3 replies to this topic

[chrisitna]

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum. I came on a recommendation from my boss. I've been tasked with setting up a new Google adword campaign, but I'm not familiar with the new version of adwords. (the last campaign I set up was in 2006)

My question is specifically about split testing an ad group. I remember a function that allowed me to serve up two different versions of the same add and choose the percentage of times the versions were shown.

Example: Version A was served up 50% of the time and Version B was set up 50% of the time and I could track the clickthrough rates. I can't find a way to do this now. I hope they didn't get rid of this functionality. I've searched for tutorials and videos and everything, but I'm not having any luck.

Can someone tell me whether split testing is still possible? Thanks!

[Randy]

Welcome !

I think what you're looking for are the Rotation settings. Those are now under the Campaign Settings tab, then in the Advanced section. And if memory serves the Advanced section is down the page a bit now that the new interface is out. I didn't look just now, but I think those selections are now at the very bottom of the Campaign Settings area.

[chrisitna]

Thanks Randy,

I appreciate the feedback. It seems then that Google has done away with the a/b testing functionality it used to have where you could decide the percentage of time one version was served up vs. another.

Am I correct in assuming that the best way to go about A/B testing at this point is to just create two ads using the same keywords?

Thanks in advance, and sorry to be asking such fourth grade questions. I'm really good at organic SEO , but not so great at PPC.

[Randy]

I've honestly never used the PPC Split Testing thing in Adwords. There are too many issues with getting reasonably correct test results with the way it worked. We can get into the whys and wherefores of my opinion if you'd like, but it's off topic of your original question.

That said I don't remember the Adwords control panel ever letting you assign a specific percentage as easily as inputting a number. It may well have though, cuz as I said I've chosen not to use it for other reasons.

The way I've always seen what amounts to CTR split testing done is to create multiple versions of the same ad to get the percentage of impressions you wanted. For example, if you wanted your original or Control to get 75% of the exposure and your Test ad to get 25% I'd simply copy the original so that you have it three times into your Ad Group, then put your test version in a single time. So even if it's technically a different version of your Control that shows the same visual ad displays 75% of the time.

I assume you could still do it this way if you choose a Rotation instead of the default settings.