If you're a regular reader of the blog, in the last year you've seen Google's advertising tools move in some exciting directions. We've introduced more data-driven and efficient campaign management with the new AdWords interface , easier account optimization with the Opportunities tab , and new ad formats like Ad Sitelinks and Product Extensions , to name a few. But where is advertising with Google headed next? Which new tools, formats and features will make it possible for you to communicate with your customers in more meaningful, creative ways? We've started a new project, Google Ad Innovations , to answer that very question. Google Ad Innovations is a website where you can explore Google's latest advertising technologies, watch short video demos to learn more, and try out select new tools. The technologies we'll highlight on Google Ad Innovations are at various stages of development, from early tests to fully released features. Here are a few of the new releases you'll find on Ad Innovations right now: Remarketing -- a way to show your ads to users who have previously visited your website as they browse sites across the Google Content Network AdWords Search Funnels -- a set of reports that help you understand the Google.com search ad click and impression behavior leading up to a conversion Location Extensions with multiple addresses -- an ad format which displays a list of nearby store locations when your customers are performing local searches Click-to-Call Extensions -- an ad format that let mobile phone users call you directly from your ads Analytics Intelligence -- a Google Analytics feature that automatically identifies significant changes in your site traffic Although there's a lot to look at on Ad Innovations, we want it to be more than a show and tell site. Every Ad Innovations page will have a feedback link: if you see a feature that can be improved, or if you think we've hit on a valuable new idea, let us know! The comments and suggestions you leave while using Google Ad Innovations will go directly to the Google team working on the feature. So, if you want to stay on the cutting edge of advertising products, visit Google Ad Innovations — we’ll regularly add new tools and features to the site, and we can't wait to hear what you think! Posted by Devin Sandoz, Product Marketing Manager
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Google Ad Innovations: Where ads are going next
Imagine your client is a travel company, and they're trying to excite users about deals to tropical Caribbean destinations. Users may come to the website, browse the offers and think about booking a trip, but decide that the deal is still not cheap enough. Then, they continue to browse the web. If your client later decides to offer discounted deals to the Carribean, how do they reach users who have already expressed interest in traveling there? To help you to do this, this week we're rolling out a new feature called remarketing. Any AdWords advertiser can use remarketing to reach users as they’re browsing the web on sites within the Google Content Network. Remarketing is a simple way to connect with users, based on their past interactions with your clients' websites. We began trialing remarketing last March as part of our interest-based advertising beta . We’ve received a tremendous response from the hundreds of advertisers who’ve been using it in recent months, across all industries - including automotive, retail, local and finance. We’ve seen that remarketing has worked well for many different kinds of advertisers - whether they’re looking to boost brand awareness, or drive clicks and sales, and whether they use display or text ads. For example, if you support search advertising clients, you can use remarketing to create an integrated campaign strategy for them. After driving traffic to their sites with search ads, you can then remarket to the users who reach their sites by showing them tailored ads on sites throughout the Google Content Network. You can easily set up and create a remarketing campaign for clients through the new “Audiences” tab in AdWords. A remarketing campaign allows you to take advantage of the same features and reports you can use today in AdWords - it’s really just a new way to reach the best audience for your clients' ads. (click for full size image) Here’s an example of how it works. Let’s say your client is a basketball team with tickets to sell. You can put a piece of code on the tickets page on the client's website, which will let you later show relevant ticket ads (such as last minute discounts) to everyone who has visited that page, as they subsequently browse sites in the Google Content Network. In addition to your own site, you can also remarket to users who visited your YouTube brand channel or clicked your YouTube homepage ad. You can also run a number of remarketing campaigns at the same time. For example, you could promote discount game tickets to users who’ve previously visited your client's tickets page, advertise VIP hospitality packages to users who clicked on his “How to get to the arena” page, and advertise a sale on team merchandise to users who’ve previously visited his YouTube brand channel. Remarketing is a great way for businesses to reach users who are likely to be highly receptive to their ads and special offers. For example, Intercontinental Hotels Group has used remarketing to reach potential customers who have visited one of their hotel websites: Ad by InterContinental Hotels Group using remarketing to offer incentive to users (click for full size image) It helps advertisers and websites get higher returns. It also means more relevant and useful ads for users, and more opportunities to receive special offers and discounts that may be of interest. As we announced when we launched interest-based advertising, we want to put users in control of the ads they see, so anyone can opt out of remarketing by using the Ads Preferences Manager . Our remarketing product complies with industry standards developed by self-regulatory groups such as the NAI and IAB and IAB UK. To get started with a remarketing campaign, visit the AdWords Help Center . Posted by Aitan Weinberg, Product Manager
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Now available: Reach the right audience through remarketing
The Internet is going mobile. Every week, tens of millions of people search on Google from their mobile phones and generate hundreds of millions of searches. They're looking for the best local sushi restaurant or a coupon for the store they're standing in front of. Mobile devices allow consumers to have a more personalized online experience, and with mobile ads, you can reach consumers while they're on-the-go. Please join Google for an upcoming webinar about what we're seeing in the mobile ads space and how to think about incorporating mobile into your marketing strategy. Specifically, we'll cover how you can: Understand mobile trends and what they mean for your business Drive consumer action online and in the store Optimize your strategies for the mobile platform Date and Time: March 2, 2010 at 11:00am PST / 1:00pm CST / 2:00pm EST Register here Posted by Leslie Hernandez, B2B Marketing
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We're thinking mobile, are you?
