What's the easiest way to spy on your competitor's keywords? In episode 68, Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales dives deep into effective (and ethical) ways to gain valuable insights into your competitors' Google Ads strategies. Forget misleading paid tools; Jyll shares her top three go-to methods that will actually help you understand what's working for others and where you might be missing out. And they're all free! Plus, Jyll breaks down the four ways to increase your search impression share, with the caveat that more isn't always better. Finally, Jyll addresses a frustrating Google Ads tool error, offering a straightforward explanation and a strong recommendation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Practical techniques for researching competitor keywords and ad strategies using Keyword Planner and the Google Ads Transparency Center.
• Understanding how to interpret your own auction insights to identify competitor priorities and keyword overlap.
• Debunking the myth of a universally "good" impression share and exploring the balance between visibility and profitability.
• Exploring the four main ways to increase your impression share: budget, bidding, quality, and targeting.
• Why the Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool can be unreliable and what the "search location doesn't match" error actually means.

Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!

Blog post mentioned in this episode: The Ultimate Guide to Google Ads Quality Score: https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-google-ads-quality-score?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode68 

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode68 

Inside Google Ads course
Monthly live Q&A calls with Jyll and guest experts? More than 100 up-to-date Google Ads tutorials? Join more than 400+ Google Ads practitioners leveling up with Jyll Inside Google Ads. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode68 

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Are rising Google Ads CPCs making you sweat? It's not a good enough excuse to stick with manual bidding. In fact, that's counterproductive! In episode 67 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales explains why higher costs with Smart Bidding strategies like Maximize Conversions are actually a good thing, and contribute to better performance. She also addresses concerns about using Maximize Conversions in new accounts with no prior data and clarifies whether duplicate ad groups inflate your CPCs.

Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode67 

Inside Google Ads course
Monthly live Q&A calls with Jyll and guest experts? More than 100 up-to-date Google Ads tutorials? Join more than 400+ Google Ads practitioners leveling up with Jyll Inside Google Ads. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode67 

Find Jyll on social media
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PMax channel reporting is here! Time to celebrate? In a very candid episode of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales dives into the latest buzz from Google: the upcoming channel reporting feature for Performance Max campaigns. While the promise of transparency—finally seeing how your PMax spend is distributed across Google's various channels like Search, Display, Maps, and Gmail—might sound exciting, Jyll offers a more nuanced perspective. She explains why this visibility without the ability to directly control channel allocation could lead to more frustration than success. Jyll also discusses recent PMax updates (like the introduction of a full search terms report and the ability to add up to 10,000 negative keywords).and Demand Gen updates (channel reporting and controls), further highlighting the perplexing nature of this PMax news. Join Jyll as she shares her honest opinion on these developments and what they might mean for your Google Ads strategy.

Plus, stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode66 

Google Ads Coaching
Want to put Jyll's brain (and 10+ years of expertise) to work on your Google Ads account? Book a Google Ads coaching call! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode66 

Catch Jyll's new interview with Scott Redgate on Scott's YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/c/ScottRedgate 

Find Jyll on social media
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Are bid adjustments in Google Ads still a "thing"? In Episode 65 of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales tackles your questions about bid strategy adjustments. First, Jyll provides alternatives to manual CPC with location bid adjustments. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause to guide automation effectively. Next, Jyll explains Google's customer lifecycle goals features in detail, which you may know as "bid for new customers only" mode. She proposes a practical rule of thumb for when these features might be beneficial. Finally, Jyll answers a philosophical question about the impact of your bidding strategy on Google Ads performance.

Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode65 

Buy my book!
Inside Google Ads: Everything you need to know about Audience Targeting is available now on Amazon! This book is your comprehensive guide to mastering audience targeting and achieving exceptional results. Go to Amazon in your country and search "Inside Google Ads" to find the paperback and ebook editions. Learn more at https://jyll.ca/book?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode65

Join my SMX Master Class: Beyond Search for 6 hours of on-demand training with me based on "Jyll's Triangle of Google Ads Success." https://searchengineland.com/smx/master-classes/topics/google-ads-beyond-search

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Guess what?! Jyll's book, "Inside Google Ads: Everything You Need to Know About Audience Targeting," is officially out today! You can buy it on Amazon, in paperback or ebook.

To celebrate, host Jyll Saskin Gales shares a little taste of what you'll find inside with a special podcast episode. In this short but sweet installment (episode 64 of Inside Google Ads), she reads an excerpt about Your data segments aka remarketing. Jyll shares the four main types of remarketing, and dives into the first one, which is all about using your website data.

Ready to learn how to reach the right audience? Buy the book by searching "Jyll Saskin Gales" on Amazon, or find the full list of localized links at jyll.ca/book

Find Jyll on social media
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Struggling to understand Google Ads custom segments? Are you not seeing them anymore in your audience targeting settings? You're not alone! In Episode 63 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales breaks down the complexities of custom segments in Google Ads.

Just in time for the launch of her new book, "Inside Google Ads: Everything You Need to Know About Audience Targeting" (available on Amazon April 16th, 2025), Jyll gives listeners an exclusive sneak peek into her chapter about Custom Segments. She clarifies what custom segments are, how they work, and the four key inputs you can use. Then, she shares one of her big "aha!" moments about the relationship between content targeting and audience targeting through custom segments.

