After talking about a few Google Ad Manager features and optimization tips on this blog in the past, we've received questions from new publishers, asking what Ad Manager is and whether they should use it. In this two-part series, we'll go back to the basics to provide you with an introduction to Ad Manager.

What is Google Ad Manager?

Google Ad Manager is a hosted ad management solution for publishers with smaller direct sales teams; it can help you sell, schedule, deliver, and measure all of your directly sold and network-based inventory.

Should I use Ad Manager?

You'll probably want to use Ad Manager if:

• You operate a website and sell your ad inventory directly to advertisers (or plan to sell directly to advertisers in the future).
  
• You'd like to improve the efficiency of your sales process and feel confident in your forecasting.
  
• You've been left with unsold inventory because you weren't able to forecast availability accurately.
  
• You need a consistent way to serve ads that make you the most money in undersold situations.
  

What are the benefits of using Ad Manager?

• A simple, intuitive user interface: you can manage your campaigns, inventory, and advertiser data quickly and efficiently.
  
• Revenue optimization and AdSense integration: the system will consistently deliver the highest-paying ad for every ad impression on your site.
  
• Precise inventory forecasting: you'll be able to sell more of your inventory without overbooking it.
  

How will I benefit from using AdSense with Ad Manager?

Using AdSense with Ad Manager on your websites can help you maximize your revenue in a number of ways. You can use AdSense to backfill all of your unsold inventory, ensuring that all of your ad spaces are filled. AdSense can also be used as a competing network against your other networks -- AdSense can compete with your remnant and house campaigns to deliver the highest value ads, and an AdSense ad will only show if it can pay you more than any alternative ads.

Moreover, since AdSense is integrated in your Ad Manager account, the only thing you need to do is to choose the Ad Slots for which you want to enable AdSense. You can modify your AdSense settings within Ad Manager, and you can manage your visibility to advertisers by using the placement targeting feature.

How do I get started with Ad Manager?

You can create an account by visiting the Ad Manager homepage and using your AdSense login. Once you've done so, don't forget to visit our Help Center for detailed instructions and video tutorials on getting started. We also recommend taking a look at how Ad Manager works.

In Part 2 of this series, we'll help you get accustomed to your new Ad Manager account and guide you through the creation of your first campaign. We're also hosting a Getting Started with Google Ad Manager Webinar on April 21st at 11:00 am PDT, where we'll give a live demo of Ad Manager, share best practices, and help you get started. Sign up at: https://googleonline.webex.com/googleonline/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=570486361.

Read Part 2

Posted by Florie Arlegui - Google Ad Manager Team