Google AdWords Bans Price Comparison Sites
(Google announced this in September. But I missed it, so I imagine others may have too.)
Google don’t ban competitors outright on AdWords. Instead, Google hike AdWords bids to make advertising untenable. Ten dollars per click to you, sir - and don’t forget to meet those vague (ergo unattainable) Quality Score factors!
The latest victims are price comparison sites and travel aggregators. Both are now unwelcome as AdWords advertisers. A statement on the Google AdWords blog reads:
The following types of websites are likely to merit low landing page quality scores and may be difficult to advertise affordably. In addition, it’s important for advertisers of these types of websites to adhere to our landing page quality guidelines regarding unique content.
- eBook sites that show frequent ads
- ‘Get rich quick’ sites
- Comparison shopping sites
- Travel aggregators
- Affiliates that don’t comply with our affiliate guidelines
(Via SEObook)
If you are wondering why Google list travel aggregators and price comparison sites next to get rick quick scams, there are two answers:
1. Google runs a mediocre price comparison site.
2. Google has already taken baby steps in the travel vertical with a travel Onebox.
Graywolf nailed it last month:
Why don’t you just come out and say listen we’re going to charge you whatever we want to, and there’s nothing you can do except pay it. At least I’d respect you for not lying to me.
Did anyone say abuse of monopoly power?
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:35 pm
A very interesting development - good post.
Regular affiliates have no chance with the ridiculous cost per clicks but I noticed that a few larger comparison sites are still advertising on AdWords (ran a search for Sony KDL-26T3000 and got Pricerunner, Ciao ads etc.). They’re decent sized companies - have they negtotiated a deal maybe? Or maybe it’s a loss leader with branding in mind?
Either way it’s a worrying trend - who’s Google going to pick on next?!