Position of PPC ad on Google Search Results Page?

[Uncle Rico]

Anyone know what determines whether the top 2/3 PPC ads will appear directly above the organic listings or only on the right hand side? Or is it completly random?

 

[paul]

I'm thinking a major one would be the bid price. I'm sure quality score comes in too.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Sorry Paul, I don't mean in terms of getting your ad to a high position. I mean why do some search results have PPC ads at the top of the page (above organic listings) while sometimes there's none, only on the right hand side.

 

[paul]

Maybe they are more popular listings. Plus I'm sure they aim to avoid ad blindness.

 

[Redfly]

It has recently changed:
Google AdWords Help Center: How has the formula for top ad placement changed?

Bear in mind "top spot" in this FAQ means the spot(s) in the yellow box above organic listings.

You need to either have a high quality score and a reasonable max CPC or a low quality score and a VERY high bid to get the top positions.

In general, only ads/keywords with a high quality score are up there.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Thanks for the replys Paul and Dave.

 

[Redfly]

You're welcome.

 

[gav240z]

You're welcome.

Hi Dave,
One thing that confuses me, it used to be that you only spend 1 cent more than what your competitor below you is willing to spend.

However lets say for argument sake I'm spending €0.05 cent and beating a competitor to top place who is spending €0.50 cent and appears below me.

Am I charged €0.05 cent or min CPC as determined by Quality Score?

Hope that makes sense .

Cheers,

 

[Redfly]

Hi Dave,
One thing that confuses me, it used to be that you only spend 1 cent more than what your competitor below you is willing to spend.

However lets say for argument sake I'm spending €0.05 cent and beating a competitor to top place who is spending €0.50 cent and appears below me.

Am I charged €0.05 cent or min CPC as determined by Quality Score?

Hope that makes sense .

Cheers,

Hey Gav,
Yea, it used to be like that but since the second QS "roll" it is not any more. Everything is determined by QS.

But in general, if you have a great QS (minimum 1-3 cent bids) you can pretty much bid as high as you want and you'll get the best price possible. If your competition can be profitable (in general) paying more or equal to that, you should be too.

 

[Ahmed]

Anyone know what determines whether the top 2/3 PPC ads will appear directly above the organic listings or only on the right hand side? Or is it completly random?

Hi,

I think it depends on the weight of competition.

If you are concerned where your ad was exactly when it was clicked, just check your Google Analytics data under keyword positions

Wish i have been more helpful

Thanks

 

[PaulSymonds]

Adwords Position

It is not random because it does defintiely depends on quality score etc (it's one of the sections in the Adwords Certificiation) but you cnanot ascertain ahead of time for sure if there will be 0,1,2 or 3 listing on TOP of the search results.