While both mobile and desktop search campaigns use similar best practices, the way we search and browse the web on our mobile phones is slightly different than on our computers. Separating mobile and desktop campaigns and optimizing for performance on each platform will drive greater success for your clients intigrated marketing strategies.
Use Device and Click Type reporting to figure out exactly what is and is not working in your mobile search campaigns. Just like with desktop search, you can (and should) bid according to what is sending traffic to your site and what converts best. Pulling out high performing keywords and placing them into a separate mobile campaign can help drive additional traffic in a growing market.
(Example data. Click here to view image)
This holds true for placements and the mobile content network as well. When running a Placement Performance Report for mobile phones, take special note of the Ad Sense for Mobile Apps category of placements (they will show up as adsenseformobileapps.com in the report). You can drill down to the specific URL and gain insight into what apps you should continue to target and which ones you should exclude.
2. Keywords & Ad Text
Searches on Internet-capable mobile devices average around 2.9 words (and only 2.4 on WAP phones). When expanding desktop search campaigns to mobile and/or adding new keywords to your mobile campaigns, keep in mind how people search on their phones. While desktop campaigns may benefit from "long tail", 4- to 5- word keyword phrases, you may want to consider shorter, more general, and location specific searches for mobile phones.
For example, a college student in Boston may search for "Pizza near Union Square in Boston" from their dorm room, but would only search "Boston Pizza" from their mobile phones.
3. Take advantage of what's mobile
In the past few months we've launched several mobile specific ad formats like click-to-download, click-to-call, and mobile coupons in the Local Business Center. Think about what unique advantages and messaging a mobile campaign allows and reach your customers at every point of their day.
In addition, check back next week for the next installment of 'Going Mobile in 2010.'
Posted by Stevie Degroff, Agency Team