AdWords Account Management – The Web Authority

November 22, 2024

Navigating the US Antitrust Trial Over Google Ads

Team reviewing a proposal from McCord Web Services.

On September 9th, Google faced a new antitrust trial centered on allegations of monopolistic behavior in digital advertising. This trial raises several concerns among our clients—chief among them being the trustworthiness of Google, the fairness of advertising costs, and the potential breakup of Google Ads.

While the trial unfolds, it is crucial to understand that any resulting changes will be implemented gradually, ensuring that your advertising costs remain transparent and competitive. Google’s defense argues that the digital advertising landscape is far more complex and competitive than depicted by the federal government. However, for those concerned about the potential impact on Google Ads, consider exploring alternative platforms like Microsoft Advertising and Facebook Ads.

Rest assured, we are committed to maximizing the value of your ad spend and will keep you updated on any developments affecting your advertising strategy.

November 22, 2024

Google Ads Update

Google Ads has introduced AI-powered enhancements to its Performance Max campaigns, focusing on asset testing, video optimization, and improved campaign management. Key updates include the integration of the Imagen 3 AI model for generating high-performing visuals. Advertisers will also benefit from advanced asset testing, allowing us to measure the impact of supplementary elements like images and text on product-feed campaigns.

Additionally, a new Ad Rank-based system will replace automatic prioritization, determining which ads are served when multiple campaign types target the same products or services.

These updates provide advertisers with new opportunities for us to optimize campaign performance, especially as businesses prepare for the holiday traffic season. The rollout of these features starts immediately, with some, like retail asset testing, available earlier in November.

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023

Strike… Google Institutes Penalties for Not Following the Rules

It’s called three strikes you’re out – Google has instituted new penalties to get advertisers’ attention to policy violations.

Our concern is the number of false positives that we routinely see and the difficulty in resolving these issues due to the inability to just pick up the phone and chat to a Googler. Since Covid, Google now has an “ask for a call” option. It appears that support is now based in India. Many times the return calls we get are marked as No Mo Robo calls and are blocked by Verizon after one ring.

Management of this new program will be problematic. Here’s just one example – a client sells trailer hitches. Images are frequently marked as violations as Google thinks the image of the trailer hitch looks like a gun.

Here’s the full release that Google has sent to advertisers and account managers.

Dear Advertiser,

In September 2021, Google will introduce a new strike-based system to enforce against advertisers who repeatedly violate Google Ads policies. We will begin implementing the strike-based system on Sep 21, 2021, with a gradual ramp up over a period of 3 months, for the following policies: Enabling dishonest behavior, Unapproved substances, Guns, gun parts and related products, Explosives, Other Weapons, and Tobacco. The policy coverage of the strike-based system will be expanded to add additional policies in phases over time and advertisers will be notified each time new policies are brought within scope of the strike-based system.

Please note that this update does not impact the account suspension procedures for egregious Google Ads policy violations.

What’s changing:

To help ensure a safe and positive experience for users, Google requires advertisers to comply with Google Ads policies. As a part of the Google Ads enforcement system, Google will begin issuing strikes to advertisers, which will be accompanied by email notifications and in-account notifications to encourage compliance and deter repeat violations of our policies.

An advertiser’s first policy violation will only result in a warning. But advertisers will earn their first strike if we detect continued violation of our policies. Advertisers will be able to receive a maximum of three strikes, and the penalties applied with each strike will progressively increase. Temporary account holds will be applied for the first and second strikes (for 3 and 7 days respectively), while the third strike will result in an account suspension.

An advertiser placed on a temporary account hold will be required to remedy the violations in question and to submit an acknowledgement form to resume serving ads. Following this acknowledgement, their account will be released from the temporary account hold state either 3 days after the first strike was issued, or after 7 days for a second strike. Advertisers can also appeal a strike decision if they believe it was issued in error. Ads will resume serving immediately after successfully appealing the strike. Accounts will remain on temporary hold if no action is taken by the advertiser to either acknowledge or appeal a strike. Strikes will remain on the Google Ads account for 90 days unless they’re successfully appealed.

Accounts suspended following a third strike will not be able to run any ads or create new content unless the suspension is successfully appealed. Learn more about suspended accounts.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

The Google Ads Team

To our blog readers, at McCord Web Services for visibility, we are just now starting to see the strike notices appear in the accounts. Remember three strikes means your account is suspended for 90 days and sometimes depending on the violations, forever.

September 25, 2023September 23, 2023

McCord Web Services and Google Ads Management

Our mascot Bandit McCord agrees you need McCord Web Services for Google Ads.

Are you struggling to manage your Google Ads account and campaigns? Getting your Google Ads strategy right is crucial for driving traffic and sales, but it can be complicated and time consuming to set up and optimize on your own. That’s where the managed services from McCord Web Services can help.

Even our company mascot Bandit agrees, that you need McCord Web Services for visibility with Google Ads.

McCord Web Services has over 15 years of experience successfully managing Google Ads accounts for businesses across many industries. Their team of Google Ads experts will handle all the heavy lifting for you – allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your business. Here are some of the key benefits of letting McCord Web Services manage your Google Ads campaigns:

1. Strategic Account Setup & Optimization: McCord Web’s team will thoroughly analyze your business, target audience, and goals to build an optimal Google Ads account structure. They’ll set up the right mix of ad groups, keywords, and ads to reach your ideal customers. The account will be closely monitored and optimized regularly to continually improve results.

2. Increased Exposure & Traffic: With the insight of an experienced digital marketing team making ongoing tweaks and updates, your ads and keywords will gain increased exposure and higher click-through rates. More qualified traffic will find your website and service offers.

3. Improved Conversion Rates: Beyond driving more traffic, McCord Web Services will optimize your accounts to convert visitors into leads and customers. From consulting on landing page experience to matching ad messages with intent, and conversions lift with expert management.

4. Saved Time & Improved Efficiency: Managing Google Ads well requires constant attention and effort. McCord Web’s services handle the workload for you, freeing up your schedule for higher value business activities. You gain all the benefits of Google Ads without the full-time commitment and extensive training requirement.

5. Access to Experience & Expertise: Google Ads platforms and best practices change frequently. McCord Web Services stays on top of all the developments. Their experience managing accounts across many industries means proven Google Ads expertise applied directly to growing your business.

Get Started Today with Help from McCord Web Services for Visibility

For businesses who want to maximize their return from Google Ads, McCord Web Services provides the solution. Their managed account services deliver the traffic, leads, and sales your Google Ads campaigns are capable of – without the headaches of tackling it alone. Contact us today to discuss how dedicated Google Ads management can benefit your business.