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O ne critical operational decision facing online advertisers when they engage in sponsored search advertising is concerned with the allocation of a limited advertising budget. In particular, dealing with multi-keyword search markets over multiple decision periods poses significant decision-making challenges. In this paper, we develop a novel budget allocation optimization model with multiple search advertising markets and a finite time horizon. One key element of our modeling work is developing a customized advertising response function when considering distinctive features of sponsored search, including the quality score and the dynamic advertising effort. We derive a feasible solution to our budget model and study its properties. Computational experiments are conducted on real-world data to evaluate our budget model and perform parameter sensitivity analysis. Experimental results indicate that our budget allocation strategy significantly outperforms several baseline strategies. In addition, the identified properties derived from the solution process illuminate critical managerial insights for advertisers in sponsored search.

In sponsored search advertising, keywords serve as an essential bridge linking advertisers, search users and search engines. Advertisers have to deal with a series of keyword decisions throughout the entire lifecycle of search advertising campaigns. This paper proposes a multi-level and closed-form computational framework for keyword optimization (MKOF) to support various keyword decisions. Based on this framework, we develop corresponding optimization strategies for keyword targeting, keyword assignment and keyword grouping at different levels (e.g., market, campaign and adgroup). With two real-world datasets obtained from past search advertising campaigns, we conduct computational experiments to evaluate our keyword optimization framework and instantiated strategies. Experimental results show that our method can approach the optimal solution in a steady way, and it outperforms two baseline keyword strategies commonly used in practice. The proposed MKOF framework also provides a valid experimental environment to implement and assess various keyword strategies in sponsored search advertising.

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