UPDATE: These products are now outdated, and I do not necessarily recommend them any longer. I am leaving this review here for informational purposes only. Additionally, I have removed some of the links from this article. To get the most up-to-date information and recommendations, please join my free newsletter.
Edition #128 – 06/09/2007
When Chris Carpenter released his much anticipated Google Cash Detective last week, it sold out in a matter of hours.
I personally bought a copy of it within the first half hour of the launch, and I was order #395 (assuming the orders were sequential).
I plan on using GCD to help cut down trial and error time in developing profitable new PPC campaigns.
Remember about six weeks ago, I wrote about the proliferation of “clones” and their tendency to coincide with guru’s product launches?
Well it’s happened again.
Although in this case, it wouldn’t quite be fair to call AdSpyPro a Google Cash Detective “clone”, because GCD itself was not the first of its kind.
Neither would I call GCD a clone, because I’m quite sure Chris Carpenter developed it in accordance with his own needs. But it came out more than a month after John Jonas’ Undercover Profits, which essentially does the same thing.
I decided not to invest in Undercover Profits mainly because of the $291/month price tag, and I knew something cheaper would soon follow.
Likewise, that’s a big part of the reason I DID buy Google Cash Detective. At a price of $497 (with no recurring payments, unless you also subscribe to the Google Cash Automator), it seemed a bargain.
But now, JP Schoeffel has released AdSpyPro at a “guru killer” price that puts the others to shame.
If you missed out on Undercover Profits and Google Cash Detective, or just couldn’t afford them, this is your chance to pick up an affordable alternative.
By the way, Undercover Profits is currently SOLD OUT of it’s 300 member limit. Likewise, Google Cash Detective is SOLD OUT of its initial 500 member limit.
So if you want to start “spying” on keywords to see which ones are the most likely to be profitable, I recommend picking up AdSpyPro at this low price.
In case you were wondering, I will NOT be asking for a refund of Google Cash Detective. For one thing, I think Chris Carpenter is one of the foremost experts in the PPC field, and I think he will provide more value in his program over the long term. So if you’re serious about PPC, you might want to pick up a copy of GCD if he releases any more memberships.
But if you don’t want to wait, and if you would rather spend less money for a similar program, grab AdSpyPro while it’s still available.
I also want to take just a moment to mention a couple of concerns that I have with all of these keyword “spy” programs.
First of all, they are not an all-inclusive system. While they will help you identify potentially profitable keywords, they can not tell you with 100% accuracy which keywords will convert for YOU.
Therefore it’s essential that you track your results, whether it be through the PPC program’s built-in tracker (only works if you are able to plant a piece of code on the destination site), through a rudimentary spreadsheet, or through a specially designed program such as Keyword X-ray or Xtreme Conversions (ironically the topic of my last “clone” edition).
Secondly, I halfway expect to see a day when Google decides to prevent these third-party scripts and software programs from being able to harvest the keyword and advertisement data.
In conclusion, I’d say if you are using PPC then you should grab AdSpyPro or one of its more expensive competitors, and exploit it while you can.
As always, you may leave your comments here on the blog.
Have a great day!
I bought GCD as well…. and then was presented with adspypro… I hate it.. I mean I really really hate it… BUT, the $67 program is just as good.. no, its better because its more user friendly.
I have a strict no refund policy because I too make my full income online and hate refunders… so I’m chalking this one up to a $500 learning experience.
ps – I already untinstalled gcd and put it in the trash bin.
pss.. Chris (of gcd) if you read this – I mean you no slight… its just a real and valid opinion.
Hi Eric,
Wow.. Talk about a price difference! Thanks for the heads up 🙂
A quick question for you… If I remember correctly, I believe Google Cash Detective was supposed to come with several videos showing the user exactly how to use the software to set up profitable campaigns. In other words, not just how to use the software, but how to apply it to make money. Do you know if AdSpyPro comes with such information (not necessarily in video, but in any form)?
