Ask Jeeves 'How Do I Get a Top Listing in your Directory'

By Merle
Posted Friday, July 16, 2004

Pay for listings with Ask Jeeves

Millions of people enjoy using 'Ask Jeeves,' by simply typing in a question and getting back relevant search results. With many of the search engines/directories turning to pay models, 'Ask Jeeves' now offers its own Text Sponsorship Program.

A text sponsorship ad consists of a title no longer than 40 characters and a description which can be up to 150 characters in length. Your 'text ad' appears to the right on the search results page every time someone does a search that includes one of the key phrases you've pre-selected. Only the top three bidders for each keyword/phrase is shown, so in order to be seen you need to be competitive.

Your text as will also appear on other search engines that are participating in the 'Ask Jeeves Network'. Partners include famous brands like Direct Hit, MSN, and a few others that are less known. Your ad on partner sites may vary in position depending on each engine/ directory and where they choose to display them.

In order to play you need to open an account (which will set you back 25.00 US dollars). Ask Jeeves uses a CPM payment model (which stands for cost per thousand). You only pay when your text ad is shown, unlike Goto.com where you pay per click. Ask Jeeves charges per impression with minimum bids of keywords/phrases being 5.00 per CPM so that translates into a 5.00 cost to you every time your ad is shown 1,000 times.

'Ask Jeeves' helps you choose your keywords and phrases with a handy suggestion wizard. This is a good tool for coming up with search terms you may have otherwise overlooked.

When setting your bid amounts, remember that you'll only be able to go with the minimum 5.00 per CPM if no other advertiser has already placed a bid on your keyword/phrase. If there are existing bids in the top three spots, you'll have to overbid one of them to get your text ad to be shown for that word or phrase. All high bidders' names and bid amounts are shown so you can plan your strategy accordingly. Bidding is placed in .50 increments. For example, if you wanted the search phrase 'air purifiers,' and the top 3 bids are 6.00, 7.00 and 8.00, you'd have to bid 6.50 to get the third position.

After setting up your account, you are given a user name and a password so you can log in and add or delete listings at will and change your bid amounts. You'll also be notified by email if someone overbids you and your listings are bumped,meaning you've been kicked out of the top three. If you want to keep your place you'll need to log in and up your bid accordingly. You'll also be notified if the money in your account is running low, so you can replenish as needed.

As more and more search engines and directories turn to a 'pay for listing' model, it's wise to take advantage of programs like Google and Ask Jeeves to make the most of your advertising dollar. At least you'll be paying for targeted exposure and a top listing (instead of just a listing).You'll also sleep better knowing your ad is being seen by those searching for your keywords/phrases and who are definitely interested in what you're selling... and that, my friend, is your marketing dollar well spent.

About the Author
Merle is an internet marketer, promotion consultant and ezine publisher. Visit her sites at (http://www.mcpromotions.com/), (http://www.merlesworld.com/) and (http//www.ezineadauction.com/).