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PPC Optimization: Age Range Targeting

Summary:

You can target specific age ranges in Google Adwords to optimize conversion rates. By tweaking the bids on high performing age ranges you can tilt your campaigns to those folks more likely to convert.

Last time we explored optimizing your PPC campaign with ZIP code targeting. Like the other demographic targeting options that Google provides, age and gender targeting can help improve your conversion rates to squeeze more leads out of your advertising spend. In this installment we look at how you can use age range targeting to optimize conversion rates.

Age Range Targeting

To target by age range in Google Adwords select Campaigns, and select the Audiences tab (see Figure 1).

Audiences Tab in Google Adwords

Figure 1: Audiences Tab in Google Adwords

Next select the Demographics button to the right of the +Targeting button, and select the Age tab next to the Gender tab (see Figure 2).

Demographics Targeting by Age

Figure 2: Demographics Targeting by Age

AdWords then lists the age range performance for each ad group. To get a better overview of how each age range performs overall, select the Account View tab (see Figure 3). The account view shows the overall performance of each age range in your entire account. In this case the age range from 35-44 years of age had the highest conversion rate of 5.3%.

Account View of Age Range Performance

Figure 3: Account View of Age Range Performance

Age Range Bid Adjustments

Now you can target specific age ranges for bid adjustments. In this case we bumped up the bids for 35-44 year olds, and after some discussion with the client the 45-54 year olds (see Figure 4). Note that we also dropped down the bids for 18-24 year olds, by client request.

Ad Group View of Age Range Performance

Figure 4: Ad Group View of Age Range Performance

Time will tell how well these tweaks will work. In our experience bumping up high performance locations and demographics has a more positive effect on conversion rates than reducing the bids on lower performing targets.

Conclusion

You can target specific age ranges in Google Adwords to optimize conversion rates. By tweaking the bids on high performing age ranges you can tilt your campaigns to those folks more likely to convert.

Further Reading

MyManhattanCosmeticDentist.com.com
This Manhattan New York cosmetic dentist volunteered his AdWords campaign as the subject of this article.
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