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Is It Still Worth Using Google Ads in 2024? The Verdict

Google Ads first launched in 2000. Since then, the digital marketing world has spun at an incredible speed. If it was the Middle Ages when the ad platform first made its appearance, online marketing has already reached the present day some 24 years later. Yet despite the countless changes, the never-ending evolution, there has been…
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Google Ads first launched in 2000. Since then, the digital marketing world has spun at an incredible speed. If it was the Middle Ages when the ad platform first made its appearance, online marketing has already reached the present day some 24 years later.

Yet despite the countless changes, the never-ending evolution, there has been one constant: the importance of Google Ads.

However, is that the same situation as we enter 2024? Are Google Ads worth it any longer? Or are they due for the same virtual scrap heap as Myspace and buying email lists? This guide answers all this – and more – below!

Google: The World’s #1 Search Engine

When contemplating paid advertising on Google, one of the main factors is always going to be audience size. This isn’t something to worry about. Google is renowned for being the world’s biggest search engine. In fact, it is easy to undervalue just how dominant it is in this online search realm.

95.16%. That is Google’s worldwide market share for the mobile search engine market, based on November 2023 statistics.

That is a large chunk of the globe’s search audience. Plus, it could be even higher when you consider Google has minimal presence in China due to being partially blocked in the country. When you factor all of this together, there’s one result: a massive audience that could potentially see your Google paid ads.

Read more: How Google Makes Money

A Google Paid Ad Reaches the Right Audience

A Google paid advertising campaign is highly effective for multiple reasons. One of the biggest reasons is the ability for your content to be discovered by your exact audience – no matter how niche.

For example, say Letterboxd, the social review platform for film reviews, pays for Google Ads. Rather than go with general targeting like “movie reviews” and “best rated films”, they can opt for truly specific ads. When people Google “Cate Blanchett best films,” for instance, they could target this keyword for their brand to show up in searches.

Forget about the general population. With Google Ads, you can target potential customers actively searching for the content you produce.

No Budget Issues with Google Ads

How much is Google advertising? For those new to the land of paid ads, they can feel intimidated by the potential cost. This is the case if they look at high-performing keywords which sit at £10 or more per click. All it takes is a few clicks for your Google Ads payment to reach eye-watering heights, right?

Fortunately, you are given the power to stop campaigns from running out of control.

In fact, you can work with any budget when it comes to Google Ads. Have you only got £30 to spare on ads each month? No problem. You can set this as your budget, and Google will display your ads until all the money is spent – no unexpected bills here. Plus, if you’re savvy enough – hint, read our 10 Tips for Top Converting Google Ads – you can make even the smallest of budgets stretch far.

A daily ad spending graph over 30 days.
Image Source: support.google.com, September 2023

No Clicks, No Payment

Extending on from the previous point, you won’t be splashing any cash unless your ads are receiving clicks. This is the beauty of pay-per-click ads. If the ad copy is lacklustre or you’re targeting the wrong audience, it is unlikely you are going to be punished from a financial perspective.

Admittedly, a lack of clicks will make you wonder, ‘Do Google Ads really work?’ If you need help in that regard, make sure to read our guide on How to Improve Your AdWords Campaign. However, the ‘no clicks, no payment’ structure of Google Ads ensures you don’t have to worry about additional charges or fees.

Get Precise

Google AdWords, PPC, Bing – there’s no shortage of ad platforms for your business to use. All are valuable in their own way, but each one only truly works if you get it right with targeting. Fail to reach the right audience, and you’ll fail to generate worthwhile conversions.

Why Google Ads? Well, you get the precision you need with your targeting. You can zone in on specific keywords, yes, but that’s only the start. You are able to focus on audience segments, where demographics, location, habits, purchase intent, and other criteria can be covered. With the ability to be precise, you can ensure the right audience is reached with your ads.

Read more: Should You Use Geographic Targeting for Paid Campaigns?

Quick Results

Is Google Ads worth it? When you match it against other marketing tactics like SEO, there’s one aspect that is massively in its favour: speed and convenience. With SEO, you have to constantly think about Google Ranking updates, trends, and other parts to achieve success. Even with all that, you could be waiting several months before any real results are seen.

It’s a different story when running ad campaigns. Okay, it is wise to stay up-to-date with Google Ads news for any changes. Plus, you still have to work for results. Yet rather than wait months, even years for results, effective Google Ads take just a matter of days before you see a notable traffic boost.

Work Is Required

Are Google Ads worth it for small business marketing campaigns? Are Google Ads worth it for large organisations? The general answer is ‘Yes’ – but that’s only if the right strategy is implemented.

Ultimately, a lackadaisical campaign, one that makes too many missteps, will only see you hit a dead end. That’s an easy way to waste your marketing budget. One way to avoid that is with specialist paid social agency services. If you need assistance with ad campaigns across YouTube or other social channels, a specialist marketing agency can ensure everything is structured and fine-tuned the right way.

Read more: Which Social Media Platforms Drive the Most Conversions?

Is Google AdWords Worth It in 2024? The Verdict

So, the big question. Is it worth using Google Ads in 2024? The answer: 100% yes. Get your ad campaign right, and you can enjoy a significant traffic and conversion boost – all within a relatively short timeframe.

Do you need help in getting your campaigns ‘right’? To ensure you get the best results from your Google Ads investment, it is recommended to work with a professional PPC agency. With our expertise and experience, you can start generating the clicks that take your business to the next level!

James Owen, Co-Founder & Head Of Search

James has been involved in SEO and digital marketing projects since 2007. James has led many SEO projects for well-known brands in Travel, Gaming and Retail such as Jackpotjoy, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels, Hotels.com, Expedia, Betway, Gumtree, 888, Ax Paris, Ebyuer, Ebay, Hotels combined, Smyths toys, love honey and Pearson to name a few. James has also been a speaker at SEO and digital marketing conferences and events such as Brighton SEO.

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