Comments on: Google Makes Exception To Display URL Policy For Large Advertiser?

By: Local Search Hound

Local Search Hound — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:01:13 +0000

Thanks for the info Dan… I recommend anyone interested in this to click through the link in the previous comment.

It appears that Google has not enforced the change yet. And that there has been NO grandfathering of existing ads.

And also that ReachLocal has indeed been granted an exception.

Again, I recommend that you click through the links provided on this post to Vizion Interactive; Bill Hartzer has provided excellent coverage of this story.

I can’t, however, help feeling a little disappointed with the apparent outcome.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:08:55 +0000

Tim,
I went to read Bill’s blog and it is different than the one you linked. Apparently he updated the blog with different information. http://www.vizioninteractive.com/advertisers-granted-exception-to-google-adwords-display-url-policy/
It appears Reach Local uses a proxy technology for tracking, that is why they are granted an exemption.

Dan

By: Local Search Hound

Local Search Hound — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:48:53 +0000

Nice catch Sean… I just went back and re-read… here is another quote from Google..

“This policy will be strictly enforced for new ads, regardless of previous exceptions.”

So, it could be that current ads are grandfathered. Wow… that’s interesting. No wonder there is so much confusion. That point, IMHO, was not very well clarified on the Adwords blog.

Thanks again Sean for stopping by and providing that insight.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:09:27 +0000

The policy is for new ads only I think.

Maybe Reach local is getting a break, but perhaps you’ve just found an existing ad?

By: Local Search Hound

Local Search Hound — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:02:26 +0000

You’re certainly right about that Miriam, but I can’t help feeling this is different. Because of the importance of click thru rate. This will directly effect the pocketbook of anyone competing against a ReachLocal advertiser.

Assume, that setting up the display URL according to the policy, negatively impacts the ctr of their ads(a fair assumption, why else would they do it). That means that every single advertiser that appears above a ReachLocal advertiser will pay more for their ads. Maybe a little… maybe a lot… but more.

So, Google would end up benefiting from this, too. I truly hope everyone does the right thing here.

Thanks for weighing in on this Miriam… I really think this is important.

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:10:28 +0000

Hi Tim,
That’s really interesting. It’s not unprecedented that Google treats large businesses in a special way - think of the inside search and expanded listings big businesses get in the organic SERPs. But, I wonder if that’s what’s happening here, or if it’s a matter of Google not noticing what is happening.

I wonder if you’ll hear from someone at ReachLocal. It would be interesting to hear more about this.

Miriam