Latest news with #SmartBidding
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Suburban Chicago small business owner takes on Google over ad practices
In what amounts to a David-and-Goliath situation, a suburban small business owner is taking on Google over a beef you've likely seen in some form in the headlines. He says Google's grip on advertising is costing him millions, and the U.S. government shares his same frustrations. Bridgeview, Illinois-based Royal Home Flooring posts spiffy videos of its jobs — which sometimes spur a sale. Word-of-mouth referrals do the trick too. But owner Salah Abukhaled opened up his books to show us most of his customers come through Google. "I knew if I want to go ahead and succeed in this business, I have to be on the web," Abukhaled said. To try to be the king of flooring, Abukhaled has given the titan of tech millions of dollars for ads over the past nine years. He pays Google to tie certain keywords like "flooring," as well as users' locations, to his business. Between April and August 2023, Royal Home Flooring paid Google Ads $257 per click — totaling $693,000. His bill jumped to $958,000 — almost $1 million — during the same five-month stretch the next year. During that time, if a person's Google search led them to Royal Home Flooring, the entrepreneur was apparently charged $673 for each click. "Why am I paying this much?" Abukhaled said. Abukhaled acknowledged he was told his Google bills might be higher after switching to something called Smart Bidding, a different Google Ads marketing strategy that touts it allows users to maximize conversions, or sales. What is not clear when it comes to Smart Bidding is pricing. We could not find any basic details about cost on any of the Smart Bidding help pages from Google either. "It's crazy. I swear. I mean, we struggle enough as business owners. The cost of the materials is going up. The labor is going up too, as well," Abukhaled said, "and when your advertising cost is going to go up, who's going to eat it at the end of the day? It's the end consumer." Customer support chats to understand Abukhaled's skyrocketing monthly bills went nowhere. "They put you in this infinite, like, loop," he said. Abukhaled filed a credit card dispute against the Google Ads charges. "Without question, they just suspended my account immediately," he said. Even after all that, however, Abukhaled is still using Google — because, he says, there is no other place for him to advertise. "When you think about it. Google, they own about 95% of the search market," he said. Abukhaled feels stuck paying whatever Google wants him to pay. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed not one, but two lawsuits against Google, alleging the company is a monopoly that needs to be broken up. The government won both cases — most recently in April. A demand letter form Abukhaled can now be added to the tech giant's legal troubles. Royal Home Flooring wants an arbitrator to step in and address what it calls "a breach of good faith and fair dealing, and potentially deceptive conduct." Abukhaled said when he tells family and friends he is going after Google, "I think they take it as a joke, honestly." But he is not laughing. Quite seriously, the small business owner said he is ready for a big lift to make a big wave. He said he is confident that he is not alone. Google's press team said it could not comment because of the ongoing legal dispute. Google also would not answer CBS News Chicago's general questions about ad pricing — we were pointed to written statements the company made a month ago after accusations that it works as a monopoly. Google denies those allegations.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SFB Digital Marketing Unveils Key Trends Shaping Google Advertising in 2025
Netanya, Israel--(Newsfile Corp. - March 3, 2025) - SFB Digital Marketing, a leading agency specializing in data-driven advertising solutions, has highlighted key developments in Google Ads for 2025. With artificial intelligence-driven automation, evolving audience targeting methods, and innovative ad formats, businesses must adapt to maintain a competitive edge in digital marketing. SFB Digital Marketing Unveils Key Trends Shaping Google Advertising in 2025 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Industry experts emphasize that AI-driven advertising tools such as Smart Bidding and Performance Max are transforming campaign management. These advanced technologies analyze data in real-time, optimizing ad placements and bidding strategies without requiring manual intervention. The integration of AI enhances efficiency while allowing for more precise audience targeting. As third-party cookies phase out, advertisers increasingly rely on first-party data, predictive audience modeling, and contextual advertising to reach potential customers effectively. Businesses are adopting customer match and remarketing lists to refine their targeting efforts and ensure their messages reach the most relevant audiences. With improved segmentation, companies can personalize campaigns and deliver better user experiences. Video advertising continues to dominate the digital landscape, with platforms like YouTube Shorts and Discover Ads playing a significant role in brand engagement. Short, mobile-friendly videos that incorporate interactive elements are proving to be highly effective in capturing audience attention. Additionally, shoppable video ads are gaining traction, allowing users to make purchases directly from advertisements, further integrating commerce into digital media. Advertisers prioritize performance tracking and data transparency. In response to the growing demand for real-time analytics, businesses are increasingly utilizing live dashboards to monitor key campaign metrics, identify trends, and adjust strategies accordingly. Enhanced conversion tracking and attribution models provide deeper insights into customer journeys, helping advertisers allocate budgets more efficiently. Google Shopping Ads are also evolving, with AI-driven product recommendations and visual search integrations becoming more sophisticated. As consumers expect seamless online shopping experiences, businesses are optimizing their product listings and ad formats to enhance visibility and improve conversion rates. Privacy-first advertising is reshaping digital marketing strategies as Google advances its Privacy Sandbox initiatives. The transition to the Topics API and consent-based marketing solutions is prompting businesses to explore new methods for audience engagement. Companies focusing on engagement-driven advertising, rather than traditional retargeting, are expected to achieve greater long-term success in reaching their customers. Industry analysts predict that businesses adapting to these advancements will gain a competitive advantage in digital advertising. By leveraging AI-powered automation, prioritizing first-party data, and embracing emerging ad formats, companies can optimize performance and maintain a strong online presence. SFB Digital Marketing continues to support businesses navigating the evolving landscape of Google Ads, providing expert-driven solutions tailored to the latest industry trends. Contact Info:Name: Shay CohenEmail: info@ SFB Digital Marketing LtdWebsite: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
