YSM’s Blocked Sites Functionality, Is the Promised Fulfilled?


November 16, 2007

On Oct. 15 - we got an email from Yahoo Search Marketing

"Block Sites Where You Don’t Want Your Ads to Appear"

Our expectation was high as this could really give advertisers a chance to control where their ads are shown.

We looked at the system during the first week and noted it was not what we expect. So we waited a month to see if time has improved this system.

Review of Yahoo Search Marketing’s Block sites Functionality:Usabilty: Difficult
The user must know which urls the want to block. So you must know which sites send you YSM paid traffic. YSM noted this can be found if you have their analytics program set up.

Set Up Time: Under Five Minutes (If you know the URL’s to block)
However, if you don’t know which URL’s to block you could spend hours.

Time Value as ROI: A Must Do if you spend over $10,000 a month.
I would have accounts spending $5K reviewing their stats, but for smaller accounts the hours spend putting together and maintain this list may be better spend building your business, adding keywords, and improving ad tiles.

Overall Experience: Disappointed
This is a great idea and needs to be made more user friendly. I want to be able to use the service, but there must be a better way.

Suggestions for YSM Blocked Sites Application:
Provide a list of Top 25 Content Sites that spend your PPC dollars
Provide a Search box where I can submit a url and you will let me know if it is in the network.

Overall, I like the idea and the goal in mind I just need YSM to provide the tools that allow the everyone to benefit from a service like this.

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