I ask this because I know little about using Adwords, and don’t want to get the software but not know what to do with it.
Also.. How technical is the installation? If it’s complicated, could you recommend a third party I could hire to install it?
Eric,
I just submitted a question before noticing the line, “No Responses to ‘AdSpyPro Compared to Google Cash Detective’ ” So I guess I need to reword this post…
Do you know if AdSpyPro comes with any info showing the user exactly how to use the software to set up profitable campaigns? In other words, not just how to use the software, but how to apply it to make money?
I ask this because I know little about using Adwords, and don’t want to get the software but not know what to do with it.
Also.. How technical is the installation? If it’s complicated, could you recommend a third party I could hire to install it?
Hey Eric,
I too bought GCD, and have been struggling with it thus far (and the tech support has been worse than atrocious). Though there have been some disgruntled posts on Warrior Forum, I agree with you that Chris C. is both honorable and knowledgeable and he’ll get the kinks out, given time. It was his vision of end-to-end automation that sold me on GCD. I already own Competition Dominator, but its too much manual work to be of much use.
Besides, I think I just found a $50,000 a month campaign. Now I’m planning my strategy for world domination (insert maniacal laughter here). Or — maybe I should go whine about the software and demand a refund instead, what do you think? 😉
Good stuff, Eric. Thanks for ‘providing’ a cheaper alternative for the rest of us! I’ll definitely give it a go! Cheers!
Hi Eric,
I’m probably one of many who’ve purchased both XtremeConversions and AdSpyPro and I’m quite happy. Due to Xtreme Conversions, I’m averaging close to $3,000 in CPA earnings/month, which I never seen even 1/4 of this kind of money using Adsense Arbitrage. My only concern is that the creators of these programs must know that Google, Overture and MSN will be cracking down on these types of Ad harvesting programs very soon. Why else would they rlease it to the public? I say to make a quick $$$ from their loyal subscribers.
So I applaud JP for at least making it affordable for everyone to take advantage of this technology. He’s also built in the ability to use proxies to protect users from being blocked. Sure, Google may stop the whole thing dead in it’s tracks in the coming weeks, but at least I’ve had the chance to use it and make a profit on my investment.
Thanks again for keeping your readers informed.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your useful tips and for your honest reviews. Just one short question for you.
As you have made clear that programs like GCD and AdSpyPro can’t provide for sure your winning keywords and that a secondary tracking program like Xtreme Coversions is required for conversion tracking, my question is: Does Landing Page System can work for that purpose?
Thanks
Bishop- yeah, I’ve seen from some other people too who also think ASP interface is more user friendly that GCD. Hopefully Chris will develop his a little more…
Nate- the “No Responses” just means no comments were posted yet 😉 AdSpyPro does come with some videos, but I haven’t watched them yet so I can’t say much about them. The installation is not too difficult, but if you’re not comfortable installing scripts you could get it done by someone on Rentacoder (http://www.rentalcoders.com) for about $10 by my estimation.
Walter- Yeah I think Chris’ support team is just overwhelmed at the moment and he’ll get everyone taken care of. If you’re a Google Cash fan like me, I’d say keep it and make the most of it.
Nick- thanks for the comment!
Kenneth- great testimonial, thanks! And congrats on your success.
Freddy- Yes LPS should also work, it just doesn’t have a couple features of those others (like importing conversion data), but it should work. and as I’ve mentioned before, LPS also has a couple extra features that I haven’t yet seen in the other tracking programs (like inserting the keyword into the landing page).
Hi,
I know about Adspy software and bought it when it came out. Adspy comes with installation video and it is not for those who don’t know anything about sql.You have to set it up on linux host cPanel ,set up a cron job.He also gives you a pdf ebook about how to use software and little bit about adword but if you don’t know anything about adword you will need another source of information.It is not for beginners.
