Google Adwords: We want true demographics!

Listening to the WebmasterRadio.fm Affiliate Marketing podcast where they were talking about the changes in the "search space" [please don't use that term it's chuffing annoying] over the past year and the demise of "boutique search agencies" and the increased level of search analytics carried out by the bigger, lasting agencies; it got me thinking about the demographics that would actually be useful.

I know in recent years they've offered geo-targeting and day-parting but what would be really useful, considering now that millions must have Google accounts where they track they're search usage and that Hitwise can do it - surely in the near future they'll be able to offer advertisers the ability to demographically target their adverts.

But what would we want?

Yes I know that Hitwise has "black boxes" sat in ISP's server rooms, but we're talking Google here. In the US Hitwise allows you to view your traffic by the level of household income and in the UK you can cut and dice by "social grade". Wouldn't be great if you could say that you only want to target ABC1's, based in Harrow, or just change your ad copy dependant on what type of person is viewing it?

Hitwise also allows you to view the age of the user. So wouldn't it be great when advertising DVDs for example, you turn off your ad's to under 18's? Wouldn't it also be great if you could do that if you're promoting alcohol, adult pills and explicit sites?

Wouldn't also be great if you could submit a site to a Google utility and it brings back the demographic nature of the site and then you could select "show ad's to these type of people"?

If Google is really about offering us value for money with our PPC, they should take it to the logical conclusion and allow demographic filtering ...

... but is it feasible?

Podcast Review: The Web 2.0 Show

I must admit my first listen to "The Web 2.0 Show" was last week. There are so many podcasts that just sound so unprofessional (sorry Mr SEO) but this podcast was well-polished and informative.

I get bored with some SEO podcasts but am always fascinated with all the widgetry the web 2.0 has bought and this podcast is a great way to hear about other bits and bobs that can make your websites and business better.

The first site/service I was introduced via this podcast was Numly, it's a novel way to combat something that all seo'ers or affiliates will come across at some time or another - plagiarism. Be it imagery, code of content, you simply register it with them and you get a unique key that allows you to "prove" authorship. And I certainly know Kieron has.

So if you've got iTunes you can pick their podcast easily here.