Brand name bidding

[Wonkey-Donkey]

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Can someone explain -
When a merchant says no brand name bidding are they talking about their company name or the brand of products that they sell.

I understand that I should not (nor would I) place a google ad with (for example) 118 golf as a key word. They are the merchant.

But what about a product sold by them. can I place an advert that uses "callaway Irons" as a key word that links to my site and then links to the merchant.

Last thing I want to do is annoy the merchant

Not sure if i made myself clear here, but hope you can help

[simontheak]

Brand bidding generally refers to bidding on the merchant's company name and associated brands.

So, for example if you were promoting Sony Televisions, I'm guessing you're not allowed to start bidding on keywords such as "Sony" or "Bravia" ... but you're more than welcome bid on "Digitial Television", "LCD TV" or any other similar generic phrase.

[Shane]

Yup generics should be fine however it depends on the individual merchant as to how they view you bidding on brands they promote, 99% are fine with it but some won't want you doing it so you choice is ask every merchant or do it until pulled for it, if it's not in any T&C's stating that pushing brand traffic is not allowed then you should be ok.

[kier]

As Shane said if the merchant doesn't want you bidding on specific product terms this should be in the T&Cs. However this doesn't mean it will be and that if it isn't you won't get in trouble if the merchant forgot to put it there. It's going to depend largely on the network you're using what you should do in each instance.

[fizzbird]

It's going to depend largely on the network you're using what you should do in each instance.

And whether they choose to use their good eye or their blind one?

[vhayward]

As a merchant with rules in force regarding brand name bidding, it's a tricky area. Affiliates understandably like to bid on brand names because as is obvious from anyone's stats, these terms are often very low cost in comparison to the fantastic conversion rates. Generics are always comparatively expensive as there is always a much higher level if competition for these terms, so clearly less attractive for an affiliate who only has the commission and not product margin to subsidise advertising.

We've changed our PPC policy a fair amount over the last 3 or 4 years, mainly to fit in with the fact that we do pay per click ourselves and don't want to be in direct competition with our affiliates.

Where we've ended up is allowing affiliates to do pay per click on our campaigns, now including brand name bidding, but affiliates mustn't use our display url, or our brand name in the advert text.

This is largely due to Google's 'licence to print money' legislation which means that anyone can bid on a brand name (unless it's trademarked), provided they don't use that brand name in the ad text, or display url. Our view is that if the open market can do this, why restrict our affiliates?

[Wonkey-Donkey]

Thanks for the help guys. i've looked again at the terms and it says no brand bidding on their company name.
I understand this......
then it says
Then it says
"Brand Generic terms Long tail product terms" are recommended key words (what are they)
except there are non compete keywords where they appear in the first page of any paid search engine.

Now to confuse me more

I can only find these terms on "Keyword Link"

I cant find terms on banners and product links

I know you guys must be getting fed up with me but i dont want to build a retail section with loads of products and then find it difficult to promote
Thanks in advance

[Hetton]

That makes sense, since if people bid on brand names, I could see potential problems.