I agree with Overture's bid hiding, Cory
The larger point - Overture's many self-serving rule changes are beginning to grate on loyalists' nerves - is well taken. An increasingly-creative Match Driver, monthly minimums, questionable affiliate traffic... where does it end. Still, irritation for me does not add up to complete exasperation. Overture has improved many aspects of their interface and reporting.
I'm not against the practice of hiding bid amounts to the general public. Google has done this from the beginning. Large visible bids are just an invitation to click fraud, and will tend to distract the customer, as well.
Overture competitors *can* see one another's bids if they simply enter the Overture interface and, as you say, type in the security code when they go to "see all bids." This makes it difficult to look at bids, but far from impossible.
In my view, this turns this ad medium into one that looks more dignified to the general public. On TV, you might hear "brought to you by" - but they don't literally tell you the amount paid for the 15-second spot for Pledge shown during "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Sorry to throw cold water on a good rant...
Posted by Andrew Goodman
| | Permalink
 |
 |
 |
The Traffick Search Engine Directory :: |
| » Internet Marketing » Internet Tools » Search Engines |
» Web Browsers » Web Portals » Webmaster Tools |
» About the Directory » Add URL » Traffick Report: Flock |
