Google Search Ads – Basics

By Anish February 2, 2023 Others 0 Comments

What is a Google Search Ad?

Google Search Ad is a form of online advertising offered by Google that allows businesses to display their ads on the Google search results page when people search for relevant keywords. Advertisers bid on keywords and pay each time someone clicks on their ad. Google Search Ads are usually displayed at the top and bottom of the search results page and are labeled as “Sponsored”.

When was Google Search Ad launched?

Google Search Ad was launched in 2000. For more details on the Origin of Google Ads, refer to the article here.

Example of a Google Search Ad

An example of a Google Search Ad would be a sponsored ad that appears at the top or bottom of the search results when a user searches for a specific keyword related to the ad. The ad would typically include a headline, description, and a link to the advertiser’s website. For example, if a user searches for “running shoes,” they might see a Google Search Ad like this:

Headline: Running shoes for every stride Description: Shop the latest collection of running shoes. Free shipping on all orders. Link: www.runningshoes.com

This ad would appear above or below the organic search results for the query “running shoes.” The advertiser would be charged each time a user clicks on their ad and visits their website. The ad is designed to grab the user’s attention and encourage them to click through to learn more about the advertiser’s products or services.

What are the types of Google Search Ads?

There are two types of Google Search Ads:

Text Ads: These are simple text-based ads that display a short headline, two lines of descriptive text, and a display URL.
Shopping Ads: These are image-based ads that display products and pricing information. They are typically used by e-commerce websites to promote their products on Google search results pages.

Both types of ads can appear on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google’s network of partner sites. They are created and managed through the Google Ads platform.

How do Google Search Ads Work?

Google Search Ads work by allowing advertisers to place sponsored ads at the top or bottom of Google’s search results pages when people search for keywords related to the advertiser’s products or services. Advertisers create ad campaigns using the Google Ads platform and bid on keywords that they want their ads to appear for. When someone searches for one of the keywords, Google’s ad auction process determines which ads will be displayed and in what order.

Here’s how Google Search Ads work in detail:

Keyword selection: Advertisers choose keywords that are relevant to their products or services. When someone searches for one of the keywords, Google’s ad auction process determines which ads will be displayed.
Ad creation: Advertisers create ads using the Google Ads platform. Ads typically include a headline, description, and a link to the advertiser’s website.
Ad auction: When someone searches for a keyword, Google runs an ad auction to determine which ads will be displayed and in what order. Google evaluates several factors, including the advertiser’s bid, the relevance and quality of the ad, and the expected click-through rate (CTR) of the ad.
Ad display: The highest-ranked ad is displayed at the top of the search results, while the other ads are displayed in order of their Ad Rank. Ads are displayed along with the organic search results and are clearly labeled as “Sponsored” or “Ad.”
Cost per click: Advertisers are charged each time a user clicks on their ad and visits their website. The cost per click (CPC) depends on the advertiser’s bid and the competitiveness of the keyword.

Google Search Ads provide advertisers with a way to reach potential customers at the moment they are searching for related products or services. This can be an effective way for advertisers to drive traffic to their website and generate leads or sales.

What factors influence which ad to be displayed on top in Google Search Ads?

Several factors influence which ad is displayed on top in Google Search Ads:

Ad Rank: Ad Rank is determined by an advertiser’s maximum bid, the relevance of the ad, and the quality score of the ad and landing page. The higher the Ad Rank, the more likely the ad is to be displayed higher in the search results.
Relevance: Relevance refers to how well the ad matches the search query and the user’s intent. Ads that are more relevant are more likely to be displayed higher in the search results.
Quality Score: Quality Score is a measure of the overall relevance and quality of the ad, including factors such as the relevance of the ad text and landing page, the click-through rate, and the relevance of the keywords used. The higher the quality score, the lower the cost-per-click and the higher the ad will appear in the search results.
Maximum Bid: Maximum bid is the highest amount an advertiser is willing to pay for a click on their ad. The highest bidder does not necessarily win the auction; their ad will only be displayed if they have a high Ad Rank based on relevance and quality.

Note that Google constantly updates its advertising algorithms and these factors can change over time. It’s important for advertisers to stay up to date on the latest best practices and to continually optimize their ads to maintain a high Ad Rank.

How can I determine the Ad Rank for a particular Search Campaign?

Ad Rank is a dynamic metric that changes in real-time based on various factors, including the relevance of the ad, the quality score, and the competition for a particular search query. Here’s how you can determine the Ad Rank for a particular Search Campaign:

Log into your Google Ads account: To see your Ad Rank, you’ll need to log into your Google Ads account and navigate to the campaign you want to check.
View the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): In your Google Ads account, you can view KPIs such as the average position and click-through rate (CTR) for your ad. These metrics will give you a general idea of how well your ad is performing.
Check the Auction Insights report: The Auction Insights report shows you how your ad is performing in comparison to your competitors. This report will give you information on your ad’s average position, impression share, and overlap rate.

Note that while you can view your ad’s average position and other metrics, you cannot view your actual Ad Rank. This is because Ad Rank is a proprietary metric that Google uses to determine the order in which ads are displayed in the search results.

