8 Google Ads Examples: Proven Campaigns + Why They Work

We know Google reigns supreme. The same goes for paid search campaigns. Here are eight stellar Google Ads examples — and pro tips to ensure yours stand out from the rest.

Here, you’ll find:

• Google Ads benefits
• What makes a successful Google Ad
• Mistakes to avoid with your Google Ad campaigns
• Google Ads examples that work

Millions of people spend their time searching, shopping, and making purchases on the web. But if they don’t see your products or services, you’re missing out on a big chunk of the market.

One thing every business can use is more eyes on their products and services. And one of the best ways to achieve this is using digital advertising. 

Using Google Ads to build visibility and clicks to your website makes sense. It places your products and services at the top of other results to increase awareness. However, if you run campaigns wrong, it can lead to wasted ad spend on irrelevant clicks from irrelevant audiences. 

So let’s explore what makes a good Google Ad and get inspired by some stellar Google Ads examples. 

What makes a Google Ad stand out (and get clicks)?

It’s not enough to create ads, upload them to campaigns, and wait for clicks. It takes careful analysis, campaign optimization, and testing to make ads work.

Here’s what every Google ad should have (across all ad networks) based on insights from Rachel Corak, associate director of search engine marketing at HawkSEM:

• Adding compelling search ad headlines and calls to action (CTAs)
• Using search ad extensions like site link extensions and call extensions to drive clicks, callout extensions to provide further context and links, promo extensions to share deals, and image extensions to enhance the ad experience
• Creating shopping ads using Google Merchant Center (GMC) promotions to entice purchases, adding product reviews, and optimizing product feed attributes (e.g., titles, descriptions, images)
• Including compelling images, text overlays, and strong CTAs for Display ads
• Developing engaging video content with strong CTAs for YouTube ads

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it points you in the right direction to make a killer ad. 

Pro rip: Use Performance Max campaigns’ machine learning and automation to improve your ad spend and performance. Leverage its insights to make data-driven decisions to refine your ad creatives and keyword selection.

8 Google Ads examples that do it right

If you browse the web daily (like most of us do), you’ll find plenty of Google Ads examples across Google search, YouTube, and Display networks. 

But not all examples are good ones.

Through our years of experience both working with clients and researching paid search campaigns,  we gathered some of the best examples to show what it takes to create effective Google Ads.

Google text ads examples

Google Search Ads appear in the results of relevant search queries, blending in with other organic listings. Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s a good thing. People trust Google to provide high quality, authoritative content, so whatever’s at the top is the most likely to get clicked.

Here are two click-worthy Google Search ad examples. 

1. Bright + Early

Let’s review what makes this ad clickable for the right target audience:

• Clear value proposition: “Say Goodbye to Turnover – HR That’s True To Your Culture.”
• Relevance to the target audience: Customizing HR programs to unique company culture
• Appeals to modern HR thinking: Building creative, inclusive programs
• Benefit-oriented language: Focuses on positive outcomes and solutions
• Concise and engaging: Captures attention with short, impactful sentences
• Implicit call-to-action: Encourages the audience to learn more by clicking the ad
• Proper extensions: Including image extension and site links

2. ClickUp

Here’s why this Google search ad works:

• Branding: Effectively showcases the brand name “ClickUp” multiple times, ensuring brand recognition and recall
• Clear value proposition: Emphasizes ClickUp as the “Simple and Powerful – The Ultimate Productivity Tool.” — this clearly communicates the primary benefit of using the product
• Social proof: Includes the impressive number “800,000+ Teams” to highlight popularity and trustworthiness 
• Free plan: Mentioning the “Free Forever Plan” in the ad is a great way to attract users who want to try the product before committing
• Feature highlights: Touches on the versatility of ClickUp by mentioning its ability to “Manage Tasks, Docs, Goals, And Projects” and having “Features For Everything”
• Personal AI-powered assistant: “Your Personal AI-Powered Assistant” appeals to users who seek tools that can enhance their productivity and efficiency
• Enterprise solution: The ad positions the product as suitable for both individual users and large organizations
• Call-to-action: The ad includes a clear CTA by encouraging users to “See All The Features”

Display Ads examples

Display Ads appear on websites within the Google Display Network (GDN). They’re less noticeable, especially if you’re tuned into the content you’re reading. However, they’re dynamic and, if designed correctly, can capture the attention of target audiences. 