What you should do is to chose a words and then software works for about 2 days, collect informations for you.You will not know what kind of keywords they use like in the G.Detective but you get the best ad for your keyword and you will know if that word is profitable before you bid for it. GD is better software but if you don’t have any money adspy is the next good thing. I had little problems with installation because I had windows based host so I had to buy another one,linux with a cPanel. All and all…it works 🙂
Thank you for the Info !
Chris
Hey Eric!
Lorenzia E Shelby here. I’m working several affiliates programs on the internet, but, I am not having any success. Every program I am promoting seem like they have been worked to death, no one is buying them. Tell me what I am doing wrong or what can I do to increase my sales.
Lorenzia E Shelby
I also have purchased both GCD and AdSpyPro. Here are my comments:
AdSpyPro is very easy to use, the Help Desk is very responsive, the tutorial to get it installed is very easy to follow and I like it a lot.
As for GCD, for the price tag I believe you are getting more capablities with it and when they finally get all the bugs fixed it should be quite a product. But unfortunately, I think Chris and Steve brought it to market prematurely and it has a lot of problems and a lot of customers that bought an expensive product that just doesn’t work.. They say that once they satisfy the problems of the current customers they will be opening it up again for additional customers. But there will probably be spots opening up from a good number of the original 500 purchasers getting their money back because of all the problems it has and how easy and user friendly AdSpyPro is.
Eric,
I’d like to comment on your thoughts whether Google will shut down these kind of scripts one day which basically depends on whether they would care about them or not.
Scripts like AdSpyPro (I have purchased it already) can be used in two ways. Either you to find out which keywords convert and which not. That’s ok from my point of view.
Or you use it in a parasitic way – copy the hell out of campaigns such scripts reveal as profitable (i.e. not only use the same keywords but also the adcopy down to the letter), outbid the originator and try to take his ads place. This was specifically included in the GCD sales copy as the right way to use the program (of course it was not called parasitic) and I have a strong disagreement which such kind of marketing.
My guess is that if too many use the script in this manner there will be a lot of complaints on Google support lines from marketers who do not agree that they have done all the work with keyword research, copywriting, testing and refining their campaigns until they run profitable, only to find their work stolen by some copycats.
I have read a bio about Sergej Brin and Larry Page. My impression that they are very honest people who wouldn’t want to let such parasitism happen with their search engine may be true or not. But even if this would not be the case I think that they will know that they make their money from their honest advertisers and not from the copyists. And if in these honest advertisers a feeling of “why should I even try to invest all the money and work if to create a profitable campaign when I will lose my profits then because someone will copy my work?” will spread, Brin and Page will know that this will cut their profits, too. Therefore they will intervene (my opinion).
The Google slap has already proven that they are perfectly willing to dispense with short term profits in favour of a longer termed concept of constantly improving their service for their actual customers – the search engine users. Otherwise they wouldn’t have cared about landing page quality scores as long as the advertisers paid their fees.
So my guess is that Google will definitely take action against GCD or AdSpyPro sooner or later. But I wouldn’t call myself an expert in this topic. Therefore I would be interested in your opinion.
Klaus
I have keyword Elite. which also spy on the keyword & provide information about affilite for a particular product.
If any one who bought GCD or adspypro can tell me what is different than Key word elite.
I found after testing conversion is more important
Mohammed
Thank you for all the good info Eric. I also purchased GCD about one week ago but have not been able to use it yet because I cannot get it installed correctly. I keep getting error messages, and GCD Support does not respond to my support tickets. I have installed several scripts on my server before so I am not a complete newbie (although, by no -means am I a techie either) and I have tried the installation several times without any success. So, something else is going on that I can’t figure out. I’m dead in the water for a week now with no support.
I don’t like asking for refunds either, and I have been a pleased member in Mr. Carpenter’s organization for quite some time now, but I am sorry to say that if I don’t get some technical support in the next couple of days I will unfortunately be requesting a refund.
