CONTENT NETWORK

[jeff_p]

Note: one-page landers don't fly on the CN, so you need to be prepared to create an entire mini site (yes, it's a pain in the ass).

I think people take it too far when they bust their ass for a minisite to boost QS. You can certainly get top positions with a simple, 1-page lander.

 

[bb_wolfe]

I think people take it too far when they bust their ass for a minisite to boost QS. You can certainly get top positions with a simple, 1-page lander.

Agreed, totally depends on the offer and audience.

 

[ImagesAndWords]

In my personal experience, direct linking on the adwords content network is very hard to pull off.

I can attest to that as well. Direct linking is becoming increasingly hard on the CN. G expects unique LPs for pretty much anything these days.

LP quality scoring on the CN has become a much bigger factor than it has been in the past. If it's a remotely competitive niche, forget about it. IMO, you're much better off making your own killer LP. Note: one-page landers don't fly on the CN, so you need to be prepared to create an entire mini site (yes, it's a pain in the ass). Also, if it appears that the only purpose of your LP is to send visitors to another site via aff links, the first human reviewer will shit-can your campaign (if the bot/algo doesn't automatically off the bat). G wants the LP to have useful content that stands on its own, not just a bridge page. It's a delicate balance that can make you want to ship Google a big box of dog shit.

Good post, man. To all the n00bs; Listen to this guy's advice.

I'm kind of hoping to try it out hardcore this week, will report back once I've spent a grand or two.

Can't wait to hear more on this..

I think people take it too far when they bust their ass for a minisite to boost QS. You can certainly get top positions with a simple, 1-page lander.

Yes you can get to top positions on the CN with a simple lander. But what sucks is that for many of the best niches suitable for the content network, a LP really only hinders conversions. I'm talking about low-payout niches like dating, rentals, simple form leads, etc. These are traditionally offers where you will do better without a LP from contextual traffic. Yet, Google CN now forces you to use one in order to have QS.

 

[joeburtonpulse]

I'm talking to a Pulse 360 rep right now and it's TONS easier than using only their web interface.

She had some great ideas RE: category placement and conversion tracking. Joe paints a rosy picture and I'm kind of hoping to try it out hardcore this week, will report back once I've spent a grand or two.

Keep me posted with how you are doing. Make sure your working closely with your rep because they can really give you a lot of tips about what works best.