Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword?

tierney211 · 07-24-2011, 01:29 PM

I am doing some keyword research for a market niche I've finally decided on, and I have one question that came up during my research...

For some keywords, there are 11 ppc ads (on the right side of the page), and others less.

Question 1: Does my common sense tell me that if there are only 7 ads for a similar keyword and 11 for another, that I can bid a very low price for the one with 7 and still get on the 1st page because there are still at least 4 spots available?

Question 2: what is the max # of ads on one page before a bidding war begins?

thanks for the knowledge!

tim

p.s. I was referring to google in this case.

alxvallejo · 07-24-2011, 03:55 PM

Yes you can probably bid very low but it doesn't sound like a competitive market!

paulgl · 07-24-2011, 05:12 PM

The logic is off. People do not realize that when they start out
they get a QS. Then they get that QS tweaked with every campaign.

Google does not just give any places to the highest bidder. If there
are not enough high QS to be in place, they do not go to the bottom
of the barrel and put an ad, just to have an ad there.

Many newbs have realized that they can bid the farm, and still not
get an ad to show.

There are also global advertises that get first crack at just about
anything close.

Bidding wars are always going on.

The part that is startling to many new adwords users, is google
will toss out all candidates and show no ads if these candidates
are just not worthy. No matter how high they bid.

The ads above the results are not part of the auction in a true
sense of the word. You cannot bid high enough to make those
slots. They are chosen from a select group that is beyond
reproach for the given term. Yes, they are still adwords customers.
How much they are charged is something I can't find. Sometimes
even this is left blank.

The other 8 (if there are that many) are chosen from the regular
auction. But, again, they may show 1 to 8 ads, no matter how many
have bid.

Google does not want to display junk ads that will get no clicks or
make the visitor mad that they clicked. That's why your QS for
that keyword matters and they don't just put the highest sap
that bids.

This may sound counter productive for their bottom line. But it's
not. It makes their searches valuable, and adwords ads meaningful.

Also, if people search for certain things in a non commercial way,
whatever that means, they probably will show no ads.

Is it perfect? No. Never will be as 99.99% of the behind the scenes
stuff is done by a non-human algo.

But they just had record profits, and their stock went up by
$100 (yes one hundred dollars) in one week.

They must be doing something right, contrary to the belief
that google is broken. If that's broken, don't ask to fix it.

Paul

tierney211 · 07-24-2011, 05:24 PM

Thank you for that input; I did always wonder how those top slot were chosen.

As a newbie, and anyone for that matter trying to get the largest return for every dollar, would it make sense to find another ppc search engine that isn't as strict (or expensive)?

With my limited knowledge, I'd say as long as there are keyword tools equivalent to googles, and the traffic is relative to the cost of each click...it would be a smart decision.

Start in a smaller pond, so to speak.

alxvallejo · 07-24-2011, 05:31 PM

Paul, I think you misinterpreted the question.

He's not questioning why his ad isn't showing if he bids higher. Nor is he questioning whether or not Google is "broken".

Clearly this is a commercial item if there are 7 ads being displayed. Also, maybe it's because I lack experience, but I assume his campaigns are set up properly so as not to be penalized by Google.

The question is simple. If only 7 people are bidding on a particular keyword and there are 3 open spots, can you technically bid 1 cent to have your ad shown on position 8? Position 7, to my understanding, is paying whatever Max CPC they set, regardless of QS since a QS of, say, 3 can still be shown on organic results.

07-24-2011, 01:29 PM	#1
tierney211 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 118 Thanks: 36 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword? I am doing some keyword research for a market niche I've finally decided on, and I have one question that came up during my research... For some keywords, there are 11 ppc ads (on the right side of the page), and others less. Question 1: Does my common sense tell me that if there are only 7 ads for a similar keyword and 11 for another, that I can bid a very low price for the one with 7 and still get on the 1st page because there are still at least 4 spots available? Question 2: what is the max # of ads on one page before a bidding war begins? thanks for the knowledge! tim p.s. I was referring to google in this case.
	"Do not act as if you had a thousand years to live." -Marcus Aurelius

07-24-2011, 03:55 PM	#2
alxvallejo HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New England Posts: 183 Thanks: 13 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword? Yes you can probably bid very low but it doesn't sound like a competitive market!

07-24-2011, 05:12 PM	#3
paulgl Plundering the Web War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 4,849 Thanks: 804 Thanked 1,199 Times in 886 Posts	Re: Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword? The logic is off. People do not realize that when they start out they get a QS. Then they get that QS tweaked with every campaign. Google does not just give any places to the highest bidder. If there are not enough high QS to be in place, they do not go to the bottom of the barrel and put an ad, just to have an ad there. Many newbs have realized that they can bid the farm, and still not get an ad to show. There are also global advertises that get first crack at just about anything close. Bidding wars are always going on. The part that is startling to many new adwords users, is google will toss out all candidates and show no ads if these candidates are just not worthy. No matter how high they bid. The ads above the results are not part of the auction in a true sense of the word. You cannot bid high enough to make those slots. They are chosen from a select group that is beyond reproach for the given term. Yes, they are still adwords customers. How much they are charged is something I can't find. Sometimes even this is left blank. The other 8 (if there are that many) are chosen from the regular auction. But, again, they may show 1 to 8 ads, no matter how many have bid. Google does not want to display junk ads that will get no clicks or make the visitor mad that they clicked. That's why your QS for that keyword matters and they don't just put the highest sap that bids. This may sound counter productive for their bottom line. But it's not. It makes their searches valuable, and adwords ads meaningful. Also, if people search for certain things in a non commercial way, whatever that means, they probably will show no ads. Is it perfect? No. Never will be as 99.99% of the behind the scenes stuff is done by a non-human algo. But they just had record profits, and their stock went up by $100 (yes one hundred dollars) in one week. They must be doing something right, contrary to the belief that google is broken. If that's broken, don't ask to fix it. Paul
	How to Make Money off Facebook: Login to your account. Deactivate your account. Get your butt to work.

07-24-2011, 05:24 PM	#4
tierney211 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 118 Thanks: 36 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword? Thank you for that input; I did always wonder how those top slot were chosen. As a newbie, and anyone for that matter trying to get the largest return for every dollar, would it make sense to find another ppc search engine that isn't as strict (or expensive)? With my limited knowledge, I'd say as long as there are keyword tools equivalent to googles, and the traffic is relative to the cost of each click...it would be a smart decision. Start in a smaller pond, so to speak.
	"Do not act as if you had a thousand years to live." -Marcus Aurelius

07-24-2011, 05:31 PM	#5
alxvallejo HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New England Posts: 183 Thanks: 13 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a limit to the # of PPC ads per keyword? Paul, I think you misinterpreted the question. He's not questioning why his ad isn't showing if he bids higher. Nor is he questioning whether or not Google is "broken". Clearly this is a commercial item if there are 7 ads being displayed. Also, maybe it's because I lack experience, but I assume his campaigns are set up properly so as not to be penalized by Google. The question is simple. If only 7 people are bidding on a particular keyword and there are 3 open spots, can you technically bid 1 cent to have your ad shown on position 8? Position 7, to my understanding, is paying whatever Max CPC they set, regardless of QS since a QS of, say, 3 can still be shown on organic results.