Eric,
Good day,Thanks for your wonderful tipr im receiving for the period under review. And it has help me alot.
Eric, this serves to inform you that ive woned USA2008 DV Lottery and my greatest problem for me now is who will provide lodging for me in the USA. If everthing goes right i will be going to Abidjan for visa interview aftr the rains. My case number is PA2008AF00016464
I would go with Google Cash Detective any day. Chris Carpenter has shown his worth – and “clones” are generally just that: cheaper, boilt-down and sad to say all too often watered down. I support Chris Carpenter for his quality any day. 🙂
Thanks for the info Eric. I am not in PPC for the moment, but it is good to know this.
Hallo Eric,
Have you tryed Keyword Elite? This is an outstanding low cost tool with all power in it as the other “copy” seems to take after but the cost is much higher.
This is an AMAZING software that performs secret reconnaissance missions right in front of your very eyes… and tells you if your top competitors are ranked high because of a specific optimization techniques used for the keyword you’re looking to wage war over!
This is what it does for you and much more:
Analyze Pay Per Click Listings
Create A Keyword List
Select A Keyword List
Analyze Keyword Competition
Spy on Adwords Competition
This software has made my business to bloom for the first time since I started and before this I made not many sales. Amazing…
cheers,
UH
Lorenzia- that’s a pretty broad question, and its hard to give specific advice without knowing more of the situation. But if the traffic you are sending is not buying, then probably the product is not selling very well, or else the traffic is not targeted enough. If the product simply doesn’t have a good enough conversion rate to make it worth your while, then you just need to keep digging to find more profitable products. On the other hand, if you are sending untargeted traffic, you can adjust that with different PPC ads, more specific or fewer keywords, and negative keywords (very important to use on Adwords).
Jonathan- thanks for your comments, as someone who as purchased both programs
Klaus- I would agree that this technology can be used in different ways. But anyway you look at it, it’s somewhat parasitic. It’s an interesting situation for Google though, because it’s not really being used “against” them. After all we’re doing the research so that we can SPEND money with google. But my hunch is in alignment with your guess– I think they will block these programs eventually because they would rather have full control over all the data and allow some of it to be used “in house” within the Adwords program, while hiding certain details.
Ulla- I have looked at Keyword Elite but haven’t used it. I see a couple of people have asked about it, so maybe someone who owns KE and one of these new programs can make a comparison. I was not aware that it could do what GCD or AdSpyPro does in terms of logging the actual ads and monitoring them over time, etc… Maybe someone else can shed some light.
Mike, Henrick and others- thanks for the comments about GCD
I’d like to think that as opposed to copying other peoples campaigns, that Adspypro will help me to identify niche keywords, that have few competitors, but it means that there’s room for little ol me to get in on the act.
The internet is a big place. I don’t want to be paying out hundreds of dollars to beat someone else, for a commission, I want to be successful using Adwords in my own right.
I am a fan of Chris Carpenter also, and I nearly bought into GCD on the launch date, but I got in on ASP at the onset, but I almost forgot (d’oh) that I had paid a fraction of the cost for a what will be a sound investment in the long run. It’s like JP said at the onset, it’s to help the little guys and gals afford something and not pay big bucks.
So, my hope is that ASP won’t help me to be a copycat of other peoples campaigns, but it will help me to become successful in my own right. I hope Google don’t put a slap on this program. They get so much money from us, and man do we need a break sometimes 😀
Brian
Henrik Blunck – Denmark Says:
I don’t think anyone is dissing Chris here, I think that for the price people know that they can get reasonable software for less. You save over $3,000 for UCP and over $400 with ASP. JP is a man who is known for producing quality products. In short his reputation is on the line as well, so you have to ask the question, if he has produced rubbish to get in on the act ?, and I’d dare say no he hasn’t. Just my two pennies :D.
