Competitor targeting in Google Ads is widely misunderstood. After seeing so much misinformation online, Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales sets the record straight in episode 137. She breaks down common competitor targeting myths, explains what Google’s policies actually say, and shares how to run competitor campaigns that drive great results - while staying fully compliant.

You will learn how automation features like text customization and broad matching can accidentally trigger ads that impersonate other businesses, putting your account at risk. Jyll walks through practical settings to protect your brand, including negative keywords, brand exclusions, and unbranded targeting options in AI Max. Finally, she shares a real competitor conquesting strategy she implemented with her client, and how you can achieve extraordinary (and compliant!) results.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• The critical difference between trademark policy and misrepresentation in Google Ads
• Why impersonating competitors in ad headlines breaks Google policy and local consumer protection laws
• How text customization and AI Max can lead to unintended competitor targeting
• Practical ways to prevent accidental policy violations using brand exclusions and negative keywords
• A step-by-step strategy for running high-performing, compliant competitor comparison campaigns
  
  

Jyll references this LinkedIn post by Darren Shaw in the episode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/darrenshawwhitespark_update-moz-contacted-me-this-is-just-google-activity-7493791667062210560-dL2n

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode137

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode137

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll's courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode137

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AI is not taking your job, but sticking to outdated manual tactics just might. In episode 136 of Inside Google Ads, Jyll Saskin Gales shares an excerpt from an interview she recently did with Erum Shaheen about the evolving role of the Google Ads media buyer. As Jyll says, AI is not new to Google Ads, but the shift from manual execution to strategic direction changes how accounts must be managed.

Instead of fighting automation, Jyll says that media buyers who thrive will be the ones who master the strategic levers needed to guide AI. Success no longer comes from picking every single keyword or setting manual bids. It comes from bringing your unique data and expertise to the table to lead the system effectively. Jyll breaks down the essential foundation every account needs to give automation clear boundaries, ensure your budget produces results, and future-proof your campaigns as search continues to evolve.

The full interview was originally published at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ai8fuvKAbA 

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Why AI is an assistant rather than a full replacement for media buyersShifting from manual campaign controls to guiding automated bidding
• The three essential foundation elements: full funnel conversion tracking, customer data, and compelling creative
• How to balance exact match keywords while testing AI features for future readiness
• Utilizing custom segments and search terms in Demand Gen campaigns for budget friendly audience targeting
• Lessons learned from Performance Max updates and why smaller or B2B accounts still require a direct human touch

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode136

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode136

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll's courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode136

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Are you tired of the same old recycled Google ads tips, tricks and "hacks"? Get ready for something new! In episode 135, host Jyll Saskin Gales shares a fresh perspective on a Google Ads strategy that works well for sensitive interest categories, highly competitive industries, tiny B2B niches, and more. It's called non-linear targeting, and it may be just what you need if your Google Ads have "stopped working" and you're not sure what to try next. 

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why traditional linear search strategies are becoming too expensive and restrictive for many advertisers
• What non-linear targeting is and which businesses benefit from it most
• How to define your scope by distinguishing between who needs your product and your ideal customer
• Brainstorming adjacent audience segments across detailed demographics, affinities, and in-market options
• Using ad creative to qualify ideal prospects while repelling non-ideal leads
• Real-world non-linear targeting examples across healthcare, retail, financial services, and real estate

This episode is based on Jyll's recent article for Search Engine Journal called "The Scenic Route To ROI: Mastering Non-Linear Targeting In Google Ads." You can read the article here: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-scenic-route-to-roi-mastering-non-linear-targeting-in-google-ads/581784/

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode135
 
Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode135

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll's courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode135

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2016 may be trending on social media, but it has no place in your Google Ads strategy! In special episode 134, Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales sits down with conversion optimization expert and Heart Before Cart podcast host Talia Wolf to discuss how Google Ads has shifted, and what it really takes to succeed today. We break down how to give AI algorithms the right signals, starting with a rock-solid conversion tracking foundation, why so many ads sound identical, and how you can "TikTokify" your headlines to grab attention in search results. Plus, we discuss why your landing page, offer, and post-click sales experience matter just as much as your campaigns.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why fighting Google Ads automation fails and how to guide AI effectively
• Jyll's 3Cs framework: Conversion tracking, Customer data, and Creative strategy
• How to TikTokify text ad headlines to stand out in crowded search results
• Finding true customer motivations beyond simply competing on price
• The core mechanics of Ad Rank and how ad quality reduces your cost per click
• Why PPC, conversion optimization, and sales teams must align for success

