I had my site set to search + content targetting but the ad was only running on search. I was getting a pretty decent ~1% ctr on broad terms, a lot higher on tighter terms. I got reviewed and it started actually running on the content network and the I dropped down to basically a 0% ctr (1500 impressions, 1 click) overnight. Does anyone actually have success with the content targetting stuff? Any tips on it?

Generally you'll get a much lower clickthru rate from content sites. That's not necessarily a big deal, since of course you only pay when you do get a click. To really figure out whether it's worthwhile, you should track conversions separately for those sites -- it could be that even though you're getting a lower CTR the ads are actually paying off better.

Also, Google is implementing a new system where you'll pay a lower rate per click for ads at sites that aren't as effective -- so that also is worth tracking.

getting lower click through rate can be a big deal because they can slow your keywords and even delete them if they decide to.

Yeah the drop in CTR made my primary keyword at risk :-/ Or at least that is what I think happened.

Originally posted by iblive
getting lower click through rate can be a big deal because they can slow your keywords and even delete them if they decide to. Only on search sites. A low clickthru rate on context ads does not affect rankings or delivery.

Originally posted by JayC
Only on search sites. A low clickthru rate on context ads does not affect rankings or delivery.

Quite correct :)

I've disabled the content targetting ads though as I don't think they were working for me.

HTH