Brian
Keyword Elite & SEO Elite both sucks!!!!!!!!!!! It does keyword research but not market research. After all, it’s the words & phrases that you audience use that matter, not the ones that have high KEI or whatever. All it does is cost you more money & waste more of your time.
GCD & UC both sucks! It’s just way overpriced for such low value, I can’t even be bothered with them.
AdSpyPro rocks! Great value for money.
Well, I went off of what you said and got the adspypro and low and behold, it does not work. I cannot get it to work when I login. Contacted them yesterday and still is not working. This is just great. Supposed to be easier to use. Not to me… Hopefully it will get fixed today or it is going back.
Thanks
Steve
Wow Eric, first you bash clones – then promote them! Way to go!!
Thanks Brother Eric once again for your continued HONEST opinions. They’re really helping a lot of us who for the time past have been on buying spree just by reading coaxing Sales Letters but thank God for your truthful opinions which have gone a long way to save someone like me lots of money.
A quick question here? Will the ASP help out if one is engaged with your GENUINE Writing Cash Program and if yes how? Please advise.
Continue to Stay Blessed in Him.
Love to you and your PRECIOUS Family.
Alexander O. Asante
Zoe_Agape Productions, LLC
Montgomery Village, MD
Steve- JP and his support team have been very responsive according to quite a few recent buyers. I’m guessing they are very busy at the moment because a LOT of my readers have grabbed the program. I’m sure they’ll help soon…
David- If you read my previous article, I wasn’t entirely bashing them…
Alexander- Yes ASP would be great to use with the Writing Cash Program, which is basically PPC for beginners.
Steve, Are you trying to install ASP on a Windows server? You need to install it in Linux or Unix servers. See Katarina above.
Hi Eric,
I want to let you know that I bought AdSpyPro through your link last June 9 for $67.
I also want to tell you that I just found out today that AdSpyPro has another sales letter/promo, where you can purchase the software for only $47 with 2 bonuses…Keyword Niche Power and Keyword Cash Generator.
I’m just curious…why the difference? $20 plus the 2 bonuses are quite a lot!
Can I return this and then purchase it through this other sales letter/promo?
Regards,
Larry
Well Eric,
Your review is excellent except for the patronizing “I won’t ask Chris Carpenter for a refund” nonsense. Be a man – ask for the refund – because Chris Carpenter’s product is not nearly as good as AdSpyPro – and it never will be.
~Robert
Hi,
I also bought GCD at 397 at about 1.30 and get number over 1700. I think that he probably sell more than 500 copies because if it is not the case how is it possible to have such a bad customer service. Handle 500 clients in 11 days is no big deal. I have not been able to make it word, and don’t receive not even one personal answer to my email. I always get automatic answer that don’t even adress my question. I think that someone who make 200 000 selling programs should have a decent phone and chat customer service. Looking to an answer to my questions if find adspypro and buy it for 67 $. For me, price is not even an issue as I already made very big $ with my interrnet, but it just piss me of the when I receive no answer to my emails and lose my time with stuff that does not work. Also, I think that it was not professional to recomand hostmonster which did not accept the GCD, but pay a 65 $ affiliate comission.
If it does not work in the next few days I will ask a refund
I leant today that responsibility for support is with either JP or the reseller.
Brian
Someone asked the question:
Also.. How technical is the installation? If it’s complicated, could you recommend a third party I could hire to install it?
Save your money because if you have half and idea you can install it. I did it myself. I have yet to experience any problems and my hosting is with Hostgator.
Brian
I Dont think Eric envisaged a ‘pissing contest’ excuse the slang !
Be aware…AdSpyPro is Great..BUT….useless alone. You MUST have a program like Xtreme Conversions to track the KEYWORDS that ARE profitable. (those uppercase are shouting…for ‘please take note-seriously ). XC is fantastic as you dont need a landing page…it CAN be used for DIRECT LINKING without code on the vendor 🙂
I use ASP for keyword competition…i can see the KW’s that are ‘most likely’ consistent for the aff. And who said use it for AFF. clickbank digital stuff?????
