Google AdWords Launches Bid Simulator Feature
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30th July 2009
Google AdWords is now rolling out a new feature called Bid Simulator, which shows advertisers what sort of click volume they might expect at various cost per click bid amounts.
The bid simulator can be accessed in the new AdWords interface by clicking on a CPC value to adjust it, or clicking on the tiny graph-like icon next to the current bid value, as shown in the screenshot below:
Accessing AdWords’ bid simulator
When the tool opens up in a new layer (on the same page), it shows a simulation of the estimated clicks, cost and impressions that particular keyword will get if the bid values are increased or decreased. The tool also includes a graph to illustrate the change in number of clicks as CPC changes.
AdWords bid simulator in action
Documentation provided by Google describes the function of the Bid Simulator: “It doesn’t predict the future, but it estimates the click, cost and impression data that your ads would have received over the last seven days had you set different keyword-level bids. ”
The tool does not work for all keywords, and the graph does not show up for all keywords that have the bid simulator enabled. Search volumes are the determining factor for whether or not the simulator and the graph within the simulator are enabled or not.
According to Google, “The bid simulator requires historical information in order to provide click and cost data for different bids. If a keyword didn’t receive many clicks in the last seven days, it isn’t possible to simulate clicks and cost.”
Values for the bid simulator only apply to the search network – that is, Google search and other search partners.
Tags: advertising, bid management, cpc, google, google adwords, ppc, search engine marketing
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2 Responses to “Google AdWords Launches Bid Simulator Feature”
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Interesting new feature, but not of much value to sites competing on terms with low impressions and click rates. I have not determined where the cut off is in regard to number of clicks requires for estimates, but 21 clicks per week does not seem to make the cut.
I’ve had negative results from the bid optimizer – it over-inflate your bid without providing an equal return of impressions/clicks. After testing this feature on a few keywords I won’t use it again as it greatly increased my CPCs without providing a significant amount of additional traffic. Looks like another attempt for Google to increase revenue from advertisers. http://twitpic.com/epyjb