Optimal Keyword Auctions for Optimal User Experiences
Jun Li, De Liu, and Shulin Liu (2013). Optimal keyword auctions for optimal user experiences. Decision Support Systems, 56(2013), 450–461
44 Pages Posted: 9 Dec 2010 Last revised: 19 Jun 2014
Date Written: July 20, 2013
Abstract
Poor user experiences with search advertisements can lead to ad avoidance thus reduce search engine’s long-term revenue. We capture the effect of negative user experiences on search engine’s future revenue in a new variable called “shadow costs” and examine the optimal keyword auction mechanisms (KAMs) in a general model that takes into account advertiser-specific and positionspecific shadow costs. We show that the optimal KAMs can be implemented in an ex-post equilibrium with a “progressive second price” payment rule. Furthermore, under a few special but practically relevant cases, the optimal KAM takes the form of relatively simple scoring auctions. We show that minimum bids in these scoring auctions may be advertiser- or position- specific and the allocation rule may or may not be greedy. Our results highlight impact of shadow costs on keyword auction designs and hold implications for search engines, advertisers, and Internet users.
Keywords: Internet advertising; keyword auction; mechanism design; user experience
JEL Classification: C70, D44, D82, M37
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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