Case study: Linode
Linode is a cloud computing and hosting company that offers a range of services, including virtual private servers (VPS), cloud computing instances, and dedicated servers. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Galloway, New Jersey. Linode is known for its high-performance hosting services, as well as its wide range of locations and flexible pricing plans.
The average monthly search volume for linode in the USA is 27,100 according to Google’s keyword planner. The estimated CPC for the top-of-the-page bids for the keyword linode ranges from €8,11 to €19.54.
That means Linode would need to pay monthly between €434,390 to €1,428,405 to show its ads on the top of Google’s search results, just for its brand name.
Usually, the CPC of branded terms tends to be lower. In this case, we see an extensive range between the estimated CPC which might be a strong indicator that more advertisers are bidding on it.
Let’s see what Gads.AI has found for Linode and what the company can do with the data.
Gads.AI brand monitoring report for Linode.
Keywords Average Search Volume
Keywords Estimated Advertising Cost
Desktop device findings.
Desktop Tracking
Monitoring period: 15/12/2022 – 18/12/2022
Total competitors: 13
Highest keyword activity: linode
Most visible competitors: vultr.com
Klook average ranking position: 1.02
Desktop Screenshot
Mobile device findings.
Mobile Tracking
Monitoring period: 15/12/2022 – 18/12/2022
Total competitors: 19
Highest keyword activity: linode promo code
Most visible competitors: vultr.com
Klook average ranking position: 1.07
Mobile Screenshot
Unauthorized trademark / brand bidding damages your brand. Here is how it affects you:
Increases your CPC
The more advertisers are bidding on the same branded keywords of yours, the higher the cost per click (CPC) gets. Cases have shown over 75% increase.
Lowers your Ad-rank
You get to compete with many advertisers who bid on your branded keywords, pushing further down your ads from the top position.
Decreases your CTR
The lower your ads appear on the top position, the lower your CTR will eventually going to be. But still, you will be paying more than you did before.
Loses revenue and traffic
Other advertisers will get your own branded traffic. As a result, you will progressively get less traffic and generate less revenue than before.
Branding / Trademark Infringements
Conclusion. Turn insights into actions:
Reduce advertising cost
The estimated advertising cost based on Google’s Keyword Planner data, for those 2 keywords is between €219,958 to €531,001.
You can reduce your CPC and advertising cost by reducing the number of advertisers who compete with you. To do so, consider the following options:
Search engines and partners
Submit a Trademark Infringement to Google against partners, affiliates or competitors who are using your brand name in their ads.
Terminate affiliations
You can kick-out of your affiliate program any affiliate who have been caught to continuously violate your terms and agreements.
Gentlemen Agreement
Setup a custom non-compete/bidding agreement between the different parties and monitor its enforcement over time.
Legal – CnD
The final resort, and most impactful measurement. Let your legal department take over the negotiations and/or legal actions.