Hi,

Is there a way to do a quick estimate of what the cost per click would be for a specific keyword/phrase on Google and/or Overture? I tried a couple of the links listed in the sticky note above, but the Google page didn't give cost estimates (just put a dash "-" in that column even though I selected for it to display CPC estimates . . . and the Overture link gives a "Can't Find Server" error.

Thanks for any suggestions!

As of today you can still use the Overture Bid Tool. It appears to have minimal resources so you may receive errors when using it and may have to retry frequently. This tool is likely to go away at any time as the information in it is no longer used in the new or original Yahoo! Search Marketing systems.

There are two programs I am aware of that give the highest bid at Google. I don't find that overly useful as sometimes an advertiser will set their bid really high to stay in first and the next bid could be a tiny fraction of that amount. I heard there is a tool that gives the top three bids at Google but was never able to track it down.

The first two tools I mentioned pull data from the Overture Bid Tool so with it being phased out the developers of those tools must find another free keyword research database or will have to start charging users a subscription to cover the cost of paid databases.

The estimated bid given when creating ad groups at Google does not appear to include broad matched competition so it is highly inaccurate.

The best way to find out what keywords will cost is to actually put them in your account and let them run for a limited time. Then you can decide whether to keep using them or not.

If the bids are far higher than you're willing to pay your ad will get few or no impressions or clicks so you don't have to spend advertising dollars to find that out.

Thank you! The link you provided here works and was helpful.

Thanks again!

Glad to be of service. Please do visit often and post any comments and questions you may have.

And don't miss the sticky threads at the top of this forum. You'll find that link and many others in the Important PPC Related Links thread and some really awesome information in another about Designing Web Sites for Higher Sales.