Take, for example, MongoDB Atlas’s ad, which has a bright green box that features its promise: “Get your ideas to market faster.”

3. MongoDB Atlanta

• Clear and aspirational message: Starts with a simple and aspirational message, “Dream it. Build it. Deploy it. Let’s build the next big thing”
• Benefit-oriented language: Focuses on the benefits of using MongoDB Atlas, such as getting ideas to market faster and building with the industry’s first developer data platform
• Call-to-action: Includes a clear call-to-action by inviting users to “Try MongoDB Atlas for free” and “Visit Site”
• Concise and impactful: Conveys its message using concise phrases, making it easy for viewers to grasp the key points quickly
• Focus on developers: Mention of the “DEVELOPER DATA PLATFORM” suggests that MongoDB Atlas is specifically geared towards developers, indicating a targeted approach to a particular audience

4. GoDaddy

When your brand is this big, you don’t have to go all out with your ad design and copy. So its focus is straight to the point and uses visuals to deliver the message. 

Here’s an overview of what makes this ad work:

• Clear and direct message: Delivers a clear and direct message, encouraging users to “Share your idea with the world” and “Get yourself a website”
• Personalized domain: Features a specific domain name, “mylens.in,” which adds a personalized touch
• Benefit-oriented offer: Highlights the benefits of choosing GoDaddy’s web hosting service, including a “Free SSL,” “Free Domain & Email,” “24/7 Dedicated Support,” and “Unlimited Bandwidth”
• Urgency: Includes the phrase “SHOP NOW,” which adds a sense of urgency and encourages users to act promptly — urgency can be an effective motivator for increasing click-through rates
• Eye-catching design: While the ad’s design was not described in detail, a visually appealing design with eye-catching colors and layout can significantly impact its effectiveness

YouTube Video Ads examples

YouTube video ads is one of the more noticeable types of advertising on the web. Some allow you to skip after a few seconds, while others require you to watch the whole ad before you can return to your scheduled programming. 

Annoying to some? Yes. Effective? Also yes. If you’re like many, you found some video ads irresistible and timely. 

Here’s one you might’ve seen while enjoying YouTube clips. 

5. Grammarly Business

This particular ad promotes Grammarly’s new feature called Knowledge Share, which allows business account users to use external systems like Google Drive to share documents. 

Here’s what makes this video ad stand out:

• Pain point is on point: Not your typical Grammarly spell-checking advertisement — it has a unique pain point as the focus of this ad: ridding organizations of data silos with its Knowledge Share feature.
• Adds the human touch: Rather than relying on text on the screen or a voiceover, it features a woman throughout the ad, guiding viewers through the new feature and its benefits (another product-led approach)
• Real-life example: Showcasing a real-life example of how the feature will function and add value, so viewers can envision themselves using (and benefiting from) it.
• Engaging graphics: Throughout the ad, you see visuals of the platform and a person speaking, which also includes graphics to keep the ad eye-catching.

6. Adobe

This example works because it feels less sales-y and allows users to envision themselves also using the platform. Here’s what makes this ad work:

• Solves specific problem: Homes in on helping users make a big impression, which signals that its aim is to help you wow those viewing your presentations. 
• Shares feature and benefits: In the ad, you can see that Adobe Acrobat Pro allows you to convert documents into PDF
• Mini how-to: This ad not only tells you what it can do, but walks you through the steps of how to convert your documents into a PDF seamlessly with its software
• Short and sweet: Adobe’s ad does a lot in a short amount of time — 15 seconds, which is perfect for those with short attention spans and patience
• Makes an irresistible offer: Who doesn’t like free? Adobe knows this which is why it’s offer in the end is to give its platform a test run…for free

Google Play Ads examples

7. Toshl

The ads here are unique, since they must win over your trust in a sea of millions of apps. Here’s how they do it:

• Concise and informative: The ad clearly states the app’s name and what it does: “Toshl Finance – budget manager,” which is to help users set and stick to their budgets
• Strong value proposition: Highlights a compelling value proposition by mentioning “Your banks in one place,” suggesting that users can manage multiple bank accounts within the app, streamlining their financial management
• Positive ratings and reviews: The inclusion of the app’s rating, 4.3 star rating, and the number of reviews, “30T reviews,” provides social proof of the app’s quality and popularity
• High number of downloads: Mentioning “17L+ Downloads” showcases the app’s popularity and success, further reinforcing its credibility
• App size information: Providing the app size (“54 MB”) can be helpful for users who are concerned about their device’s storage capacity
• Clear call-to-action: The ad includes a direct and actionable call-to-action: “Install app.” This guides users to take the desired action of installing the app
• Relevant app category: The ad is likely displayed to users interested in personal finance, budgeting, and financial management apps, making it relevant to the target audience

8. DoorDash

On the other hand, they’ve got plenty of brand recognition — it’s likely you or someone you know has used “DoorDash” as a verb in the past.