The winter games are in full swing with more than 80 countries vying to take home a medal. From February 12 through the 28th, milions from around the world will be tuning in to see the fierce competition. Viewers are already turning to YouTube for event highlights, interviews, and other great games-related content and will continue to do so over the remaining week of competition. The scale of these events is tremendous with an enormous opportunity for businesses to get in front of a global audience. It’s not too late to take advantage of these engaged viewers on YouTube! Leverage these quick and easy tactics to get your campaigns running and take home a gold medal for your client: 1. Enhanced Online Campaigns: Target YouTube.com and create keyword themes around the events that are relevant to your client. Use 300x250 display ads (Tip: use Display ad builder to create high quality ads at no cost). 2. Placement Targeted Campaigns: Use the Video targeting tool to find relevant content on YouTube. With this new tool, you can target video content by video, demographic or interest. Within these campaigns, use text ads, 480x70 and 300x250 ads to capture the attention of users. Leverage these tactics to place your ads in front of a global audience as they seek out games content and a taste of Vancouver. You too can be in the spotlight during the games without training six hours a day! Posted by Jennifer Wasson, YouTube Ads Strategist
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Go for the Gold with YouTube
You may have seen Google's Superbowl ad this past Sunday and have gotten a taste of what a love story might look like when told as a series of search results. Of course, that was just one example; it's certainly possible to find romance outside of Paris. With total 2010 Valentine's Day spending expected to reach $14.1B 1 , there are ample opportunities for you to inject a little romance into your own clients' campaigns to ensure they have the biggest impact in the next few days. Here are some quick tips: 1. Ad Copy: Activate and create new text ads that specifically mention Valentine's Day. This serves as a reminder for users that the date is almost here. In addition, create a sense of urgency in your ad text. Shipping deadlines, or a Valentine's Day countdown (i.e., Only 5 Days Until Valentine's!) may make your advertisement that much more compelling and drive panicked, last minute shoppers to your clients. 2. Budget: Search traffic for "Valentine's Day" and "Valentines Day" is trending upward year over year. Ignoring this increased traffic is a missed opportunity for conversions. Increasing budgets where possible will ensure you capture relevant traffic and capitalize on all conversion opportunities. Consider using the Bid Simulator to simulate various scenarios based on your bidding strategy and improve profitability of campaigns. 3. Keyword expansions: Capture additional traffic for your clients with expanded keyword lists. Try the Search-based Keyword Tool and take a look at the organic search queries reported in Google Analytics for new keyword ideas. Use Google Insights for Search to understand where your clients' products or services intersect with increased search activity. In addition to category specific opportunities, remember to target consumers looking for gift ideas. Women may be particularly interested in such suggestions - searches for "gifts for boyfriend" were up +250% y/y . 4. Expand reach: Use Ad Planner to reach your clients' target demographic on the Google Content Network and compliment search campaigns for maximum impact. Combine relevancy and targeting with eye catching visuals using Google's Display Ad Builder . For additional resources, be sure to visit the AdWords Help Center . Happy Valentine's Day! [1] the NRF 2010 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted for NRF by BIGresearch Posted by Yael Davidowitz-neu, Retail Team and Evan Ortiz, Agency Team
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Help clients spread a little love this Valentine's Day