What is Google Pay-per-action?

In Case you didn't know, Google is in a Beta phase for a new PPC program they are calling Pay-per-action. In my opinion, this program (if implemented with the ppc advertisers in mind) could help advertisers with smaller advertising budgets to maximize their ppc advertising plans.


The idea is that you won't have to pay simply for clicks like in the current and traditional Google Adwords program, but only pay based on a certain action that a visitor took while researching the product or service that you have ad placements for on Google Adwords.


"Pay-per-action ads complement your current campaigns by providing a new pricing model that extends your reach and allows you to pay only when a defined action is completed on your site."


So what the expected result could be for many enrolled advertisers in Google Adwords , is another way to enhance your PPC campaign, but for many also a way to budget their PPC campaigns by only paying when someone completes an actual sale on your website or blog for instance.


Here's how Google is presenting it.


1. You create ads, define actions & track conversions.


Learn More: http://adwords.Google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=61449#campaign


2. Publishers display your ads.

Learn More http://adwords.Google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=61449


3. You pay only for completed actions.

Learn More: http://adwords.Google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=61449


Types of actions so far can include:

1. Leads

2. Sign-ups

3. Site Interactions/Page Views

4. Sales (Always the same Value)

5. Sales (As % of sale with many different values)

6. Other


You can also sign up for the Pay-per-action Beta Test to be considered for beta testing if you are located in the United States at this link:

http://services.Google.com/ads_inquiry/payperaction


Like many of you, I will be waiting to see how this program develops and performs for the smaller PPC budget considering I have paid in the realm of $1.80 for a single click using Google Adwords when I'd be more willing to pay that for a sale and limit the cost of clicks on my ad to more reasonable rate-per-click.


Thanks for reading.


Ben Cortese