Strategic Paid Search Marketing
Automation Series
Optimize Your Search Campaigns with Google Smart Ads,
Competitor Analysis & Controlled Budget
10 - 10:45 am PT 12 - 12:45 am PT
KENSHOO PRESENTS:
AUTOMATION & CROSS-CHANNEL
CPC STRATEGY & ELITE SEM
PRESENTS:
BEING SMART WITH GOOGLE
SMART BIDDING
Today’s Timeline
ADTHENA PRESENTS:
5 BEST PRACTICES TO ELEVATE
SEARCH PERFORMANCE
11 - 11:45 am PT
Today’s Logistics
● Session recording and slides will be sent
● Submit questions to our panelists
● Join in on our poll questions throughout
● Resources available as handouts
Persephanie Arellano
Webinar Coordinator
Experts-Only Approach
Strategic acquisitions have positioned us as the
leading independent performance marketing agency
Search • Social • Amazon • Email • Display • Shopping & Data Feed • SEO • Affiliate •
Conversion Rate Optimization • Creative Services • Analytics & Marketing Science
Today’s Speakers
Lewis Brannon
Senior Retail Search
Manager
Aaron Levy
Director, SEM
Today’s Agenda
● Smart Bidding Overview / Concepts
● Bid strategies Breakdown & Use Cases
● Understanding Smart Shopping
● Smart Ads Guide - Responsive Search Ads
POLL QUESTION
Are you actively using Google smart bidding
strategies on your campaigns?
Smart Bidding 101
tbdWhy Use Smart Bidding?What Is Smart Bidding?
“...automatically optimize bids using advanced machine learning to get more
conversions within a performance target.”
Aims to address any of these
objectives:
● Increase Traffic
● Increase Visibility
● Get More Conversions
● Meet a ROAS Target
● Maximize Conversions at
a set cost per order
tbdWhy Use Smart Bidding?Smart Bidding - How to Use
Campaigns > Settings > Bidding > Change Bid Strategy
What is the technology
Pillar Concepts of Smart Bidding
Advanced
machine
learning
Large scale
contextual
signals
Flexible
performance
control
Smart Bidding Strategies
1
2
3
4
Maximize Clicks
Target Page Position
Target Impression Share
Target Outranking Share
Traffic / Visibility Focused
1
2
3
4
Target CPA
Target ROAS
Enhanced CPC
Maximize Conversions
Conversion Focused
Smart Bidding Strategies Breakdown
Bidding Strategies & Goals - Comparison Chart
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
SMALL TEXT
STACK TEXT ROW 1
STACK TEXT ROW 2
Target CPA
SPECS:
● Uses historical conversion data (must have) and contextual signals at auction to find optimal
bid
● Some conversions will be above target, but should balance towards target over time
● Excludes last few days of data
● Can set minimum and maximum bid levels (portfolio only)
TIPS:
● Set initial CPA in line with current CPA to start then adjust
● Set mobile bid modifier to 0% or break-out mobile into own campaign
● Keep ad group / keyword themes tight - works best with small groups (due to variance in
performance of keywords)
● Add audiences to see audience-level (RLSA) performance (but bids are ignored, unless -100%,
just like all modifiers).
Target CPA
Consider:
● Use this on campaigns
with high conversion
volume (Google
recommends 15
conversions in last 30
days)
● Seasonality impacts
● Let test run for at least 30
days before adjusting
● You still pay CPCs (it’s not
a commission model)
Get as many conversions as possible at a target cost per acquisition.
When to use:
● On highest conversion
volume campaigns / ad
groups / keywords (algo
likes data)
● When ROAS is below goal
but conversions are high
When not to use:
● On campaigns / ad groups
/ keywords with < 15
conversions in last 30 days
● If you are planning to
make major changes to
landing pages
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
We’ve been testing...
Target CPA Test
Key results overview:
● Successfully limited
impressions to more likely
converters
● Clicks decreased and got
more expensive, yet
conversions and revenue
improved
● CPA -2%
● Overall test was a success
due to gained efficiencies
and no drop in volume
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
SMALL TEXT
STACK TEXT ROW 1
STACK TEXT ROW 2
Maximize Conversions
SPECS:
● Evaluates contextual signals available at auction to find optimal bid to get the conversion
● Spends full budget in order to maximize conversions
● Does not work with a ROAS or CPA target
TIPS:
● Do not use if you have a strict ROAS or CPA goal
● Check your daily budget amount, if you’ve been spending less than your daily budget, this
strategy will increase spend significantly
Maximize Conversions
Consider:
● If you have a strict ROAS
or CPA target, if so, this is
not a good strategy
● Using this strategy with
new campaigns if the goal
is to drive volume, and
adjust later after volume is
established
Auto adjusts bids to get most conversions possible and spend full budget.
