An Empirical Study on Statistical Optimization Model for the Portfolio Construction of Sponsored Search Advertising(SSA)

This research starts from the four basic concepts of incentive incompatibility, limited information, myopia and decision variable which are confronted when making decisions in keyword bidding. In order to make these concept concrete, four framework approaches are designed as follows; Strategic approach for the incentive incompatibility, Statistical approach for the limited information, Alternative optimization for myopia, and New model approach for decision variable. The purpose of this research is to propose the statistical optimization model in constructing the portfolio of Sponsored Search Advertising (SSA) in the Sponsor's perspective through empirical tests which can be used in portfolio decision making. Previous research up to date formulates the CTR estimation model using CPC, Rank, Impression, CVR, etc., individually or collectively as the independent variables. However, many of the variables are not controllable in keyword bidding. Only CPC and Rank can be used as decision variables in the bidding system. Classical SSA model is designed on the basic assumption that the CPC is the decision variable and CTR is the response variable. However, this classical model has so many huddles in the estimation of CTR. The main problem is the uncertainty between CPC and Rank. In keyword bid, CPC is continuously fluctuating even at the same Rank. This uncertainty usually raises questions about the credibility of CTR, along with the practical management problems. Sponsors make decisions in keyword bids under the limited information, and the strategic portfolio approach based on statistical models is necessary. In order to solve the problem in Classical SSA model, the New SSA model frame is designed on the basic assumption that Rank is the decision variable. Rank is proposed as the best decision variable in predicting the CTR in many papers. Further, most of the search engine platforms provide the options and algorithms to make it possible to bid with Rank. Sponsors can participate in the keyword bidding with Rank. Therefore, this paper tries to test the validity of this new SSA model and the applicability to construct the optimal portfolio in keyword bidding. Research process is as follows; In order to perform the optimization analysis in constructing the keyword portfolio under the New SSA model, this study proposes the criteria for categorizing the keywords, selects the representing keywords for each category, shows the non-linearity relationship, screens the scenarios for CTR and CPC estimation, selects the best fit model through Goodness-of-Fit (GOF) test, formulates the optimization models, confirms the Spillover effects, and suggests the modified optimization model reflecting Spillover and some strategic recommendations. Tests of Optimization models using these CTR/CPC estimation models are empirically performed with the objective functions of (1) maximizing CTR (CTR optimization model) and of (2) maximizing expected profit reflecting CVR (namely, CVR optimization model). Both of the CTR and CVR optimization test result show that the suggested SSA model confirms the significant improvements and this model is valid in constructing the keyword portfolio using the CTR/CPC estimation models suggested in this study. However, one critical problem is found in the CVR optimization model. Important keywords are excluded from the keyword portfolio due to the myopia of the immediate low profit at present. In order to solve this problem, Markov Chain analysis is carried out and the concept of Core Transit Keyword (CTK) and Expected Opportunity Profit (EOP) are introduced. The Revised CVR Optimization model is proposed and is tested and shows validity in constructing the portfolio. Strategic guidelines and insights are as follows; Brand keywords are usually dominant in almost every aspects of CTR, CVR, the expected profit, etc. Now, it is found that the Generic keywords are the CTK and have the spillover potentials which might increase consumers awareness and lead them to Brand keyword. That's why the Generic keyword should be focused in the keyword bidding. The contribution of the thesis is to propose the novel SSA model based on Rank as decision variable, to propose to manage the keyword portfolio by categories according to the characteristics of keywords, to propose the statistical modelling and managing based on the Rank in constructing the keyword portfolio, and to perform empirical tests and propose a new strategic guidelines to focus on the CTK and to propose the modified CVR optimization objective function reflecting the spillover effect in stead of the previous expected profit models.

키워드검색광고 포트폴리오 구성을 위한 통계적 최적화 모델에 대한 실증분석

본 논문은 키워드검색광고와 관련하여 의사결정자인 광고주의 입장에서 분석한 통계모델 기반 검색엔진최적화(Search Engine Optimization)논문이다. 일반적으로 키워드입찰은 노출순위를 대상으로 하는 입찰가액에 의해 이루어지고 있다. 그런데, 대부분 광고주는 수천 개 이상의 많은 키워드를 관리함에 있어, 매시간적으로 바뀌는 키워드별 입찰가액을 통해 입찰광고시스템을 관리하고 있는데, 사실상 시간과 인력자원측면에서 비효율적이다. 따라서, 본 논문에서는 기존의 입찰가액을 중심으로 하는 입찰시스템에 대해 의문점을 제기하고, 새로운 관점에서 노출순위를 의사결정변수로 하는 새로운 검색광고모델을 재정의하여 제시하였다. 새로운 검색광고모델에 대한 최적화실증분석을 위해 예측모델과 최적화모델을 제시하였다. 연구과정은 우선 키워드의 특성에 따라 키워드그룹을 원천 제조브랜드 유통브랜드의 범주화기준을 제시한 후, PC 와 모바일 매체별로 대표 키워드 선정한 후 노출순위와 클릭률이 비선형분포임을 보였고, 통계적 관계를 검토하였다. 클릭률예측 및 입찰가액예측을 위한 통계적 시나리오를 제시하였고, 적합성 분석을 통해 최적의 예측모델을 선정한 후, 선정된 예측모델을 기반으로 하여 클릭률과 기대이익(전환율)에 관한 최적화목적함수를 정의하고 실증분석을 진행하였다. 분석결과, 본 논문에서 제시한 검색광고모델은 클릭률 기반의 클릭수와 전환율 기반의 기대이익으로 표현되는 최적화모델 모두에서 개선효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 다만, 기대이익 최적화모델의 경우에는 핵심키워드임에도 불구하고 기대이익이 낮아 광고에서 배제되는 문제를 있음을 확인하고 대안을 제시했다. 마코브체인분석을 통해 핵심 경유키워드 개념을 도입하였고, 최적화목적함수에 대해 핵심경유키워드의 기회이익을 반영한 최적화수정모델을 제시하여 적용가능성을 확인하였다. 본 논문은 키워드입찰시스템의 의사결정변수를 노출순위의 관점으로 전환하는 새로운 모델을 제안하였고, 키워드 범주별 및 노출순위 기반의 통계적 예측을 제시하고, 포트폴리오 구성에서의 최적화실증분석을 통해 노출순위 기반 예측모델의 유효성을 확인함과 동시에, 키워드간의 확산효과를 포함하는 수정모델제시 등 전략적인 입찰을 제안한 점에 시사점이 있다.