[jtbarrett]

Maybe I'm missing the point here, but it sounds like he's suggesting using AdWords to do some quick A|B tests to solidify a position and confirm assumptions. Sure, the low-QS page will perform poorly in absolute terms, and it will be difficult to extract meaningful raw information; but it could still be helpful to compare the relative performance of a few nearly identical ads that point to the same content.

[patio11]

The problem with low-QS is not just that it will perform poorly in absolute terms. In addition to various monkeying with your positioning they will do, which will distort the heck out of your assumptions you're confirming, each click will cost a punitive amount of money. My highest QS ads go for 3 to 4 cents a click. Your low QS ads, for the same keyword, will cost $1, $5, or $10. (And the sky is the limit on that if you are in a niche more money-rich than educational bingo cards. Basically, it is priced to punish based on whatever the prevailing CPC is in your niche -- if it normally cost $8.20~9.80, it now costs $100 even, etc.)

[dhimes]

Distorted the assumptions is bad, but paying a buck a click for market research is not, especially if it saves you $1000s in dev costs.

(I still don't think I'd feel right doing it, though).

OT: How long does it take for your Google ad to start getting impressions when you submit it? Mine are embargoed for several days, and I cannot figure out why (nor will they tell me).