When to use:
● If goal of campaign is to
drive as many conversions
at possible with very
flexible ROAS or CPA
targets
● For new campaigns that
have no history and need
to drive volume quickly
When not to use:
● If you have ROAS or CPA
goals
● If your campaign is
spending significantly
below daily budget limit
● Perhaps ever???
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
We’ve been testing...
Maximize Conversions Test
Key results overview:
● Huge spend increase (duh)
● CPC spike was significant
● CTR decreased, indicating
less algorithmic focus on
quality traffic, more of a
shotgun approach
● Successful in driving
conversion volume and
revenue increase, but big
loss of efficiency (ROAS
dropped from 3:1 to 1:1)
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
SMALL TEXT
STACK TEXT ROW 1
STACK TEXT ROW 2
Target Impression Share
SPECS:
● Automatically sets bid with goal of reaching impression share target
● Available as standard strategy at campaign level or as portfolio (shared across multiple
campaigns)
● Can choose to target absolute top of page IS, top of page IS (above organic) or all search results
IS
TIPS:
● Understand difference between Abs. Top of Page IS, Top of Page IS, and all-search results IS
● Use bid limits, but don’t set them too low, otherwise the system can’t drive enough impressions
to reach IS goal
Target Impression Share
Consider:
● Make sure you
understand your current
impression share reports,
understand difference
between types of
impression share
● Have clear understanding
of competitive landscape
within your campaign(s)
Auto adjusts bids to reach impression share goals.
When to use:
● In small batch campaigns
(few keywords) with clear
visibility targets
● If goal of campaign is to
obtain a certain level of
competitive visibility on
certain key searches
● Conquesting competitor
keywords
● High volume generic /
category head terms
When not to use:
● Across large numbers of
keywords with varying
historical performance
● If ROAS or CPA is the
primary goal
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
We’ve been testing...
Target Impression Share Test
Key results overview:
● Goal was 75%, reached 73%
after 30 days
● Clicks got cheaper despite
CTR drop, indicating less
emphasis on Quality Score
● Drove more conversions
and revenue, but less
efficient (ROAS dropped
from 4.2 TO 3.1)
Smart Shopping
Copyright 2017 - Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit
Smart Shopping Defined
“Simplify your campaign management, maximize your conversion value,
and expand your reach with Smart Shopping campaigns. This campaign
subtype combines standard Shopping and display remarketing campaigns,
and uses automated bidding and ad placement to promote your products
and business across networks.”
-- Google
Smart Shopping Breakdown
● Designed for smaller, less sophisticated, resource-strapped advertisers
● Massive control limitations
● Misleading name (Includes Display)
● No independent control of network strategy
● No priority settings / no ISO
● SEARCH TERMS??!!
Smart Shopping Placements
● Image credit Google / DataFeedWatch
SHOPPING DISPLAY YOUTUBE GMAIL
Smart Shopping - Where it Might Make Sense
(But probably not)
● Small scale testing on low performance products / brands / collections, etc.
● Advertisers with limited resources / management skills / time and flexible ROAS
goals
● If search query segmentation / keyword targeting is not important to your business
Smart Ads Evolution - Responsive Ads
Responsive Search Ads
● Optimization through machine learning
○ 15 headlines, 4 descriptions
● Show more text and relevant messaging
○ Typically shows in the 3 headline
format
● Show up in more relevant searches
○ Potential boost to CTR and Quality
Score that can lead to more relevant
impression share
Responsive Search Ads
Responsive Search Ads - Tips
SMALL TEXT
STACK TEXT ROW 1
STACK TEXT ROW 2
Schedule Your 1-1
Search, Display & Social
Advertising Strategy Evaluation
Q & A
Lewis Brannon
Senior Retail Search
Manager
Aaron Levy
Director Paid Social,
SEM
Strategic Paid Search Marketing
Automation Series
Please hold for our next presentation starting at 11pm PT / 3pm ET
KENSHOO PRESENTS:
AUTOMATION & CROSS-CHANNEL
Optimize Your Search Campaigns with Google Smart Ads,
Competitor Analysis & Controlled Budget

HOW TO LEVERAGE GOOGLE’S SMART AD UNITS FOR PROFITABILITY

  • 1.