Because of these factors, they don’t mess around. The company’s ads assume you’re hungry and searching for food delivery, so they get right to the point. Here’s how:

• Clear and direct message: “Get Groceries Delivered to your Door” and “DoorDash – Food Delivery” — these messages communicate the primary service offered, which is delivering groceries and food to users’ doors
• Strong social proof: The ad prominently displays the app’s impressive rating, “4.6 stars,” along with a high number of reviews
• Mobile app category: Targets users interested in food delivery and convenience, making it relevant to the app’s target audience
• Mobile-friendly: The content is concise and easy to read on mobile devices, which is crucial for a successful display ad on platforms like Google Play
• Trustworthy service: By offering grocery delivery along with food delivery, the ad expands DoorDash’s appeal and portrays it as a convenient and reliable option for users’ daily needs

What are the benefits of Google Ads?

This answer depends on who you ask. The goals behind a Google Ads campaign differ from business to business. However, most may agree that the following four advantages are what makes Google Ads a worthwhile investment:

1. Increased reach: Google’s massive audience of searchers means you’ll have a much larger pool of potential customers. It’s the most prominent search engine on the web, so it’s where you want your ecommerce or services brand to be for high visibility. 
2. Enhanced targeting options: Google Ads gives you full control over who sees your ads. If you know exactly who your target audience is, then you can use its targeting capabilities to reach them with your ads. For example, you can target users based on location, demographics, and whether they’re in the market for your particular product/service (based on their search behaviors).
3. Measurable results and valuable insights: There’s no shooting arrows in the dark with Google Ads. You get access to a range of data points about your audience and campaigns to guide future decisions, like which search terms to continue or remove or which areas to run ads in.
4. Control ad costs: You decide how much you want to spend on each campaign. For instance, you set your daily spending limits to prevent Google Ads overspend. 

Common mistakes businesses make with Google Ads

Some brand owners choose to build and maintain their own PPC ad campaigns, only to find the results are mediocre or non-existent. Many times, it’s due to common mishaps made by amateurs new to Google Ads campaigns. 

Here’s a look at the top mistakes businesses make with their PPC campaigns, according to Corak:

• Not designing compelling ad creatives, CTAs, and copy to entice clicks and sales
• Targeting the wrong audiences in your campaigns
• Implementing the wrong bidding strategies (e.g., “Maximize Clicks” strategy that focuses on getting as many clicks as possible, regardless of their quality)
• Not setting up conversion tracking properly to monitor the well-being of campaigns
• Overlooking the importance of A/B testing ads to see which ad creatives and copy convert the best
• Not testing new strategies long enough to gather enough data to inform whether to continue or try something else
• Opting into too many auto apply recommendations from Google, which can hurt campaign targeting, customization, and overall outcomes 
• Not using a variety of keyword match types to capture searchers’ queries and intent
• Not segmenting campaigns thoroughly to capture highly-targeted, qualified audiences
• Neglecting to add negative keywords to ad groups to prevent irrelevant clicks (especially for Google Shopping Ads)
• Having Display Network opted into search campaigns, which has a different (broader) user intents
• Not using placement exclusions to prevent ads from being served on irrelevant websites
• Not creating a relevant, compelling landing page designed and written with conversions in mind (unique selling point and copywriting that speaks to a specific target audience)

Avoid these and you could see better results and ROI for your Google Ad campaigns. But you’ll need a solid strategy to make that happen. 

Pro tip: A/B test your campaigns to find relevant keywords and ad copy that convert best. If one iteration doesn’t work, then test a different ad until you find what does. 

The takeaway

Building your brand’s visibility and sales shouldn’t cost you negative ROI in advertising. All you need is the right strategy and execution to get the results you seek. 

Let the above Google Ads examples inspire you to create dynamic, targeted paid search campaigns that’ll get impressions, clicks, and lead to more business.