Next, Jyll answers one listener's question about custom segments in search campaigns and clarifies their compatibility across different campaign types like Display, Demand Gen, Video, and Performance Max. Finally, she answers an agency owner's question about the best way to leverage website URLs for custom segments.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Understanding the definition and usage of custom segments in Google Ads.
• Exploring the four inputs for creating custom segments: interests, searches, websites, and apps.
• The relationship between content targeting (topics, placements, keywords) and audience targeting through custom segments.
• Compatibility of custom segments with different Google Ads campaign types (Display, Demand Gen, Search, Video, PMax).
• Clarification on using website URLs when creating website-based custom segments.

Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode63 

Buy my book!
Inside Google Ads: Everything you need to know about Audience Targeting hits Amazon on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025. This book is your comprehensive guide to mastering audience targeting and achieving exceptional results. Learn more at https://jyll.ca/book?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode63 

Find Jyll on social media
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Are you wondering whether those super specific exact match keywords in Google Ads are actually worth the higher cost? Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales tackles this question and more in Episode 62 of Inside Google Ads. We're diving into the world of keyword match types, looking at whether exact match consistently delivers a better return on investment compared to broad match, and discussing why the old "phrase match is the middle ground" advice might not hold up anymore. Plus, we're exploring why trying to micromanage exact match through scripts or SKAGs isn't the most effective strategy anymore.

Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode62

Inside Google Ads course
Want an exclusive invitation to the top search marketing conferences in the world... without getting off your couch? Now, Inside Google Ads course members get exclusive access to Jyll's conference presentations from Friends of Search, SMX Munich, MnSearch and more! Yet another reason to join more than 400+ Google Ads practitioners leveling up Inside Google Ads. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode62

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In this tech-heavy episode of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales answers three of your burning Google Ads questions. First, get a sneak peek at Jyll’s exclusive account audit template and discover the five key areas she focuses on to maximize Google Ads Account Audits. Next, demystify the world of UTM tracking and learn how to use them to gain valuable insights into your website traffic. Finally, Jyll clarifies the differences between her two popular Google Ads courses, Inside Google Ads and Google Ads for Beginners, to help you choose the best training for your needs. And as always, there's a new PMax Insider Challenge for you to solve!

Key Topics:

• Google Ads account audit template
• UTM tracking explained
• Inside Google Ads course vs. Google Ads for Beginners course
• Performance Max campaign analysis

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode61

Inside Google Ads course
Ready to take your Google Ads skills to the next level? Let me show you how to optimize Search, Shopping, Display, Demand Gen, Video and Performance Max campaigns like a pro. Join more than 400 practitioners today: https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode61 

Google Ads for Beginners course
Stop guessing, start advertising. Learn everything you need to know, explained in clear and simple language, to run your first Google Ads campaign - completely updated for 2025. Start now at https://learn.jyll.ca/google-ads-for-beginners?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode61 

YouTube Playlist: Google Ads Account Audits
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL62Jp6AKaQkLnj0G5lJaQeIygb70PGzkH 

Mike Rhodes PMax script [affiliate link]
https://mikerhodes.circle.so/checkout/latest-script?affiliate_code=f578f5 

Find Jyll on social media
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Let's put this question to bed once and for all: PMax for Lead Gen, yay or nay? In Episode 60 of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales tackles your questions about Performance Max for lead generation. Is it a good fit for B2B clients? How does it compare to Demand Gen campaigns? And can it be effectively used for affiliate marketing?

Key topics discussed:

• Comparing Performance Max and Demand Gen for B2B.
• Strategies for scaling remarketing campaigns using PMax.
• The feasibility and challenges of using Performance Max for affiliate marketing.
• The importance of conversion tracking for PMax success.
• Testing visual mediums and audience targeting with Demand Gen.

Plus, I have a very special guest at the end of the episode sharing a new Insider Challenge for you to solve!

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode60

Google Ads Coaching
Want to put Jyll's brain (and 10+ years of expertise) to work on your Google Ads account? Book a Google Ads coaching call! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode60 

Find Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://youtube.com/@the_google_pro
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This is the episode you've been waiting for! For special episode 59, Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales shares her "Advanced Audience Targeting Strategies" talk from the Paid Search Association Conference 2025. She explores the differences between audience and content targeting, discusses the shift in Google Ads' audience targeting capabilities, and looks at some exciting new features. Jyll also reveals her top 3 audience targeting strategies: non-linear targeting, creative-led targeting, and indirect competitor targeting. Tune in to discover how to adapt your Google Ads strategy and achieve better results with these advanced techniques.

Key topics discussed:

• Understanding Audience vs. Content Targeting
• The New World of Google Ads Audience Targeting
• New Features: Google Engaged Audiences & Conversion-Based Customer Lists
• Non-linear Targeting: Reaching Your Audience Indirectly Yet Effectively
• Creative-Led Targeting: Using Ad Creative to Attract and Repel
• Indirect Competitor Targeting: Leveraging Non-Brand Searches In New Ways

You can get episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode59

Inside Google Ads: Everything you need to know about Audience Targeting
This episode is a sneak peak at Jyll's upcoming book about Google Ads audience targeting. Sign up for free to be notified when her book is released at https://free.jyll.ca?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode59

Find Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
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