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Video Summary
Google Ads is everywhere—on Google search, YouTube, and even on your favorite websites. It’s how businesses get their name out there, showing up right when people are looking for what they offer. You know those results labeled ‘Sponsored’ when you search for something? Yep, that’s Google Ads!
In this video, we’re breaking down Google Ads in the simplest way possible—what it is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re new to digital marketing or just curious about those ads you see on Google and YouTube, this beginner-friendly guide will help you understand the basics and how to get started.
Video Transcript
Hey, it’s Jeffrey Kirk here. Let me ask you something—have you ever searched for something on Google and noticed the first few results are labeled “Ad” or “Sponsored”? These top spots aren’t there by chance. That’s Google Ads at work—and when used right, it can be one of the most powerful ways to grow a business.
So whether you’re just curious, brand new to digital marketing, or you’ve tried ads before and didn’t quite get results… stick around. Today, I’m going to walk you through what Google Ads actually is, how it works, and why so many successful businesses rely on Google Ads to bring in more leads, more customers, and more revenue. So, let’s break it down.
First—what exactly is Google Ads?
Think of it like renting a digital billboard—but instead of showing up for everyone driving down the highway, your ad only shows up to people who are actively searching for what you offer.
If someone searches for something like “emergency plumber near me,” and your business is running Google Ads for that keyword, then boom—your ad could show up right at the top. And the best part? You’re not paying for impressions—you’re only paying when someone actually clicks. That’s what makes it so targeted and efficient.
Now, here’s how Google Ads actually works behind the scenes.
When you set up a campaign, you pick specific keywords—those are the search terms people might use when looking for what you offer. For example, if you own a bakery, you might target things like “custom birthday cakes” or “best cupcakes in Milwaukee.”
Then, you set a budget. That’s how much you’re willing to spend per day or per click. And this is where Google Ads shines—it runs on a pay-per-click model. You’re only charged when someone clicks your ad. Not when they see it—only when they engage. And here’s where it gets even more interesting.
Every time someone searches for one of your keywords, Google runs a live auction—yes, in real time—to decide which ads to show and in what order. But it’s not just about who bids the most. Google also looks at how relevant and how high-quality your ad is. That includes your ad copy, how closely it matches the search, and even how useful your landing page is once someone clicks.
So, if you’ve got a compelling ad and a strong, helpful website behind it, you could actually pay less and rank higher than a competitor who’s just throwing money at it. That’s why strategy matters.
Types of Google Ads
Now let’s talk about the different types of Google Ads, because it’s not all just search results.
First, you’ve got the normal Search Ads. These are the text ads you see at the top of the Google search page—perfect for businesses that want to show up when someone is actively looking for something specific.
Next are Display Ads. These are image-based ads that appear on websites across Google’s Display Network. They’re great for brand awareness or reaching people who might not be searching yet—but are still a good match for your services.
Then there are Video Ads. If you’ve ever seen a video ad on YouTube, that’s Google Ads in action again. These are especially powerful for visually-driven products or brands with a strong story to tell.
You’ve also got Shopping Ads, which are perfect for e‑commerce. These show up with product images, prices, and links—right in the search results. It’s like having a digital storefront that appears the moment someone searches.
And finally, App Ads. If you have a mobile app, you can promote it across Google Play, YouTube, and even inside other apps.
Why is Google Ads such a big deal for businesses?
Well, here’s why it works—it’s fast. First, you get instant visibility. With SEO, you can spend months trying to rank organically. Google Ads can put you on page one today.
Second, it’s incredibly targeted. You can control who sees your ad—based on their location, interests, age, even the time of day. Third, you’ve got full budget control. Whether you’re spending five dollars a day or five hundred, you’re always in the driver’s seat.
Fourth, everything is measurable. You know how many clicks you’re getting, how much you’re spending, and what’s actually converting into business. That means you can adjust and improve over time.
And finally—it works for just about any kind of business. Local shops, online stores, service providers… you name it. If your customers use Google—and let’s face it, they do—Google Ads can help you reach them.
How To Get Started
It’s simpler than you might think. First, go to ads.google.com and create a free account. Next, choose your goal—do you want more website visits, more phone calls, more foot traffic? Google will guide you through it. Then, pick your keywords, set your daily budget, and launch your first ad. That’s it. You’re live.
Now, is it as easy as “set it and forget it”? No! Not quite. Successful campaigns take some testing.
You’ll need to write great ad copy, choose the right keywords, and tweak your targeting over time. But here’s the good news—you don’t need a massive budget to see results. You just need a strategy. Part of that strategy could be hiring my company to manage your online visibility including your Google Ads. That’s something we do here at Up At Dawn.
If you’re not ready for that step, don’t worry, but maybe you want to dive a little deeper into the best ways to use PPC for your business, I’ve put together a free PPC Strategies Checklist that walks you through the essentials—keywords, targeting, bidding, and more. You can grab it at upatdawn.biz/10ppc.
If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and let me know in the comments what topics you want me to cover next.
Your business deserves to be seen online, and I will help you get there. Thanks for watching, and have a great day!
