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Google Changes Display URLs for AdWords Ads

Says Move to Standardized Look Can Improve Clickthrough Rates

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There are 20 Comments. Add Yours.
  1. I think this is a good move by Google. I always thought it was strange to see capital letters in the ads URLs since real URLs are always lowercase. Now they will look more legitimate.

  2. I disagree that it is a good move. I think capitalization improves readability. That was one of the reasons that CTR for capitalized domains in display URL was higher. Obviously, only testing can make or break the case. I am sure marketers will share their observations soon enough. It is somewhat surprising for me, that out of all possible changes, domain de-capitalization was the top priority.

    • Chris Crum

      I agree that capitalization can improve readability.

  3. I agree with Lyena Solomon in that display URLs should include capitalization for better readability. It doesn’t make sense that going back to all lowercase would yield improvements in CTR, but then again, who’s to argue with Google? I would think the ad title and call to action would be the main factors in affecting CTR statistics, no so much the display URLs. However, I believe having Capitalization would only help, not negate, the CTR.

  4. Well, I think that Google really made a lot of tests before making this step and we shouldn’t be worried about.

    Even if we will have to wait a few weeks to gather some data and check out the real result of this move, I’m quite confident.

  5. I agree with the first commenter. By making the url lowercase allows the ad to be more natural and in my opinion, more acceptable. Like Lyena said though, as individual advertisers, we will need to test against the high case version. But Google must have done testing before maing this change, after all they are also in the make money business too.

    Steve

  6. Google is again imposing something without even consulting their customers. Being the leader, we are left with no choice with their decisions.

    To give the benefit of a doubt, I think they have a basis for doing so. So, let’s wait and see if it will deliver as stated.

    • Chris Crum

      Keep in mind, that advertising is Google’s ads are the company’s own bread and butter. It’s in their best interest to keep people clicking.

  7. Adsense Publisher

    I think they should let people use upper and lowercase.

    http://www.MyProductSite.com should not be displayed as http://www.myproductsite.com unless the advertiser meant for it to display that way. I think in my first example, http://www.MyProductSite.com reads better.

    Google should give people options if they think a different way might perform better than dictate how things will be in all areas of everything.

    • Adsense Publisher

      I do think that the full url should display tho.
      So I think they are spot on with that.

  8. Just wanted to thank you for this helpful information…
    Thanks :)

  9. I incorporated mixed case URLs in my ads years ago and saw a definite improvement in click through for the mixed case.

    Google has become like the government with the “We know what is best for you” attitude. How about simply advising advertisers about their research and let those that believe it make their own choice.

  10. Right from the start, my eyes always get attracted to domain url with all lowercases, I think that is a fantastic move by Google. Somehow, those domain URL with upper and lowercases look more Spam to me.

    Cheers!

  11. Thank you for the news, yes it may be a good idea as i mentioned in my subject, but for sure we have to wait a lot of time to see how effective this new idea will work.

  12. I think it’s wonderful news. Uppercase has been abused too much and to huge irritation for the users – that’s why I welcome the new lowercase.
    However, I see the points of a higher readiness of http://www.YourSite.com than http://www.yoursite.com.
    Maybe Google should test that there must not be two UPpercase letters in succession, avoiding http://www.YOURSITE.com.

    Next step is to eliminate the possibility of Uppercase on each word in the description. It Is Unnatural For Users And Is An Irritation.

  13. I agree – How dumb! It’s very hard to read a web address that is all together. I thought the Caps were a good thing. Wonder why they’re keeping caps on the Subdomain? Must be something that’s beneficial to them – again. . .

  14. Presumably Google will benefit. Presumably because click through rates for low caps are higher than for the rest. I wonder what else they’ve tested and rejected.

  15. In my opinion lowercase is a better choice for URLs . Regarding ROI, since all the ads are affected it won’t make a big difference.

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