Articles by Elizabeth Marsten
Elizabeth Marsten // 23 Nov, 2010
Taking the Microsoft AdExcellence Exam Part 1
Back in 2006 I took this little test for Yahoo to become a Search Ambassador. The test was pretty silly, a few of the questions actually required an answer that proclaimed Yahoo to be the greatest like “With the most searches globally, which search engine has more than X million searches?” Choose from Google, Yahoo,… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 9 Nov, 2010
AdCenter Syndicated Search Partners- The Content Network of 2006
I’m sure someone in branding at Google had a reason for trying to rename the Content Network the Display Network, if only to help us all forget about those awful lists of sites and thousands of impressions where clicks went to die, were unmanageable and never made a cent. Welcome to 2010, where as usual,… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 28 Oct, 2010
Pimping Out Product Extension Ads
As of Thursday the 14th of October, Google released additional attributes that you and I can use to control and track those products that show up in product extension ads better. And as of Wednesday, October 17th, 2012, Google is moving to an all paid platform, so I’ve updated this post. Each item that has… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 11 Oct, 2010
Using Negative Keywords to Direct Traffic
Not a new concept by any means, but more and more accounts aren’t using it enough. With the introduction of modified broad match advertisers should consider using keyword lists from one ad group or campaign to filter and “push” traffic from one ad group to another. In order for this work though, you’ve got to… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 9 Sep, 2010
Google Instant Search and PPC – What Does it Mean?
I couldn’t resist. A chance to reference double rainbow guy came along and I took it. You know you would too. Google Instant Search launches, SEOs and PPCers alike start speculating, predicting and of course playing with it. But seriously, what does it means for PPC? Here are the basics: Google says ad impressions will… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 20 Aug, 2010
Applying to Portent
As I get deeper and deeper into the roles of director and get more involved with the personnel decisions and training, it occurs to me how very little people actually utilize the resources available to them when scoping out a company like Portent. And how those little things are actually applicable to any job or… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 12 Aug, 2010
Transferring Google Base and Google Webmaster Tools
In AdWords the ability to utilize the product ads option of linking a client’s Google Merchant (otherwise known as Base) account to their AdWords is a oft-used and loved feature by Portent. Google Merchant Center is free and of course, anything you can do in AdWords to stand out on a SERP is a plus-… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 5 Aug, 2010
MSN AdCenter Secrets- While They Last!
Before the merge happens completely, it occurred to me that I should be sharing the tips and tricks that I had in my SMX Advanced presentation in June of this year. So you can either check out the full presentation for Test that Ad! below or just keep on reading for some great tidbits of… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 19 Jul, 2010
PPC Negative Keyword Tales
We all know what a negative keyword list is- the qualifiers around your keywords that you don’t want associated with your business or ads. Words like free, cheap, download and wholesale are quite popular and there are some great lists out there in the hundreds of common keywords you should be adding. But- when is… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 7 Jul, 2010
Portent Floods Finally…From the Inside
Well, here we were waiting all winter long for the Green River to crest its’ banks, meet the black wall of sandbags that block the trail from nothing but people (since water goes around things afterall) and our patience was finally rewarded. OK, it’s not THAT bad, but it is rather inconvenient as we are… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 6 Jul, 2010
Fun Facts & Tips About AdCenter and Yahoo Paid Search Alliance
Look out it’s coming, the rhymes with “bustercluck” search alliance known as Microhoo. Or as they like to call it “the creation of the unified marketplace.” As we paid search marketers are all aware, October is the intended date in which the Yahoo paid search interface will cease to exist and everything will be managed… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 1 Jul, 2010
Huzzah! Workshop Series in Seattle
Wappow Search and Social Workshops are holding great beginner, intermediate and advanced courses this month! I know they’re great because both Ian and myself will be leading sessions! (Hey, you’ve got to brag modestly somewhere, right?) Learn how to build your business and manage your brand online. 1 day of intense learning from search engine… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 8 Jun, 2010
BP’s Buying the Oil Spill
ABC News posted a story over the weekend about one of BP’s latest efforts to control the complete and total beating that their reputation has taken and that is: buying PPC ads on keywords like “oil spill” “oil spill clean up” and “oil disaster gulf of mexico” at a rate predicted around $10,000 per day.… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 4 Jun, 2010
Speaking at SMX Advanced 2010
If you’re one of the lucky few going to this sold out conference, be sure to come by and check out the paid search track session- Test that Ad! on Tuesday at 3:30pm. I’ll be speaking on some themes to test, tricks to test and things to try! Paid Search Track Test That Ad! –… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten // 1 Jun, 2010
Google AdWords Search Partner Network
Dear Google, It’s time. You’ve given us the ability to segment out search from search partner traffic and yes, we see it now- search partners aren’t so great. We’d like control now so we can make it great. Don’t get me wrong, I love a lot of the new features- the extensions tab, product extensions,… Read More