The ads showing for normal products are great…they show you what products people are WANTING and what’s a trend in that niche. In other words please use the program in a more powerful way.
Monitor say…..ipod nano covers..collect some keywords,put em through ASP and look at the type of PRODUCTS companies…not affiliates, are advertising. You’ll get a nice supply of possible products that are worth finding an ‘affiliate program’ for and create a NEW ad without having to ‘copy the best’.
Interesting, Rob, but I’m confused. I’ve read the sales bumf for both ASP and XC and I can’t work out the difference between the two. XC seems to promise to do what ASP does and more. Is it just the conversion tracking that ASP is missing that is the difference between the two or does ASP offer a genuine advantage to XC in some other area?
Carlos mentioned there was a software program that will automatically go out and show you your top competitors banner ads/controls. Does anyone know what program that might be? Yanik asked him on a teleconference and the name of the program or site was not given.
Thanks in advance for any help you might give.
Chris
I want to give an update on my purchase of GCD 2nd edition. I had read this blog so was hesitant to buy GCD because of bugs, but I did buy it when it came out last week because I figured they must had worked the bugs out…..that is when the nightmare began!
The hosted version does not work properly (many features just don’t work!), the program is slow, and the support desk is a joke. I was a big fan of Chris before this but am so disappointed that he would put out a product that had not been tested for $500 then expect everyone to be patient while they work the bugs out. I requested a refund three times and have not been refunded yet. I hope I do not have a problem with getting it and will update when I do or don’t!
Anyway, I would not reccommened this program to anyone. period.
I too purchased GCD 2nd edition and although it seems that most of the bugs have been worked out (from what I have read about 1st edition), there are features that don’t work and I would agree that it is slow. I also haven’t had any succes in making $1 of profit using the methods described.
When buying GCD I was unaware that the price had to be paid yearly! After reading all the comments I am seriously considering getting a refund and buying the much cheaper ASP….at least I’ll pay less to lose money. How do you go about getting a refund? (I deleted the landing page when buying the program).
Eric,
GREAT REVIEW!
I got adspypro and have a quick question. When it runs, it only checks a few keywords. I have 191 keywords and only 3-4 of them actually update regularly.
Any suggestions on this?
Thanks,
James
Refund GCD
I have not got a refund yet. I will let you know when I do. You need to contact support and ask for Frank-http://www.gcdetective.com/help_desk/
I have email from him promising a refund and he seems to want to help. Unfortunately, he does not issue refunds but sends them to some sort of admin. that never seems to get back to buyers-I have talked to others who are having the same refund problems and I hope that GCD and Chris Carpenter are on the up and up on this.
Hi,
Does anyone know any tracking software that does not require code on the product owners website?
I want to track conversion to the keyword level from PPC and cloak all the keywords the way google’s gclid parameter does.
Thanks,
Mike
Is anyone still using these products and if so wha fo they think of them now.
people are definitely still using them… AdSpyPro is on sale right now for big discount.
you would need to find an affiliate program that offers built in tracking. Clickbank has this, as do many vendors on CJ, and most CPA networks.
I just purchased the new GCD2 on lauch, about 5:30pmEST, although as of right now 1:46am EST
I have been unable to login successfully.
I’m a patient guy so I’m not upset a bit.
What concerns me now is these older posts about GCD(original) and competing products from a couple of years ago and the possibility of Google shutting these processed down.
I’d sure be pretty angry if after investing $2000 in 6 months the program was unusable.
I think there would be a lot of people on their way to Puerto Wherever Chris is living 😉
Anyway, just wanted to add something here and would love to know Eric if you’re gotten a chance to use the newest GCD 2.
Again thanks for you Great Lessons and continued support. I can only hope to emulate your fine work and one day create the following you have.
Your Friend,
Norberto Marcel Maldonado(velvetpunch)