Beyond Last-Click Attribution: Google Best Practices

Google has released their best practices for attribution. Check it out:

1. Determine how important going beyond last-click attribution is to your business

• Assess how important going beyond the last click is for you.

Why: If your paths to purchase are direct enough, the default last-click approach may be the right choice.

Read more about determining your approach to attribution.

2. Choose an attribution model that best fits your needs

• If you have enough conversions to qualify, consider using data-driven attribution (DDA).

Why: A data-driven model takes the guesswork out of what model works best for you, but requires a larger number of conversions to work.

• If you can’t use DDA, consider a rules-based attribution model.

Why: Your attribution model should align with your business strategy.

Read more about choosing the right model for your needs.

3. Act on attribution

• Bid to your chosen model.

Why: Your attribution model will give you a truer sense of the value of a keyword. That value should be used when setting bids.

• Test your new attribution model.

Why: Before you commit to your new attribution model, test whether it delivers a higher volume of profitable conversions.

• Change ads and landing pages to align with a customer’s place in the click path.

Why: If certain keywords tend to assist, rather than complete, conversions, your creatives and landing pages should take that insight into account.

• Re-examine early influence keywords based on your new attribution model.

Why: Many keywords provide value that last-click attribution doesn’t properly capture, including early influence keywords you may have paused in the past.

Read more about acting on attribution.

4. Evolve your approach to attribution as measurement gets better

• Apply lessons from AdWords Search Attribution to other marketing channels.

Why: What you learn about AdWords clicks, in conjunction with insights from other tools like Google Analytics and Attribution 360, can improve your approach elsewhere.

Read more about evolving your approach to attribution.

Source: Beyond Last-Click Attribution: Google Best Practices – AdWords Help