation-wide directory could not understand the concept of Conversion Cost, only that getting clicks would send thousands of customers.
If you are spending money with online advertising, take some time to determine what it cost to generate a sale, acquire a customer, or achieve some type of conversion. If the company you are spending your dollars with cannot help you achieve, meet, or beat your determined conversion cost you are WASTING YOUR MONEY.
Look for next article on “Determining Your Conversion Cost”