Can you give me any advice on using the experiment option with keywords on Google Ads?

Short Answer: When using the experiment option with keywords on Google Ads, always run experiments on separate campaigns rather than your main money-making campaigns, and if your current campaign is performing well, it’s best not to make changes. Avoid experimenting on campaigns currently generating your main revenue, and consider using distinct geographic targeting, like a different city, for your test campaigns.

Full Explanation

Conducting experiments with keywords in Google Ads can be a valuable way to optimize your advertising efforts. However, it is crucial to protect your core revenue streams by not experimenting directly on campaigns that generate your primary income. Instead, create separate campaigns specifically for testing. Moreover, using a different city or a distinct geographic area for these experimental campaigns ensures that your main campaigns remain unaffected by any potential negative impacts of the experiment.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Identify Your Main Campaigns: Determine which campaigns currently drive your main revenue and avoid making experimental changes here.
2. Create Separate Campaigns: Set up new campaigns solely dedicated to experiments rather than adjusting your existing ones.
3. Use Different Geographic Targeting: Target a separate city or location for your experimental campaigns to isolate results and protect your primary markets.
4. Evaluate Performance: Monitor the experimental campaigns carefully to decide if any changes should be applied to your main campaigns eventually.
5. Adopt a “If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It” Mindset: Refrain from altering campaigns that are already performing well.

Real Examples

Imagine you have a campaign targeting a particular city that consistently brings in strong results. Instead of testing new keyword strategies within this campaign, you create a separate campaign targeting a different city where you test these keywords. This method allows you to see how the new keywords perform without risking disruption to your main campaign’s success.

Common Mistakes

• Running experiments directly on your key revenue-generating campaigns, which risks lowering performance.
• Testing new keywords without isolating the experiments geographically or by campaign, leading to unclear results.
• Changing campaigns that are already working well, disrupting stable ad performance.

FAQs

Q: Can I run experiments on any campaign?
A: It is best to avoid experimenting on campaigns that are your primary source of income.

Q: Should I use the same location for experiments?
A: No, use a different city or location than your main campaign to keep experiments isolated.

Q: What if my campaign is performing well?
A: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Key Takeaways

• Always run keyword experiments in separate campaigns to protect your main campaigns.
• Use different cities or geographic locations for experimental campaigns to isolate tests.
• Maintain stable campaigns that are already performing well without unnecessary changes.
• Carefully evaluate the results of your experiments before applying changes broadly.