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Writer's pictureJennifer Paine

Save on Google Ad Costs! How Your Google Ads Quality Score is Like Your Credit Score

Updated: Sep 30

If you’ve ever run a Google Ads campaign, you know that managing costs is key to staying competitive and profitable. But what if I told you that your Quality Score in Google Ads functions much like your credit score when it comes to determining not just the cost per click (CPC), but also the overall success of your campaigns? Much like how a higher credit score can get you lower interest rates and better loan terms, a high Quality Score can bring significant benefits to your Google Ads campaigns, including lower CPC and better ad placements.


Clip art of a person pushing a needle on a good to poor credit score meter.  How Google Quality Score is like a credit score.

IN THIS POST:


We'll dive into the parallels between your Google Ads Quality Score and a credit score, and explore why optimizing this score is crucial for your ad performance.


What is Google Ads Quality Score?


Before jumping into the analogy, let’s break down what Quality Score is. In simple terms, Google Ads assigns a Quality Score (QS) to your ads based on three primary factors:


1. Expected Click-Through Rate (CTR):

How likely your ad is to be clicked when shown, compared to other ads.


2. Ad Relevance:

How relevant your ad copy is to the keyword being searched.


3. Landing Page Experience:

The relevance and usability of the landing page you're sending users to after they click your ad.


Each of these factors is rated as above average, average, or below average, and Google combines them to assign an overall Quality Score between 1 and 10. A higher score indicates a better-performing ad in Google's eyes.


Quality Score and Credit Score:


Now, let’s explore how Google Ads Quality Score is similar to a credit score. Both function as a measure of “trustworthiness” in their respective fields. A credit score measures your reliability when it comes to managing debt and paying bills on time. Similarly, your Quality Score reflects how well your ads are likely to perform, based on historical data.


Google Ads Cost Efficiency:


Just like how a better credit score can earn you lower interest rates on loans, a higher Quality Score can lead to a lower cost per click (CPC) for your ads. Google wants to reward advertisers who create ads that provide value to users. If your ads have a high QS, Google sees you as a valuable partner, and you’ll pay less for each click.


On the flip side, if your credit score is low, you’ll likely face higher interest rates on loans or credit cards. Similarly, if your Quality Score is low, Google will make you pay more for each click in order to appear in a competitive position on search results.


Ad Placement or Ad Rank:


Your credit score not only influences your ability to borrow money but also what kind of credit products you qualify to purchase.  Similarly, your Quality Score directly impacts your Ad Rank, which determines where your ads appear on the search results page. A higher Quality Score can help you achieve a better ad position, often without increasing your bids.


This is similar to how someone with a high credit score might be able to secure premium credit cards with better perks or more attractive loan terms or be able to buy a non-essential item on credit like a boat or motorcycle.  In the world of Google Ads, a higher Quality Score means you’ll get more visibility and better placements.


Long-Term Benefits:


Your credit score is built over time based on your financial habits. If you consistently make payments on time and keep your credit utilization low, your score improves. Google Ads Quality Score works similarly. By consistently optimizing your ads, refining your landing pages, and focusing on relevance, your score improves over time.


Both your credit score and your Quality Score require long-term strategies for improvement. Quick fixes rarely yield lasting results. For Google Ads, this means constantly working to improve ad relevance, keywords, and the landing page experience.


How to Improve Your Google Ads Quality Score:


Just as you can take steps to improve your credit score, you can work to boost your Quality Score. Here’s how:


1. Improve CTR with Better Ad Copy: 

   Write compelling, engaging ad copy that encourages users to click. Think about what would grab their attention and offer them real value.


2. Enhance Ad Relevance: 

   Use highly targeted keywords that match the intent of the search queries you're bidding on. If your ad copy is closely related to what users are searching for, you’ll boost your ad relevance score.


3. Optimize Landing Pages: 

   Ensure that your landing pages provide a seamless experience. They should be fast, mobile-friendly, and directly related to your ad content. The easier it is for users to find what they’re looking for, the better your landing page experience will be rated.


As an example:  


You run an ad that states:  “Best Pricing of the Year On All In-Stock Bed Pillows at ABC Beds”


You link the landing page to the Homepage of ABC Beds.  On the homepage, the primary focus is on different types of mattresses, frames and box springs, with little (if any emphasis) on pillows. The user wanted to learn more about the pillow sale but saw nothing relating to pillows.  They leave.  


VS. 


A landing page that talks about the pillow sale.  Has examples and descriptions of your pillows.  Talks about and shows the sale examples.  Links seamlessly to your pillow inventory.

 


4. A/B Testing and Analytics: 

   Regularly run A/B tests to determine what’s working and what isn’t. Use the data from your campaigns to continuously refine and optimize both your ads and your landing pages.



How Soma Marketing Can Help….


Much like a credit score influences your financial future, your Google Ads Quality Score affects the success and cost-effectiveness of your digital advertising efforts. By treating your Quality Score with the same care you would give to maintaining a good credit score, you can save money, get better ad placements, and ultimately, run more successful campaigns. 


At Soma Marketing, we specialize in helping small business owners optimize their Google Ads campaigns by focusing on improving Quality Scores. We’re a small business ourselves, so we understand that every cent matters. We know the struggles of stretching a marketing budget and getting the most out of each dollar spent. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping fellow small businesses lower their overall ad spend while maximizing their visibility and performance.


Let us help you build a stronger foundation, just like we would for our own business.




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