We just recently ran into a problem when we began split testing landing pages using Adwords as part of our PPC testing.
Our landing page quality score started to drop to a score of “1”. As it happened we thought there was an issue with our landing page and the way we were split testing.
In addition we were using an I-frame on one of the pages and thought this was the issue since it incorporates hidden content.
Google does not like hidden content on a page.
As a result we started testing landing pages with no I-frame and no A/B split mechanism.
I even ran ads directly into the blog. The result was the same, the quality score dropped.
What it seems the problem was, (as we isolated variables) was affiliate links on the page which we were not cloaking.
Then yesterday I got an e-mail from Perry Marshall suggesting that Google was slapping landing pages with affiliate links.
Especially review style pages.
Is there a work around, yes there is. One is to build a list using an optin form with lots of good content on the page as opposed to linking out to an affiliate offer.
Create a thank you page with Google java script to see which keywords are converting and use those keywords on different PPC platforms such as Yahoo and MSN.
These keywords you can use for direct sales.
The fact is building a list is a good idea anyway because you build a customer base as opposed to trying to sell your visitors on the first visit.
I will keep you posted as we learn more.
Best Wishes
Paul