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Advertising spend on Google search ads in the U.S. rose by 17% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, Google click growth remained steady at 8% year-on-year, while cost-per-click accelerated to 9% during the same period. #marketing #digitalmarketing #paidads #paidsearch #searchenginemarketing #Google #AI

📈 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗣𝗖 𝗨𝗽 𝟭𝟯% 𝗬𝗼𝗬, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆? 🚀💡 Google Search CPC is on the rise, but there's still room for success. Learn how to navigate this trend & potentially improve your campaign performance. IIDE - The Digital School Internshala Daksh Juneja Search Engine Land #DigitalAdvertising #DigitalMarketing #MarketingInsights #AdSpend #GoogleAds #MarketingStrategy #ROI #PPC

Interesting discussion in Search Engine Land about "Ad Strength" and its value (or lack thereof) as a metric to consider in your Google Ads campaigns. I'll admit, I've been one of those on the side that "ad strength doesn't matter" - similar to how I went on about Optimization Score being nothing but a vanity metric a few weeks ago. In all the years I've managed campaigns, I can't say that Ad Strength was a metric I glanced at more than once - especially not when so many other metrics do matter (like conversions and cost / conversion). It looks like most of the top PPC folks out there say more or less the same thing - "don't waste your time optimizing for it." However, and somewhat surprisingly, Google actually responded and entered the debate! According to Brendon Kraham, Google’s Vice President of Search & Commerce, Ad Strength is one of the factors that influences Performance Max campaigns (and in particular, their reach). So that little circle that fills up when you add more assets to your Performance Max campaigns? It might actually factor into its, well, performance. Does this mean you should now pivot your campaigns to maximizing their asset diversity? I'm not so sure. There's a lot of things we can do to campaigns that technically reduce Ad Strength or Optimization Score, but still bring in great results with strong ROI. At the end of the day, focus on the metrics that matter most to your bottom line. That said, I can't help but feel that this detail from Kraham does hint at some broader truths about Google that we've been suspecting for a while. Notably, Google loves their AI-driven solutions, with Performance Max pretty much the poster child for where ads could conceivably go as they become more and more AI-automated. Giving them more assets, and more diversified ones, will certainly give their AI more toys to play with as it experiments, learns, and iterates. And, like always, our ad accounts are always somewhat intertwined with Google's own product testing initiatives - using our dime. #PPC #AI #Google #Performance https://lnkd.in/dcV5R_xs

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗥𝗢𝗜 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘀? A simplified guide to maximizing your Google Shopping Ads return on investment (ROI): ➜ 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: Use keywords in product titles.  Use high-quality, visually appealing images. ➜ 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆: Utilize bid strategies that align with your campaign goals to optimize conversions. ➜ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀: Identify irrelevant search terms and add them as negative keywords to prevent wasted ad spend. ➜ 𝗨𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗔𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Use ad extensions, like site links, callouts, and reviews, to provide additional information and incentives to potential customers. ➜ 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Regularly analyze performance metrics such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on ad spend (ROAS). 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀? Get a free consultation: https://lnkd.in/gmHxrEuR What strategies are you using for ROI optimization? Share your experience in the comments. #googleads #roioptimization #Googleshoppingads #salemag

✋Why Enhanced Conversions are a Game-Changer for Google Ads! As tracking across several devices is becoming more challenging for any marketing channel in a privacy era like the one we have now. The importance of implementing enhanced conversion in Google Ads has never been more significant than now! I will explain why, but first, let me explain how Enhanced Conversions work: Enhanced conversions are part of Google Ads tracking and now GA4 as well. It’s designed to improve the accuracy of your conversion data while respecting the user's privacy. Enhanced Conversions allow you to send hashed first-party data, such as an email, for a converted visitor. This enables Google Ads to match that userdata to logged-in users in apps like YouTube, Gmail, and in Chrome, who viewed or clicked on ads. Here's an example of a typical buying journey where Google receives credit thanks to Enhanced Conversions: Day 1: A user makes a Google search on their desktop while logged into Google in the browser. They click into the site, browse around, and exit again. Day 2: The same user gets retargeted on their mobile through a Facebook ad. They click on the ad, visit the store, and make a purchase. The Google script fires. ❌ Without Enhanced Conversion: The Google script fires, but Google Ads or GA4 have no insight into the journey that happened on the desktop. It appears as if a new user was driven to the site by Facebook alone. Google Ads receives 0 credit. ✅With Enhanced Conversion: When the user makes a purchase on mobile from the Facebook click, the Google script fires. Either in the script or, even better, through the API, a hashed email is to Google. This is where the magic happens. Now, Google can say, 'Hey, that user was actually logged in on the Desktop in Chrome, searched and clicked on a Google ad to the site. Google can then credit the conversion back from the mobile to the desktop, using it for reporting and bidding purposes. All of this happens without relying on third-party cookies. This example clearly demonstrates why Enhanced Conversion is crucial for accurate reporting and bidding. The loss of conversion data would lead to algorithms and marketers making incorrect decisions. 🚀 Don't miss out on accurate insights! Implement Enhanced Conversion now. 👍 Follow me on LinkedIn to learn tracking, value-based bidding, and attribution. Stay updated on industry changes and discover how to improve tracking, use POAS bidding, and boost CLV, and more!

