Google Adwords Keyword Tool CPC Different to my Other Keyword Tools
I have been noticing quite a few variations in CPC between the Google Adwords Keyword tool, and the other tools I am using.
Considering that these other tools usually get there CPC data from the Google Adwords Keyword tool, this does seem a little bit strange.
Okay, firstly there are no 100% accurate tools out there, and the CPC data that the Google Adwords keyword tool provides is only an estimate…
Though, even if the Google Adwords tool is off with it’s CPC estimate, then other tools who take their data CPC data from Google should have the exact same numbers(whether they are right or wrong)……
I am a huge fan of the Google Adwords external keyword tool and I have wrote a post about how to use the Google keyword tool to rank up high in the search results….though, I have noticed a lot of variations lately, between the Google Adwords keyword tool and the other tools I am using….
Not just CPC Data, but also I noticed the traffic volume numbers are sometimes out quite a bit, though, only for certain search keyword terms……
Some Google Adwords Keyword Tool CPC Estimates are Way Out When it Comes to Payout time!
Not only are there big differences in what CPC the Google Adwords tool is showing compared to other Keyword tools, but the actual CPC can be way off.
Some people have said that some keywords that show a CPC of around $1.00(for example) are only paying a few cents, and there are many other examples of this happening…
Here’s a thread called How accurate is the Google Adwords tool estimated CPC? by Cory tucker on the Board reader site.
The interesting thing you will read in the responses to Cory’s question, is that many people are using other keyword tools like Spyfu to get their CPC estimates and what the Google Adwords tool is showing for the CPC is way off, or people are getting paid way under the Adwords CPC estimate….
I have been hearing this for quite some time, though, I never realized just how many people have been affected by the huge difference in CPC.
What got me really interested in this topic now, is that I also noticed some really low CPC payouts, which do not even come close to what the Google Adwords Keyword tool CPC is showing….
I know there are a number of variables that can affect the CPC, though, it does make it a little confusing when there are such wide variations in CPC payouts……
I still think the Google Adwords Keyword tool is a great tool to use, whether you are looking for quality Keywords, and/ or Analyzing potential Adwords or getting some rough estimates of what you may get paid for quality Adsense keyword clicks….
Though, as far as the accuracy concerning the Google Adword Keyword tool CPC estimates, It can sometimes be a very “hit and miss” affair….
Your turn now!
What are your own thoughts and experiences with the Google Adwords Keyword tool CPC estimates?
Danny
Oh yes, I have noticed this too. Is it because there is a constant bidding for them that the prices do change constantly?
Hi there, Lisa.
Sorry about the late reply.
I am not running any Adwords campaigns at present, my interest is from the other side of the fence(returned CPC values—-payment per clicks average Adsense Ads)….
Though, what I found out was that to get a better idea of how the standard Adsense Ads CPC or even eCPM was being worked out, I needed to get to know more about the other side of the Google Adwords equation(learning how the Advertisers and the bidding process affects things in the long run–or even sometimes the short term)…mainly as the bidding for CPC ads or eCPC determines cost…though like everything else, there would be other factors at play, too…
The other side of the equation is the actual websites that are running the ads(who have Adsense ads displayed)….as how well they optimize their sites, and what improvements they make, can determine the quality of the Ads(advertisers) they will attract….(which leads to higher CPC payouts(and inadvertently a higher eCPM payout , too)…..
And possibly the number of new sites starting up and displaying ads within a given niche(topic) or in general, may also have sort of flow on effect on how cost then determined…
Eg: 3 million new sites set up within a similar niche, much of the content would revolve around similar keywords(topic related)…due to the flood of available publishes with same keywords targeted by Adwords advertisers, it would have to have some affect on pricing….then it would probably depend on search volume related to those niche keywords……
So whenever there is a large scale shift in the number of new sites opening up(or even closing down) in one niche area or another, this would probably have an affect.on Advertisers and on the revenue being earned by Adsense publishers……
Then there would be how many Adwords advertisers join up or quit doing Adwords campaigns, which would have to have some kind of affect on pricing and competition….
I have heard of some very large CPC’S and some major sized eCPM being paid out, so there is always some room for improved performance with Adsense….
I do spend a bit of time going through my Adsense and Analytics accounts checking out how well different pages are performing , and there is so much we can learn from doing this.
Bidding plays a part in how the CPC is calculated. Apparently, this can lead to big changes from both sides of the advertising fence…(how much advertisers pay, how much those displaying the Ads are paid).
To be honest, my main gripe was that some of the clicks payouts I had been receiving were way under even the leanest payout estimate possible…(which is not fun)….
I use other tools as well as the Google Adwords keyword tool, and I have noticed a few inconsistencies lately….which included traffic numbers and other vital data…
I know the Adwords tool data is just an estimate, and that’s probably the best way of looking at it….
Nice to see you here, Lisa…..
Best wishes for the new year,
Danny