Google Ads
Search Engine Land is your premier source for Google Ads news, strategies, and in-depth content. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data to help you work smarter and make better decisions that boost your ROI.
Mastering Google Ads for maximum ROI
Google Ads is a powerful tool for driving targeted traffic, generating leads, and increasing sales — but staying ahead in paid search requires more than just a basic understanding of campaigns. Search Engine Land equips you with actionable strategies to optimize ad performance, reduce wasted spend, and maximize your return on investment.
Discover insights on everything from mastering campaign types like Performance Max to leveraging advanced strategies and features like audience targeting, responsive search ads, and bidding strategies. Whether you’re managing large-scale accounts or running ads for a small business, our resources are tailored to meet your specific needs.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, alongside subject matter experts from leading agencies and top-performing brands across various industries
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6 ways to use AI for paid search account restructuring
Embracing AI is key to smarter PPC management. Let AI do the heavy lifting on these key tasks, from keyword research to bidding strategy.
Google Ads will pause low-activity keywords starting in June
Active keywords with no impressions in the past 13 months will be paused. If you re-enable them, they could be paused again after 3 months.
How to transform your Google Ads headlines with anti-audiences
Get more qualified leads from your Google Ads. Use anti-audience targeting to laser-focus your messaging on the right prospects.
Google adds 6 new AI features for Performance Max
New PMax features include Customer Value mode, customer retention goal, detailed demographics, budget pacing insights and more.
Top 5 paid search B2B lead gen strategies for 2024
Generate more B2B leads from your PPC campaigns by leveraging hyper-personalization, ABM, video and interactive content and AI automation.
3 ways to target your PPC competitors’ audience
Boost your PPC audience targeting with this action-based strategy. Learn how to reach your competitors' customers who are primed to convert.
Google Chrome IP masking could radically impact search advertising
Google's plan for IP protection would give them a monopoly on location data and drive up costs for advertisers.
7 ways to elevate your responsive search ads
From maximizing ad space to utilizing features like ad pinning and ad experiments, learn how to optimize your RSAs for better results.
How to set and manage PPC expectations for teams and stakeholders
Avoid client-agency misalignment by following best practices on setting clear PPC expectations upfront and managing communications.
Google: Ad Strength not used in Ad Rank
Ads with poor Ad Strength could still perform well. But that doesn't mean Ad Strength is not important, according to Google.
Google Demand Gen advertisers get generative image tools
Advertisers can generate original campaign assets in just a few clicks while maintaining full control over what images are used.
Google testing People Also Consider label on branded search ads
Advertisers are concerned that Google is planning to force brands into entering competitor ad auctions.
The Performance Max playbook: Best practices and emerging tactics for 2024
Strategies for running Performance Max campaigns in 2024, covering campaign structure, creative, budgeting and conversion tracking.
Advanced Google Ads tracking for local service companies
Effectively measure the marketing impact of your Google Ads campaigns for local service clients with these enhanced tracking methods.
Google updates Merchant Center product data specifications
The changes for 2024 have been designed to boost the quality of product information in both paid and organic Shopping listings.
Google and world’s largest ad group announce landmark AI collaboration
The groundbreaking partnership implies Google's robots could begin creating ads for world-leading brands like Coca-Cola.
7 ways to use generative AI in PPC
Practical tips for incorporating generative AI into PPC copywriting, keyword research, account structure building and audience analysis.
How to implement a full-funnel PPC marketing strategy
Master keyword research, ad creation and landing page optimization for your awareness, consideration and conversion-focused PPC campaigns.
Google explains why Ad Strength is ‘so important’ as it addresses industry concerns
Here's the role Ad Strength should really play when it comes to building your Google Ads campaigns.
Google to start issuing Display & Video 360 linking recommendations
When Google identifies an unlinked DV360 advertiser, it will recommend linking it to Google Analytics.
Negative keywords in paid search: 6 strategies for effective implementation
Learn hands-off vs. aggressive approaches, platform variations and best practices to improve ad relevance with negative keywords.
Google investigating Ad Manager Reach report error
Although you may still have access to Google Ad Manager, you may find you can't access the most recent data.
Search Ads 360: 3 best practices for advanced PPC marketers
Unlock SA360’s powerful data integrations, advanced bid strategies and automated template management for complex search campaigns.
Google changes definition of ‘top ads’
A Google spokesperson confirmed that the update was a 'definitional change' and would not affect performance metrics.
Google suspended 12.7 million ad accounts and blocked 5.5 billion ads in 2023
The number of advertisers who were blocked or removed due to policy violations nearly doubled compared to the previous year.
Exploring Meridian, Google’s new open-source marketing mix model
Dive into Meridian’s capabilities, limitations and how it compares to Meta's Robyn in the evolving MMM landscape.
How to benchmark PPC competitors: The definitive guide
Benchmark PPC competitors across ad networks like Google and Meta and identify top channels, creatives and landing page experiences.
Google publishes Performance Max developer guide
The new guide offers simplified access to all the necessary information required to build PMax integrations.
Disney announces Google partnership as it expands ad platform
Marketers using Google’s Display & Video 360 and The Trade Desk can now access ad inventory on Hulu and Disney Plus through DRAX.
Un-silo your PPC campaigns: 4 tactics for more cohesive marketing
Align your PPC initiatives with broader marketing strategies with these four tactics for harmonizing campaigns across channels.
Optimizing your Performance Max campaigns with Google Ads, GA4 data
Here’s how to leverage Google Ads and Google Analytics 4 data to optimize your Performance Max ads and maximize your campaign's potential.
Google Ads Report Editor exporting zeros; Google is investigating
Google is investigating the exporting issues with Google Ads Report Editor.
Google Search Ads 360 gains retail media capabilities
Google said this will increase efficiency and scale for retail media with self-service.
Why the exact match keyword type in PPC is still relevant today
Explore the synergy between exact and broad match keywords to harness machine learning while maintaining control over your ad campaigns.
How to analyze Performance Max search terms insights for PPC success
Google Ads fixed the bug preventing Performance Max search query data from showing in scripts. Here's how to analyze it PPC optimization.
6 tips for better PPC ad copy
Make every ad impression count with these tips for writing high-converting PPC ad copy.
Creating Google Ads campaigns with Gemini conversational AI: How good is it really?
Learn about Gemini AI’s capabilities and limitations, plus how to effectively use it for Google Search and Performance Max campaigns.
5 biggest challenges for PPC marketers in 2024
Get insights into the major hurdles PPC marketers will confront this year, from evolving audience targeting to changing tracking requirements.
Google Ads now limits country-level location exclusions
The platform is limiting advertisers to an exclusion list of 120 countries.
Google launches privacy-focused measurement tool for advertisers
Meridian, an open-source Marketing Mix Model (MMM), is available now to select marketers and data scientists.