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode134

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode134

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll's courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode134

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If PMax is just a black box, doesn't that mean you can't optimize it? Wrong on so many levels! In Episode 133 of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales breaks down five common Performance Max mistakes that even experienced digital marketers and agencies make. While PMax can be a powerful tool for scaling performance, misinterpreting its mechanics can waste your money and limit your success. In this in-depth episode, Jyll outlines practical, data-backed adjustments to help you align your strategy with how Google's AI actually works.

Key topics discussed:

• Asset group structure, and how to test creative and signals
• Whether or not to keep brand searches in PMax, and what it depends on
• The one essential tool you need before running lead generation campaigns in PMax
• How to think about product duplication across PMax and Standard Shopping
• When to actually add negative keywords or adjust your headlines, descriptions and images

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode133

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• All about Offline Conversion Tracking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROs6o7Lllu4
• Episode 109 - How to Optimize PMax: https://youtu.be/lg9ixk2KOWQ

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode133

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll's courses. 

Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode133

Follow Jyll on social media
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Quality Score is one of those foundational Google Ads components that every practitioner knows is important, but figuring out how to improve it can be surprisingly difficult. In episode 132, host Jyll Saskin Gales shares her practical, step-by-step framework for increasing your Quality Score. Jyll breaks down what the three diagnostic columns actually mean: ad relevance, landing page experience, and expected click-through rate. You will learn how to audit your auction competitors using the Google Ads Transparency Center and how to borrow the best aspects of their ad text to boost your own click-through rates. Finally, Jyll examines a real-world case study from Google Ads expert Kuda Chinara, who demonstrated how improving Quality Score successfully decreased a client's cost per lead.

Key Topics Discussed: 

• Understanding Quality Score: Learn what keyword-level Quality Score actually means and how it differs from Optimization Score and Ad Strength.
• The Three Diagnostic Pillars: Discover how to analyze ad relevance, landing page experience, and expected click-through rate.
• Competitor Spy Framework: Step-by-step instructions on using the Google Ads Transparency Center to analyze competitor ads and find inspiration.
• Case Study Breakdown: Review Kuda Chinara's LinkedIn case study on how improving Quality Score lowered cost per lead.
• Actionable Optimization Tips: Practical advice on shifting from product features to customer benefits in your ad copy.

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode132

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 107: Quality Score https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/107?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode132
• Kuda Chinhara's LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7467877762561781761/
• Jyll's The Insider newsletter issue about Quality Score: https://learn.jyll.ca/newsletters/the-insider/posts/quality-score-expected-ctr?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode132
• Google PageSpeed Insights tool: https://pagespeed.web.dev/
• Google Ads Transparency Center: https://adstransparency.google.com/
  
  

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode132

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll''s courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode132

Follow Jyll on social media
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How can you navigate the sheer volume of changes coming to Google Ads every week?

In this special episode, Google Ads Coach Jyll Saskin Gales is joined by agency owner Duane Brown in a conversation hosted by Lunio's James Deeney. They dissect the latest announcements from Google Marketing Live (GML) and separate the genuine opportunities from the pure marketing hype. Together, they share their hands-on experiences with Google’s evolving ecosystem, offering a reality check on the tools you should actually be using—and the ones you should avoid for now.  They dive deep into the limitations of the newly rebranded Ask Advisor tool, the creative potential and compliance risks of Nano Banana Pro, and the slow but intriguing emergence of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). Jyll also explains why the best modern advertisers must thrive in shades of gray, balancing fundamental marketing principles with strategic automation. Whether you are managing a tight budget or setting up account-level safeguards, this episode offers a practical blueprint for future-proofing your Google Ads strategy without losing your sanity. 

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Reality of Ask Advisor: Why Jyll recommends pausing use of this rebranded chatbot for now due to incorrect data and a lack of true agentic action.  
• Nano Banana Pro & Automated Creatives: Evaluating AI-generated assets for small businesses and managing brand safety and IP risks.  
• Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP): What UCP is, its connection to Shopify, and why you should focus on SEO foundations first.  
• Lead Gen Features & Journey-Aware Bidding: Why Jyll is highly optimistic about offline conversion tracking and new GML lead generation tools.  
• Thriving in the Gray Area: Shifting away from binary thinking to embrace smart testing without discarding classic marketing principles.  
• Audience Q&A: Tactical advice on campaign consolidation, managing picky clients, and starting fresh with Google Ads without feeling overwhelmed. 