How to create a Google Search Ad?

Here are the steps to create a Google Search Ad:

Set up a Google Ads account: If you don’t already have a Google Ads account, you’ll need to set one up. You can do this by visiting the Google Ads website and following the instructions to create an account.
Choose your ad format: Google Search Ads come in two formats: text ads and shopping ads. Choose the format that’s best for your business and the products or services you want to promote.
Define your target audience: Determine who you want to reach with your ad. You can target your ad based on factors such as location, language, age, and interests.
Choose your keywords: Keywords are the terms that trigger your ad to appear when people search for them. Choose keywords that are relevant to your products or services and that people are likely to use when searching for them.
Write your ad: Write a headline and two lines of descriptive text for your ad. Make sure your ad is concise and clearly communicates the value of your products or services.
Set your budget and bid: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on your ad and set your maximum bid. You’ll pay each time someone clicks on your ad, so be sure to set a budget that you’re comfortable with.
Launch your ad: Once you’ve completed the steps above, you can launch your ad. Google will review your ad to make sure it complies with their advertising policies, and then your ad will start appearing in the search results.

Note: The process of creating a Google Search Ad can be complex, and it’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the Google Ads Help Center and best practices for advertising on Google before creating an ad.

What are the Best practices for Google Search Ads?

Keyword research: Find the most relevant keywords for your business and target them in your ads.
Ad relevance: Make sure your ad is relevant to the keywords you are targeting and the content on your landing page.
Ad copywriting: Write compelling ad copy that highlights the unique value of your products or services.
Landing page experience: Make sure your landing page provides a positive experience for users, with clear calls to action and easy navigation.
Bid strategy: Choose a bid strategy that aligns with your advertising goals and budget.
Ad testing: Regularly test different ad variants to improve performance and refine your targeting strategy.
Performance monitoring: Continuously monitor and analyze your ad performance to identify areas for improvement.
Negative keywords: Use negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches and avoid wasting ad spend.
Location targeting: Use location targeting to reach people in specific geographical areas.
Mobile optimization: Optimize your ads for mobile devices to reach users on-the-go.

What are the benefits of Google Search Ads

Increased visibility: Google Search Ads increase the visibility of your business and help you reach a wider audience.
Targeted advertising: Google Search Ads allow you to target specific keywords, locations, and demographics, so you can reach the right people at the right time.
Measurable results: Google Search Ads provide detailed performance metrics, so you can track the success of your campaigns and make informed decisions about future advertising efforts.
Cost-effective: With Google Search Ads, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a cost-effective way to reach potential customers.
Quick results: Google Search Ads can deliver results quickly, as they start appearing on Google search results pages as soon as your campaigns are live.
Increased brand recognition: Regularly appearing in Google search results can increase brand recognition and help establish your business as a trusted authority in your industry.
Improved ROI: By targeting the right audience and optimizing your campaigns, you can improve your return on investment from Google Search Ads.

How to remove Google Search Ads?

To remove a Google Search Ad, you need to log in to your Google Ads account and make changes to your ad campaign. Here’s how:

Log in to your Google Ads account: Go to ads.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
Find the ad campaign: In your account, navigate to the campaign that contains the ad you want to remove.
Find the ad group: Within the campaign, find the ad group that contains the ad you want to remove.
Find the ad: Within the ad group, find the ad that you want to remove.
Disable the ad: To disable the ad, click on the toggle switch next to the ad. This will stop the ad from being served.

Note that disabling an ad will not delete it from your account. If you want to delete the ad permanently, you can click the “Delete” button next to the ad.

Keep in mind that removing or disabling an ad may affect the performance of your ad campaign and impact your advertising goals. Before making any changes to your ads, it’s a good idea to consider the potential consequences and consult with an advertising expert if necessary.

How to remove Google Search Ads from browser?

To remove Google Search Ads from your browser, you can follow these steps:

Install an ad-blocker: One of the most effective ways to remove Google Search Ads from your browser is to install an ad-blocker extension. There are several ad-blockers available for various browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Some popular ad-blockers include uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, and Ghostery.
Configure the ad-blocker: Once you’ve installed the ad-blocker, you may need to configure it to block Google Search Ads. This may involve enabling certain filters or adding custom rules. The exact steps will vary depending on the ad-blocker you’re using.
Check your ad-blocker settings: After configuring your ad-blocker, make sure it’s properly configured to block Google Search Ads. You can test this by visiting a website that displays Google Search Ads and seeing if the ads are blocked.

Note that ad-blockers can also block other types of ads, not just Google Search Ads. If you only want to block Google Search Ads and not other types of ads, you may need to modify your ad-blocker settings.

Keep in mind that ad-blockers can also impact the functionality of some websites, so you may need to disable the ad-blocker for certain sites that require ads to function properly.

About Author

Anish

Digital Marketer, passionate about travel and adventure sports. Follow on Facebook Profile - https://www.facebook.com/anish.sudarsan/ & Instagram Profile - https://www.instagram.com/anishsudarsan/