Here’s an overview of the different types of Google Ads campaigns:
Search Network Campaigns: These ads appear on Google search results when users search for keywords related to your product or service. They usually consist of text ads and are displayed above or below the organic search results.
Display Network Campaigns: Ads in this campaign type are displayed across a vast network of websites, apps, and videos that partner with Google. They can include text, image, video, or rich media ads and are targeted based on factors like demographics, interests, and website content.
Shopping Campaigns: Primarily used by e-commerce businesses, shopping campaigns showcase product images, prices, and store names right at the top of Google search results. These ads are highly visual and allow users to directly compare products before clicking through to make a purchase.
Video Campaigns: Video ads appear on YouTube and other Google Display Network sites. They can be in various formats like skippable in-stream ads, non-skippable in-stream ads, video discovery ads, and bumper ads. Video campaigns are useful for brand awareness, product launches, and driving engagement.
App Campaigns: These campaigns are designed to promote mobile apps across Google’s network, including Google Search, Google Play, YouTube, and the Google Display Network. Google automatically optimizes the ads to drive app installs or in-app actions based on the advertiser’s goals.
Each campaign type offers different targeting options, ad formats, and optimization features, allowing advertisers to reach their target audience effectively across various platforms and devices.
Google Ads offers several types of ad campaigns, each suited for different marketing goals and platforms. Understanding the various campaign types and knowing when to use them will help you maximize the effectiveness of your advertising efforts.
1. Search Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Text ads appear on Google search results pages when users search for relevant keywords.
Ads also appear on Google’s search partners’ sites.
When to Use:
Best for capturing high-intent audiences actively searching for products, services, or information.
Ideal for driving conversions such as website visits, sign-ups, or purchases.
Good for targeting specific keywords related to your business.
Example Use Case:
A local business, like a law firm, using keywords like “personal injury lawyer near me” to attract users searching for legal services.
2. Display Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Visual/banner ads appear across Google Display Network (GDN), including websites, YouTube, and apps.
When to Use:
Excellent for increasing brand awareness and reaching a broad audience.
Great for retargeting past website visitors with visually engaging ads.
Use when you want to show ads to potential customers while they browse the web, not necessarily while they’re searching.
Example Use Case:
A travel agency uses display ads to show vacation packages to people browsing travel blogs or related websites.
3. Shopping Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Product listing ads (PLAs) appear on Google Search, Google Shopping, and Google search partner sites.
When to Use:
Best for e-commerce businesses that want to promote specific products.
Highly effective for showing product details like images, prices, and reviews.
Ideal for driving online sales or generating leads for products available in physical stores.
Example Use Case:
An online clothing retailer showcasing specific items like “blue denim jacket” in search results, with the product image and price visible.
4. Video Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Video ads appear on YouTube and across Google’s video partners (apps and websites).
When to Use:
Effective for increasing brand awareness or engagement through video content.
Ideal for storytelling, product demos, tutorials, or promoting special offers.
Best suited for visual and emotional connections with your audience.
Example Use Case:
A beauty brand promoting a new product line through a tutorial or testimonial video on YouTube.
5. App Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads for mobile apps appear across Google’s properties, including Google Search, Google Play, YouTube, and the Google Display Network.
When to Use:
Perfect for app developers or businesses that want to drive app installs or in-app conversions.
Best for promoting your app to users across multiple Google platforms with minimal setup.
Example Use Case:
A mobile game developer using app campaigns to drive downloads from both the Google Play Store and broader Google properties.
6. Smart Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads can appear on Google Search, Display Network, Maps, and across Google’s ecosystem.
When to Use:
Simplified campaign type ideal for small businesses or beginners.
Best for automating ad creation and targeting while letting Google optimize performance.
Suitable for businesses with limited time or expertise in managing campaigns.
Example Use Case:
A local restaurant wanting to advertise their location and menu without managing intricate ad targeting details.
7. Discovery Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads appear on Google’s Discover feed, YouTube Home, and Gmail.
When to Use:
Great for visually engaging formats aimed at generating leads, building awareness, or driving website traffic.
Perfect for reaching people when they’re exploring content across Google’s most popular platforms.
Example Use Case:
A fitness brand showcasing a new line of workout gear to users scrolling through the Discover feed or YouTube Home page.
8. Performance Max Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads are automatically distributed across all Google platforms: Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and more.
When to Use:
Ideal for businesses looking for a cross-channel campaign with a single setup.
Best for achieving specific conversion goals such as sales, leads, or app downloads.
Performance Max uses machine learning to optimize the campaign across all Google platforms.
Example Use Case:
An e-commerce brand looking to drive sales across multiple Google touchpoints using a single campaign that adapts based on performance data.
9. Local Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads appear on Google Search, Maps, Display Network, and YouTube.
When to Use:
Best for promoting physical store visits or driving traffic to local businesses.
Ideal for targeting users who are searching for nearby locations and services.
Example Use Case:
A coffee shop using local campaigns to show promotions on Google Maps when people search for nearby cafes.
10. Hotel Campaigns
Where Ads Appear:
Ads appear in Google Search, Google Maps, and on hotel booking partners’ sites.
When to Use:
Designed specifically for hotel and travel businesses to drive direct bookings.
Ideal for targeting potential travelers looking for accommodations based on dates, locations, and pricing.
Example Use Case:
A resort using hotel ads to appear in Google’s hotel search results, showcasing their pricing, availability, and booking options.
When to Use Each Campaign Type:
Search Campaigns: Best for direct intent, capturing leads, and driving website traffic.
Display Campaigns: Use for brand awareness, retargeting, and broad audience reach.
Shopping Campaigns: E-commerce and product-specific promotions.
Video Campaigns: Use for engagement, storytelling, or demonstrating products visually.
App Campaigns: Best for promoting app downloads and in-app actions.
Smart Campaigns: For businesses wanting a hands-off, simplified approach.
Discovery Campaigns: Great for visually rich ads aimed at generating new leads or awareness.
Performance Max Campaigns: A cross-channel approach for maximum conversion.
Local Campaigns: Ideal for driving foot traffic to physical locations.
Hotel Campaigns: For hospitality businesses focusing on bookings.
By understanding the strengths of each campaign type, you can align your advertising strategy with your business goals and maximize your advertising impact.