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode131

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode131

Inside Google Ads course
More than 1000 marketers like you have mastered Google Ads with Jyll''s courses. Join Inside Google Ads now to get exclusive access to video tutorials, templates & cheat sheets, JyllBot, top industry experts, and more. See what you're missing at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode131

Follow Jyll on social media
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Google announced a change to how budget-limited campaigns on target-based bid strategies will work... is it time to freak out? Hardly! In episode 130 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales cuts through the hyperbole to tell you what's changing, what you need to know, and what it ACTUALLY means for your campaigns. While social media is filled with "hot takes," the reality of this update is much more straightforward than the rumors suggest.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What the August 17, 2026 smart bidding update actually changes for target CPA and target ROAS campaigns
• The difference between the red "limited by budget" warning and the yellow recommendation
• Why some advertisers see an anecdotal performance "overshoot" in budget-limited campaigns
• Practical solutions for accounts that are chronically limited by budget
• How to use maximize bid strategies as an alternative to target-based bidding

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Resources discussed in this episode:
- Brooke Osmundson's Search Engine Journal article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-clarifies-smart-bidding-update-after-advertiser-concerns/581804/
- Google Ads documentation about this change: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/17061251?hl=en
- Inside Google Ads episode 7 - What should you do if your campaign is limited by budget? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/7?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130
- Inside Google Ads episode 93 - What does limited by budget mean in Google Ads? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/93?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Follow Jyll on social media
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How do you actually manage your Google Ads on a day-to-day, week-to-week, or month-to-month basis? In episode 129 of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales breaks down exactly how to approach campaign management across three distinct scenarios: launching a brand new campaign, maintaining a campaign that is already performing well, and diagnosing a campaign that is struggling. Whether you are dealing with skyrocketing CPCs or trying to figure out when to let machine learning do its job, this episode offers a practical framework for confident account management.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Managing New Campaigns: What metrics to check after 2 to 3 days, with benchmarks for each campaign type.
• The "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It" Maxim: Why a clean change history can be a sign of true expertise, and how to shift to higher-impact monthly tasks.
• Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis: How to diagnose performance issues at the source instead of relying on ineffective "band-aid" tactics.
• The Reality of Rising CPCs: A simple exercise in the Search Terms Report to understand how Smart Bidding takes calculated risks on high-value conversions.

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

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What should you do when your search campaigns are maxed out? In episode 128 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales shares a story about a Google Ads coaching client who runs an agency, and achieved incredible results for a local service business... until he hit a wall when trying to scale the budget. She discovers that his client has a non-brand search impression share of 91% (!), and discusses what this means, and what to do next.

If you feel stuck with a budget that will not spend, or CPCs that keep rising, this episode provides a clear path forward for your Google Ads growth.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• How to identify when you have reached the limit of search opportunity.
• The connection between high impression share and inflated CPCs.
• Why excellent landing pages and sales training are essential for high-cost industries.
• Transitioning from phrase and exact match keywords to a broader strategy.
• How to use Demand Gen campaigns to reach people when they are not actively searching.
• How to know when it's time to expand your reach.

You can get Inside Google Ads episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week, and sign up for Jyll's free bi-weekly newsletter - The Insider - at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 120: Demand Gen vs Video Campaigns: Which Is Better? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/120?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128
• Episode 124: Google Ads Demand Gen: Use the 5x5x5 Rule to Stop Ad Fatigue https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/124?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128
• The Insider newsletter issue - Growing Your Google Ads When Search is Maxed Out: https://learn.jyll.ca/newsletters/the-insider/posts/maxed-out-search-impression-share?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Read more about this topic on Jyll's Google Ads Blog
Should you use Broad Match keywords in Google Ads? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/should-you-use-broad-match-keywords-in-google-ads?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Worried About High CPCs with Maximize Conversions? You Shouldn't Be https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/worried-about-high-cpcs-with-maximize-conversions-you-shouldn-t-be?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Your Ultimate Guide to Impression Share in Google Ads https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/what-is-impression-share-in-google-ads?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

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