Google Adwords “Automatic Matching” Feature

by kirtok on June 8, 2008

in PPC Marketing

Google Adwords Automatic Matching

Google Adwords is launching a new feature called “Automatic Matching”.  Previously, Adwords had three keyword match options; Exact, Phrase, and Broad.

Automatic matching is a wider option than the broad match.  In broad match, if you bid for jordan, your ads might show for keyphrases like “jordan shoes”, “michael jordan”, “capital of jordan”, “president of jordan”, etc.  With the use of negative keywords, broad match might be a good option for some campaigns.

When I start a brand new adwords campaign, depending on the case, I might turn the broad match option on, and use conversion tracking to analyze the converting keywords, and come up with a list of negative keywords to add into the campaign later on.  But I have never been a big fan of broad match.

Unless, you are seasoned PPC marketer, you have to be very careful about broad match, especially with the new feature “automatic matching”.  Let’s go with an example;

You’d like to promote michael jordan brand and products.  For the keyword you enter “Michael Jordan”, but if the automatic matching feature is on within your campaign, your ad might show up for basketball related searches such as “MVP NBA”, “Basketball”, “legendary basketball players”.  Because Google’s algorithm will see these keywords laterally related to “Michael Jordan”, and will try to spend your unspent ad budget with these keywords.

As I said, if you are seasoned PPC marketer, you might come up with several ideas to use this feature, but if you are not, I’d highly suggest turning this feature off within your campaigns.  If you like to try it, you have to implement Google Conversion Tracker and track each keyword’s ROI.

If you’re account is eligible for the new automatic matching; Go into your account campaign settings, in the advanced options settings there is a new option for Automatic Matching. Check or uncheck the box where it says ”Show ads on more search queries without adding keywords”.  Here’s a screenshot:

Google Adwords is all about the ROI and numbers game.  You have to follow the new features, and updates closely in order not to lose any money.  Also remember to track your campaigns within keyword level.  That’s how you will get the best buck out of your advertising budget.

Stay In The Loop!

Subscribe to Kirtok.com feed via RSS or Email to receive notifications when new posts are published.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1400 September 8, 2008 at 11:46 am

Dear Kirtok, you do deserve glorification:) i want to write more when i have time more.
My comments for this article:
i believe that these are the first steps of semantic web, with time there may be linguistic features to specify meaning of the words we choose. With a turkish example: “Yuz” may have the meaning: to swim, face, hundred, if i have a business on swimming suits, i dont want to lose money on searches based on face. Or maybe in Semantic web, the search will be automatically guided through the related meaning. That semantic part really makes me excited :)

Reply

1400 September 8, 2008 at 11:54 am

feedback: well i could not find a place to feed back, so i m leaving here :)
when i wanted to go back to home page, by default:) i went up and clicked on Ahmet KIRTOK , i m sure you got me, and an
An Entrepreneur in NYC
opinion box maybe to leave this kind of general comments, why not? :)

Reply

Webmaster | Web Development October 14, 2008 at 6:51 am

Hi,
I have read this Blog and you have shared good information about SEO
Nice Post!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Webmaster
Web development | Ecommerce solutions

Reply

Serafettin Arslan October 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Good Job

Reply

Erick November 30, 2008 at 8:20 pm

Two thumbs down. I don’t see a practical use for this, I would rather see people think “Laterally” on their own where appropriate. This will just lead to a reduction of CTR, as the ads will most likely not match the ads well at all.

Reply

Jmax December 11, 2008 at 10:28 am

And you will not be able to use a third part tracking efficiently…

Using the search query report ? Hum… this is only good to create negative keywords… but most of the time you have ‘x other queries’.
Shall I told my client, you pay £xxx this week on ’5 other queries’!

Reply

Leave a Comment