Computer-implemented method and system for managing keyword bidding prices

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a keyword via a data network interface for processing by a processor of a computer system;

determining a revenue per click value associated with the keyword;

obtaining bidding information associated with the keyword;

obtaining automatic bid controls associated with the keyword, the automatic bid controls including a scaling factor for the revenue per click value;

applying the scaling factor to the revenue per click value to produce a scaled revenue per click value;

automatically generating a bid value for the keyword based on the scaled revenue per click value, the bidding information, and the automatic bid controls;

automatically determining an appropriate match type associated with the keyword based on keyword clicks, the match type being one of a plurality of match types offered by a keyword bidding service; and

submitting the bid value and the match type to a search engine via a data network communication.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further including submitting the bid value via an API.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidding information is obtained via an API.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidding information includes a last bid amount.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the automatic bid controls include a maximum cost per click value that can be automatically bid for the keyword.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the automatic bid controls include a gap position target value.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the automatic bid controls include a bid increment factor.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the automatic bid controls include a bid increment velocity factor.

9. An article of manufacture comprising at least one machine readable storage medium having one or more computer programs stored thereon and operable on one or more computing systems to:

determine a revenue per click value associated with a keyword;

obtain bidding information associated with the keyword;

obtain automatic bid controls associated with the keyword, the automatic bid controls including a scaling factor for the revenue per click value;

apply the scaling factor to the revenue per click value to produce a scaled revenue per click value;

automatically generate a bid value for the keyword based on the scaled revenue per click value, the bidding information, and the automatic bid controls;

automatically determine an appropriate match type associated with the keyword based on keyword clicks, the match type being one of a plurality of match types offered by a keyword bidding service; and

submit the bid value and the match type to a search engine via a network communication.

10. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 being further operable to submit the bid value via an API.

11. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 being further operable to obtain the bidding information via an API.

12. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bidding information includes a last bid amount.

13. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 wherein the automatic bid controls include a maximum cost per click value that can be automatically bid for the keyword.

14. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 wherein the automatic bid controls include a gap position target value.

15. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 wherein the automatic bid controls include a bid increment factor.

16. The article of manufacture as claimed in claim 9 wherein the automatic bid controls include a bid increment velocity factor.

17. A system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor to store information related to keywords; and

an automatic keyword bidding module, operably coupled with the processor and the memory, operable to determine a revenue per click value associated with a keyword, obtain bidding information associated with the keyword, obtain automatic bid controls associated with the keyword, the automatic bid controls including a scaling factor for the revenue per click value, apply the scaling factor to the revenue per click value to produce a scaled revenue per click value, automatically generate a bid value for the keyword based on the scaled revenue per click value, the bidding information, and the automatic bid controls, automatically determine an appropriate match type associated with the keyword based on keyword clicks, the match type being one of a plurality of match types offered by a keyword bidding service, and submit the bid value and the match type to a search engine via a network communication.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17 being further operable to submit the bid value via an API.

19. The system as claimed in claim 17 being further operable to obtain the bidding information via an API.