🚨 Mind-blowing Data Alert! 🚨 45% increase in brand search cost per clicks on Google Ads year over year! 📈 This is staggering data from our agency's clients' performance for the first half of the year. There’s no getting around it: Google has been increasing costs and shrinking advertisers' profit margins. Even the typically most efficient and profitable search terms are taking a huge hit. Why is this happening? Google's expansion of "close variants" and loosening match types 🧐 Increase in automated campaign and bidding utilization 🤖 Google's increases in minimum cost-per-click threshold to participate in auctions 💸 The issue is that most of this is out of advertisers' control. Even with extensive use of negatives and narrow match types or exclusion from automation, when the rest of the market uses automation and broader match types, there's a higher likelihood other advertisers are competing against you in your branded search (whether they want to or not). 😓 Google will continue to manipulate minimum thresholds to “shake the couch cushion” and increase their revenue. 💰 What can brands do to mitigate the increase in costs? Maximize conversion rates on the traffic that actually comes to the site by engaging in conversion rate optimization for desktop and mobile experiences. 🖥️📱 Continuously check search term reports and use exclusions to ensure brand and non-brand traffic cohesion. 🔍✂️ Work on increasing click-through rates on branded traffic by optimizing ad copy. ✏️🔝 Experiment with different bidding types. We've seen that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. For example, one advertiser found that the absolute top impression share goal actually led to a decrease in cost per clicks and an increase in impression share. 🎯📊 Remember, proactive strategies and constant optimization can help you stay ahead despite these challenging times. 💡 Sources: Google Ads: Search Ad Costs【10Search Engine Land: Google Ads close variants【10ow are you navigating these changes in Google Ads? Share your thoughts and strategies below! ⬇️ P.S. Repost this ♻️ for your network. #ppcchat #googleads #digitalmarketing

As per recent Search Engine Journal report, The avg CPC in 2023 was 13% higher than 2022. But even amidst increasing CPCs, smart optimization tactics can keep your campaigns thriving. Here's your arsenal to slay those skyrocketing costs and boost your ROI: 1. Keyword Ninja Tactics: ✅ Unearth hidden gems: Dive deeper than broad match! Explore long-tail keywords and niche phrases for lower competition and targeted traffic. ✅ Negative keyword mastery: Block irrelevant searches like "free" or "competitor comparisons" to avoid click-wasting vampires. ✅ Bid like a boss: Use automated bidding strategies (Target CPA or ROAS) to optimize bids based on conversion goals, not just clicks. 2. Relevance Rules: ✅ Ad & Landing Page Harmony: Sing in perfect tune! Ads, keywords, and landing pages must be in perfect harmony for Google's love. ✅ Quality Score is King: Optimize ad copy, relevance, and landing page experience to boost your Quality Score and unlock lower CPCs. ✅ Ad Extensions are your Allies: Showcase location, reviews, callouts, and more to stand out and increase click-through rate (CTR), potentially lowering CPCs. 3. Conversion Champion: ✅ Landing Page Optimization is key: Don't let visitors bounce! Streamline your landing page for seamless conversion, from clear CTAs to fast loading times. ✅ A/B Testing is your friend: Experiment with different ad copy, headlines, and landing page elements to find the winning formula for maximum conversions. ✅ Retargeting for the win: Reconnect with past visitors who showed interest. They're warmer leads, often leading to higher conversion rates and lower CPCs. Bonus Tip: Stay sharp! Regularly monitor campaign performance, analyze search terms, and adapt your strategies to stay ahead of the curve. ✅ Remember: It's not about the lowest CPC, but the highest ROI. By focusing on smart optimization and conversions, you can conquer rising costs and watch your Google Ads campaigns dominate in 2024! #GoogleAds #MarketingTips #PPC #Optimization #ROI #RisingCosts

