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Every few years or so we cover Google Ads (former AdWords) representatives caught trying to poach or steal clients for advertising agencies and SEM agencies. Well, this time, as reported by Ginny Marvin on Search Engine Land, Google is doing so automatically and requiring the advertiser to opt out if they don't want Google to take over their campaign.
Here is the email that is being sent to advertisers, the screen capture is via Aaron Levy on Twitter:
Sure, the advertiser can click "opt out" but this is going directly to advertisers that may or may not be using an agency and who pays an agency a fee to manage their campaigns. Not only is Google offering to do it for free, not going is Google saying these changes may or may not help (no guarantees), but Google is requiring these advertisers to specifically click a button to opt out of it, otherwise, they will be opted in by default. So if they miss the email, or they mark it as spam, then guess what, Google will take over and it will cause some pretty big issues for the agency.
Ooooh and the disclaimer!! "We're not saying these changes will help. But they will be... changes." pic.twitter.com/yaq8ElBX0q
— aaron levy 🏒 (@bigalittlea) January 24, 2019
Google told Search Engine Land:
Our sales teams are always looking for ways to help customers get the best results from Google Ads. We are rolling out a pilot program that we believe will help businesses optimize their accounts. As always, we build customer feedback into the final product. Customers are in full control of the account and can accept or reject recommendations as they desire.
Again, we report on things similar to this, but opt in, not opt out, for years. Here are some of our reports from 2013, 2011 and 2005 but it happens way more often.
Forum discussion at Twitter & WebmasterWorld.
