Why Did My Google AdWords Destination URL Stop Working

A WebmasterWorld member says that somehow his Google AdWords destination URLs are changing, despite the fact that he is only appending tracking information to the URL. Instead, it's using the ad URL but not the keyword destination URL. It only seems to occur with one keyword, though. Why?

Forum members are not absolutely sure, but some suspect that it may have something to do with other keywords in the same ad group that are broader. Google is trying to determine which ad is relevant and may be pulling another one. However, that doesn't fit this specific scenario because the advertiser is using exact match and appends pertinent information to the ad URL to see what the source is.

After experimenting with his Google AdWords account, he discovered a workaround, which he shares below:

1. Your keyword destination URLs need to contain {creative} and {keyword}
2. Your keywords have to be exact match
3. Your system has to know creative id, relations between creatives and keywords (adgroups), real keyword click urls
4. Match the click to a adgroup using creative id
5. Search for the keyword you got from {keyword} in this adgroup
6. Get the keyword destination URL Google didn't use

In his experience, this is the solution that works.

Forum discussion continues at WebmasterWorld.