    Strategic Paid SearchMarketing Automation Series Optimize Your Search Campaigns with Google Smart Ads, Competitor Analysis & Controlled Budget
  • 2.
    10 - 10:45am PT 12 - 12:45 am PT KENSHOO PRESENTS: AUTOMATION & CROSS-CHANNEL CPC STRATEGY & ELITE SEM PRESENTS: BEING SMART WITH GOOGLE SMART BIDDING Today’s Timeline ADTHENA PRESENTS: 5 BEST PRACTICES TO ELEVATE SEARCH PERFORMANCE 11 - 11:45 am PT
  • 3.
    Today’s Logistics ● Sessionrecording and slides will be sent ● Submit questions to our panelists ● Join in on our poll questions throughout ● Resources available as handouts Persephanie Arellano Webinar Coordinator
  • 4.
    Experts-Only Approach Strategic acquisitionshave positioned us as the leading independent performance marketing agency Search • Social • Amazon • Email • Display • Shopping & Data Feed • SEO • Affiliate • Conversion Rate Optimization • Creative Services • Analytics & Marketing Science
  • 5.
    Today’s Speakers Lewis Brannon SeniorRetail Search Manager Aaron Levy Director, SEM
  • 6.
    Today’s Agenda ● SmartBidding Overview / Concepts ● Bid strategies Breakdown & Use Cases ● Understanding Smart Shopping ● Smart Ads Guide - Responsive Search Ads
  • 7.
    POLL QUESTION Are youactively using Google smart bidding strategies on your campaigns?
  • 8.
  • 9.
    tbdWhy Use SmartBidding?What Is Smart Bidding? “...automatically optimize bids using advanced machine learning to get more conversions within a performance target.” Aims to address any of these objectives: ● Increase Traffic ● Increase Visibility ● Get More Conversions ● Meet a ROAS Target ● Maximize Conversions at a set cost per order
  • 10.
    tbdWhy Use SmartBidding?Smart Bidding - How to Use Campaigns > Settings > Bidding > Change Bid Strategy
  • 11.
    What is thetechnology Pillar Concepts of Smart Bidding Advanced machine learning Large scale contextual signals Flexible performance control
  • 12.
    Smart Bidding Strategies 1 2 3 4 MaximizeClicks Target Page Position Target Impression Share Target Outranking Share Traffic / Visibility Focused 1 2 3 4 Target CPA Target ROAS Enhanced CPC Maximize Conversions Conversion Focused
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Bidding Strategies &Goals - Comparison Chart
  • 15.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit SMALL TEXT STACK TEXT ROW 1 STACK TEXT ROW 2 Target CPA SPECS: ● Uses historical conversion data (must have) and contextual signals at auction to find optimal bid ● Some conversions will be above target, but should balance towards target over time ● Excludes last few days of data ● Can set minimum and maximum bid levels (portfolio only) TIPS: ● Set initial CPA in line with current CPA to start then adjust ● Set mobile bid modifier to 0% or break-out mobile into own campaign ● Keep ad group / keyword themes tight - works best with small groups (due to variance in performance of keywords) ● Add audiences to see audience-level (RLSA) performance (but bids are ignored, unless -100%, just like all modifiers).
  • 16.
    Target CPA Consider: ● Usethis on campaigns with high conversion volume (Google recommends 15 conversions in last 30 days) ● Seasonality impacts ● Let test run for at least 30 days before adjusting ● You still pay CPCs (it’s not a commission model) Get as many conversions as possible at a target cost per acquisition. When to use: ● On highest conversion volume campaigns / ad groups / keywords (algo likes data) ● When ROAS is below goal but conversions are high When not to use: ● On campaigns / ad groups / keywords with < 15 conversions in last 30 days ● If you are planning to make major changes to landing pages
  • 17.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit We’ve been testing... Target CPA Test Key results overview: ● Successfully limited impressions to more likely converters ● Clicks decreased and got more expensive, yet conversions and revenue improved ● CPA -2% ● Overall test was a success due to gained efficiencies and no drop in volume
  • 18.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit SMALL TEXT STACK TEXT ROW 1 STACK TEXT ROW 2 Maximize Conversions SPECS: ● Evaluates contextual signals available at auction to find optimal bid to get the conversion ● Spends full budget in order to maximize conversions ● Does not work with a ROAS or CPA target TIPS: ● Do not use if you have a strict ROAS or CPA goal ● Check your daily budget amount, if you’ve been spending less than your daily budget, this strategy will increase spend significantly
  • 19.
