Google Adwords Conversions (1-per-click vs many-per-click)


April 27, 2009

Google decided to spice up the metrics in Google Adwords.  In the old Google Adwords, it was basically as black and white as it can get.  Conversions = 6.  You can say “Okay, I had 6 conversions this month.” 

With the new Google interface, you now can track conversions in a new way, actually two ways, 1-per-click and many-per-click. 

Conversions (1-per-click)
Conversions (1-per-click) count a conversion for every AdWords ad click resulting in a conversion within 30 days. This means if more than one conversion happens following a single ad click, conversions after the first will not count. 

What does this mean?  Well it means that if a user clicks on one of your ads and within 30 days converts 4 conversions, the Conversions (1-per-click) will only track that as 1 conversion.  Hence, the term 1-per-click.

Conversions (many-per-click)
Conversions (many-per-click) count a conversion every time a conversion is made within 30 days following an AdWords ad click. Conversions (many-per-click) will count multiple conversions per click. These metrics are useful for measuring conversions that are valuable every time they happen (i.e. ecommerce transactions).

What does this mean?  After reading how the 1-per-click conversion tracking metrics works, it’s easy to understand the many-per-click.  Which actually track multiple conversions after a click (as long as it’s within the 30 days).  As Google stated, it’s very helpful for ecommerce transaction.  If a click cost you $4.24 but you ended up getting 6 conversions from it resulting in a total of $293.93 in sales, you did very well.

Google Accuracy
Now, I’m not known for doubting the mighty Google, but I’m not sure how accurate the conversions will be within the 30 day mark.  If anyone is aware of a study of how accurate the conversions are or perhaps how Google measures the conversions within 30 days (IP address, cookies, etc.), please comment or find me on twitter.

The source I used was this Google Adwords Help page.

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Comments:

Response to: Google Adwords Conversions (1-per-click vs many-per-click)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Rachel says:

Hey Jonathan, This new differentiation boy Google has led me to wonder how I'm to read my conversion numbers from Yahoo Search Marketing. Do you use Yahoo? Do you know which method they use? 1-per, many-per, other? Do you know if Yahoo also counts conversions up to 30 days following the click or not? Thank you, Rachel