"AdWords" Platform (Newly Launched in October 2000):
Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 4:38 am
Text-Based Ads Only: Unlike today's rich media, video, or display ads, AdWords in 2000 was exclusively about text ads. These were short, concise lines of text that appeared alongside search results.
Keyword-Based Auction System: This was the revolutionary part. Advertisers would bid on specific keywords relevant to their products or services. When a user searched for those keywords on Google, the ads of the highest bidders (or those with the most relevant ads, which became more important in 2002) would appear.
Pay-Per-Impression (Early Model): Initially, AdWords operated on a pay-per-impression (CPM - Cost Per Mille, or cost per thousand impressions) model. Advertisers paid a set amount every time their ad was shown 1,000 times, regardless of whether it was clicked. (Google shifted to a largely Pay-Per-Click model in 2002, which greatly enhanced its lead generation power).
Self-Serve (Revolutionary for its time): While Google initially managed campaigns, canada phone number list by late 2000, they introduced a self-service platform, allowing small businesses to create and manage their own campaigns.
2. The Lead Generation Process via Google Ads in Late 2000:
User Search: A user types a query into Google (e.g., "new car dealership NJ," "web design services," "plumber emergency").
Ad Impression: If the advertiser had bid on keywords matching the user's query, their text ad would appear, typically on the right-hand side or above the organic search results.
Click-Through: The user, intrigued by the ad, would click on it.
Website Visit: The click would take the user directly to the advertiser's website.
Manual Inquiry (The Lead): This was the critical step for lead generation. The user would then need to:
Fill out a "Contact Us" Form: Websites in 2000 typically had very basic forms for inquiries, often just asking for name, email, phone, and a message.
Call a Phone Number: Websites prominently displayed phone numbers, as direct phone calls were a primary conversion method.
Send a Direct Email: An email address would be listed, and users might send a direct email.
Walk-In (for local businesses): If the website provided a physical address, a user might decide to visit the brick-and-mortar location.
3. Limitations and Differences from Today's Google Ads for Lead Generation:
No Conversion Tracking: There was no sophisticated conversion tracking (like tracking form submissions or calls as specific conversions) directly within AdWords in 2000. You'd track these manually or via basic website hit counters.
Rudimentary Targeting: Targeting was almost exclusively keyword-based. Demographic, behavioral, remarketing, and advanced audience targeting were non-existent. Location targeting was very basic.
Keyword-Based Auction System: This was the revolutionary part. Advertisers would bid on specific keywords relevant to their products or services. When a user searched for those keywords on Google, the ads of the highest bidders (or those with the most relevant ads, which became more important in 2002) would appear.
Pay-Per-Impression (Early Model): Initially, AdWords operated on a pay-per-impression (CPM - Cost Per Mille, or cost per thousand impressions) model. Advertisers paid a set amount every time their ad was shown 1,000 times, regardless of whether it was clicked. (Google shifted to a largely Pay-Per-Click model in 2002, which greatly enhanced its lead generation power).
Self-Serve (Revolutionary for its time): While Google initially managed campaigns, canada phone number list by late 2000, they introduced a self-service platform, allowing small businesses to create and manage their own campaigns.
2. The Lead Generation Process via Google Ads in Late 2000:
User Search: A user types a query into Google (e.g., "new car dealership NJ," "web design services," "plumber emergency").
Ad Impression: If the advertiser had bid on keywords matching the user's query, their text ad would appear, typically on the right-hand side or above the organic search results.
Click-Through: The user, intrigued by the ad, would click on it.
Website Visit: The click would take the user directly to the advertiser's website.
Manual Inquiry (The Lead): This was the critical step for lead generation. The user would then need to:
Fill out a "Contact Us" Form: Websites in 2000 typically had very basic forms for inquiries, often just asking for name, email, phone, and a message.
Call a Phone Number: Websites prominently displayed phone numbers, as direct phone calls were a primary conversion method.
Send a Direct Email: An email address would be listed, and users might send a direct email.
Walk-In (for local businesses): If the website provided a physical address, a user might decide to visit the brick-and-mortar location.
3. Limitations and Differences from Today's Google Ads for Lead Generation:
No Conversion Tracking: There was no sophisticated conversion tracking (like tracking form submissions or calls as specific conversions) directly within AdWords in 2000. You'd track these manually or via basic website hit counters.
Rudimentary Targeting: Targeting was almost exclusively keyword-based. Demographic, behavioral, remarketing, and advanced audience targeting were non-existent. Location targeting was very basic.