    Maximize Conversions Consider: ● Ifyou have a strict ROAS or CPA target, if so, this is not a good strategy ● Using this strategy with new campaigns if the goal is to drive volume, and adjust later after volume is established Auto adjusts bids to get most conversions possible and spend full budget. When to use: ● If goal of campaign is to drive as many conversions at possible with very flexible ROAS or CPA targets ● For new campaigns that have no history and need to drive volume quickly When not to use: ● If you have ROAS or CPA goals ● If your campaign is spending significantly below daily budget limit ● Perhaps ever???
  • 20.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit We’ve been testing... Maximize Conversions Test Key results overview: ● Huge spend increase (duh) ● CPC spike was significant ● CTR decreased, indicating less algorithmic focus on quality traffic, more of a shotgun approach ● Successful in driving conversion volume and revenue increase, but big loss of efficiency (ROAS dropped from 3:1 to 1:1)
  • 21.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit SMALL TEXT STACK TEXT ROW 1 STACK TEXT ROW 2 Target Impression Share SPECS: ● Automatically sets bid with goal of reaching impression share target ● Available as standard strategy at campaign level or as portfolio (shared across multiple campaigns) ● Can choose to target absolute top of page IS, top of page IS (above organic) or all search results IS TIPS: ● Understand difference between Abs. Top of Page IS, Top of Page IS, and all-search results IS ● Use bid limits, but don’t set them too low, otherwise the system can’t drive enough impressions to reach IS goal
  • 22.
    Target Impression Share Consider: ●Make sure you understand your current impression share reports, understand difference between types of impression share ● Have clear understanding of competitive landscape within your campaign(s) Auto adjusts bids to reach impression share goals. When to use: ● In small batch campaigns (few keywords) with clear visibility targets ● If goal of campaign is to obtain a certain level of competitive visibility on certain key searches ● Conquesting competitor keywords ● High volume generic / category head terms When not to use: ● Across large numbers of keywords with varying historical performance ● If ROAS or CPA is the primary goal
  • 23.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit We’ve been testing... Target Impression Share Test Key results overview: ● Goal was 75%, reached 73% after 30 days ● Clicks got cheaper despite CTR drop, indicating less emphasis on Quality Score ● Drove more conversions and revenue, but less efficient (ROAS dropped from 4.2 TO 3.1)
  • 24.
  • 25.
    Copyright 2017 -Q4 Amazon Virtual Summit Smart Shopping Defined “Simplify your campaign management, maximize your conversion value, and expand your reach with Smart Shopping campaigns. This campaign subtype combines standard Shopping and display remarketing campaigns, and uses automated bidding and ad placement to promote your products and business across networks.” -- Google
  • 26.
    Smart Shopping Breakdown ●Designed for smaller, less sophisticated, resource-strapped advertisers ● Massive control limitations ● Misleading name (Includes Display) ● No independent control of network strategy ● No priority settings / no ISO ● SEARCH TERMS??!!
  • 27.
    Smart Shopping Placements ●Image credit Google / DataFeedWatch SHOPPING DISPLAY YOUTUBE GMAIL
  • 28.
    Smart Shopping -Where it Might Make Sense (But probably not) ● Small scale testing on low performance products / brands / collections, etc. ● Advertisers with limited resources / management skills / time and flexible ROAS goals ● If search query segmentation / keyword targeting is not important to your business
  • 29.
    Smart Ads Evolution- Responsive Ads
  • 30.
  • 31.
    ● Optimization throughmachine learning ○ 15 headlines, 4 descriptions ● Show more text and relevant messaging ○ Typically shows in the 3 headline format ● Show up in more relevant searches ○ Potential boost to CTR and Quality Score that can lead to more relevant impression share Responsive Search Ads
  • 32.
  • 33.
    SMALL TEXT STACK TEXTROW 1 STACK TEXT ROW 2 Schedule Your 1-1 Search, Display & Social Advertising Strategy Evaluation
  • 34.
    Q & A LewisBrannon Senior Retail Search Manager Aaron Levy Director Paid Social, SEM
  • 35.
    Strategic Paid SearchMarketing Automation Series Please hold for our next presentation starting at 11pm PT / 3pm ET KENSHOO PRESENTS: AUTOMATION & CROSS-CHANNEL Optimize Your Search Campaigns with Google Smart Ads, Competitor Analysis & Controlled Budget