Here is how I achieved a 400% Revenue Boost in Just 30 Days with this Google Shopping Trick! One of my clients was struggling with low visibility in a saturated market. Despite having competitive prices and high-quality products, their Google Shopping ads were not performing as expected. The culprit? Ineffective product titles. To tackle this, I implemented a strategic keyword-seeding approach that transformed their results. Here's how: In-depth keyword Research: Using Google Keyword Planner, I identified high-search volume keywords relevant to the client’s products. Optimized Product Titles: I revamped the product titles to naturally incorporate these high-performing keywords, ensuring a balance between SEO best practices and clear, compelling language. Continuous Monitoring & Refinement: Post-implementation, I kept a close eye on performance, making data-driven adjustments to maintain growth and relevance. The Results: In just 30 days, the impact was nothing short of phenomenal: Revenue Increase: A staggering 400% boost in revenue. Enhanced CTR: Click-through rates soared by 45%, showing higher engagement. Reduced CPC: Cost-per-click dropped by 20%, optimizing ad spend efficiency. Key Takeaways: Keyword Relevance is Crucial: Properly seeding high-search volume keywords into product titles can dramatically enhance visibility and click-through rates. Dynamic Adjustments: Regularly reviewing and refining ad content ensures sustained performance improvements. P.S. When was the last time you optimized your product titles for Google Shopping? Don’t sleep on this strategy—your next big revenue jump could be just a few keywords away!

Rumors have been flying about "the Death of the Keyword" for a decade. But based on a recent survey from Google, those concerns are more real than ever. Here's what it's all about: First, credit to David Kyle for sharing this news. Thank you David! 𝗔 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Way back in 2014, David Rodnitzky wrote an article predicting the death of the keyword based on four main factors: 1. Shopping Ads 2. Dynamic Search Ads 3. Close variant matching 4. Hidden search terms While the keyword is still alive today, all four of David's trends have intensified, and the keyword's importance and efficacy has indeed eroded as result. Then, at this year's Google Marketing Live, Google used the word "keywordless" for the first time. This might seem minor, but they used it to describe their darling new campaign type: Performance Max. On the other hand, Google also positioned Search campaigns and PMax campaigns together as "the new power pair". 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘄 Google's product team is conducting surveys and focus groups testing advertisers' willingness to roll up keyword campaigns into those famously "keywordless" PMax campaigns. PMax is already absorbing several campaign types including Smart Shopping (RIP), Local (RIP), Dynamic Search, and Google Display. Meanwhile, Discover campaigns are being absorbed into Demand Gen campaigns. Could Search campaigns really be next? Will the keyword be replaced by PMax's search themes? There's a line of thinking... that Google is not asking if this migration is a good idea, or whether advertisers want this, but rather – how uphill will this battle be? Which resources will be needed? What timeline is realistic? In other words, there's a good chance that Google has already made up their minds. Whatever the case, this will certainly be a topic we will watch with the closest interest in 2024 – follow Smarter Ecommerce (smec) to stay up-to-date! 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 On the latest episode of Growing Ecommerce, host Mike Ryan discusses this news as well as two other hidden bombshells that you probably haven't heard of – but you should have. He describes how these themes could interwine to redefine Google Ads over the course of the next couple years. Listen here: 🔗 Apple – apple.co/3NCPNs6 🔗 Spotify – spoti.fi/3Tw9nK8

Search ads are a game-changer for businesses in the digital world. As we all know, search engines are the driving force behind our online presence. With SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) becoming the new billboard spaces, leveraging Shopping Ads, Google Maps Ads, and Call Ads can have a meaningful impact on conversions. Check out my blog on Popular Search Ads & Conversion Considerations. #conversion #googlemaps #marketers #marketing #marketingstrategy #searchengineoptimization #searchenginemarketing #searchads #serp #shoppingads #googleads #retail