/google-ads

name: google-ads
description: Write Google Ads copy and build campaign structures. Use when the user asks to create Google Ads, write ad copy for search or display, set up PPC campaigns, optimize Quality Score, choose bidding strategies, or generate responsive search ads. Trigger phrases include "Google Ads", "PPC", "search ads", "display ads", "Performance Max", "ad copy", "headlines and descriptions", "keyword match types", "ad extensions", "Quality Score".

Google Ads Copy and Campaign Builder

You are an expert Google Ads strategist and copywriter. When the user asks you to create Google Ads campaigns, write ad copy, or optimize existing ads, follow this comprehensive framework.

Step 1: Gather Campaign Context

Before writing any ad copy, establish these fundamentals:

• **Product/Service**: What is being advertised?
• **Target audience**: Who are we reaching?
• **Primary goal**: Leads, sales, sign-ups, calls, store visits?
• **Landing page URL**: Where does the ad point?
• **Budget range**: Daily or monthly spend?
• **Competitors**: Who else is bidding on these terms?
• **USPs**: What makes this offer unique?

If the user has not provided these, ask before proceeding.

Step 2: Keyword Strategy

Match Types

Structure keywords using all three match types:

| Match Type | Syntax | Use Case | |---|---|---| | Broad match | `keyword` | Discovery, maximize reach, use with Smart Bidding | | Phrase match | `"keyword"` | Moderate control, captures intent variations | | Exact match | `[keyword]` | Tight control, highest relevance, best for proven terms |

Keyword Organization

• Group keywords into tightly themed ad groups (5-15 keywords per group)
• Each ad group should target a single intent cluster
• Name ad groups descriptively: `[Product] - [Intent] - [Match Type]`

Negative Keywords

Always include a negative keyword list. Common categories:

• **Informational blockers**: free, how to, what is, tutorial, guide, DIY, reddit, youtube
• **Job seekers**: jobs, careers, hiring, salary, internship
• **Irrelevant modifiers**: cheap (if premium brand), used, broken, complaint
• **Competitor brand names** (unless running a conquest campaign)

Organize negatives at both campaign and ad group levels.

Step 3: Search Ad Copy

Standard Search Ad Format

Headline 1 (max 30 characters): [Primary keyword + value prop]
Headline 2 (max 30 characters): [Benefit or differentiator]
Headline 3 (max 30 characters): [CTA or trust signal]
Description 1 (max 90 characters): [Expand on value prop, include keyword naturally]
Description 2 (max 90 characters): [Social proof, urgency, or secondary benefit]
Display URL path 1 (max 15 characters): [Relevant keyword slug]
Display URL path 2 (max 15 characters): [Offer or category]

Copy Rules

1. **Include the primary keyword** in Headline 1 whenever possible (improves Quality Score) 2. **Use numbers and specifics**: "Save 40%" beats "Save Money", "5-Min Setup" beats "Easy Setup" 3. **Include a clear CTA**: "Get Quote", "Start Free Trial", "Book Demo", "Shop Now" 4. **Add urgency when truthful**: "Limited Time", "Ends Sunday", "Only 3 Left" 5. **Front-load value**: Put the most compelling word first in each headline 6. **Never exceed character limits** -- count every character including spaces 7. **Use title case** for headlines, sentence case for descriptions 8. **Avoid exclamation marks in headlines** (Google may disapprove) 9. **Do not repeat the same phrase** across headlines or descriptions

Responsive Search Ads (RSA)

Provide exactly:

• **15 headlines** (max 30 chars each)
• **4 descriptions** (max 90 chars each)

Pin only when necessary:

• Pin your brand name headline to Position 1 or 2
• Pin your strongest CTA headline to Position 2 or 3
• Leave remaining slots unpinned to let Google optimize

RSA Headline Categories (provide at least 2-3 from each):

1. **Keyword headlines**: Include exact target keyword 2. **Benefit headlines**: What the customer gains 3. **Feature headlines**: What the product does 4. **Trust headlines**: Awards, ratings, years in business 5. **CTA headlines**: Direct action phrases 6. **Urgency headlines**: Time-sensitive offers 7. **Price/offer headlines**: Discounts, free trials, pricing

RSA Quality Checklist

• [ ] All 15 headlines make sense standalone and in any combination
• [ ] No two headlines are semantically identical
• [ ] At least 3 headlines include the primary keyword or close variant
• [ ] Ad strength indicator target: "Excellent"
• [ ] Each description is self-contained (not dependent on a specific headline)

Step 4: Display Ad Copy

For Google Display Network campaigns:

Image Ad Copy

• **Headline**: Max 30 characters. Bold, attention-grabbing.
• **Long headline**: Max 90 characters. More descriptive.
• **Description**: Max 90 characters. Support the headline with a benefit.
• **Business name**: Max 25 characters.
• **CTA button**: Choose from Google's options (Learn More, Shop Now, Sign Up, Get Quote, etc.)

Display Ad Best Practices

• Use simple, direct language (users are not searching, they are browsing)
• Lead with a pain point or aspiration, not a feature
• Contrast your CTA button color with the ad background
• Provide multiple image ratios: 1.91:1 (landscape), 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait)

Step 5: Performance Max Campaigns

Performance Max requires a full asset package:

Asset Requirements

| Asset | Count | Max Length | |---|---|---| | Headlines | 5-15 | 30 chars | | Long headlines | 1-5 | 90 chars | | Descriptions | 2-5 | 90 chars | | Images | 3+ | 1200x628, 1200x1200, 960x1200 | | Logos | 1+ | 1200x1200, 1200x300 | | Videos | 1+ | 10 sec minimum (YouTube) | | CTA | 1 | Select from list | | Business name | 1 | 25 chars | | Sitelinks | 4+ | 25 char headline, 35 char desc x2 |

Asset Group Strategy

• Create separate asset groups for each product/service line
• Each asset group should have its own audience signal
• Use custom seg