Running Google Ads for a local business can feel like a gamble. Are you actually driving foot traffic, or just paying for clicks that go nowhere? And with Google pushing new automation tools like "AI Max," it’s getting harder to know when to trust the algorithm and when to take manual control.

In this episode of the Surfside PPC Podcast, we cut through the noise to help you build a profitable local strategy—whether you’re a small business owner in a competitive market or a marketer managing client budgets.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "AI Max" Verdict: Is Google’s new "AI Max" a growth hack or a budget drain? We break down why it works for big budgets but can be dangerous for niche businesses (like dentists or luxury contractors) where clicks are expensive.
• The Consignment Shop Case Study: Proof that you don't need a massive budget to win. We break down how a single $4.00 click turned into a $900 sale by targeting the right "convenience" triggers.
• Connecting Clicks to Bricks: How to use Location Assets and Store Visit tracking to prove your ads are actually bringing people through your front door.
• The "Efficiency Audit": How to tell if you are truly the market leader, or if you're losing customers to competitors’ Local Service Ads (LSAs).

The 2026 Google Ads Course is Here!

We are launching our brand new, annual comprehensive course on February 11, 2026.

• Price: Just $34.99/year.

• What you get: Full access to the course plus all updates throughout the year.

• If you are a former student, you are grandfathered in for life!

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