Running Google Ads can feel like throwing money into a digital bonfire, especially when you’re not sure what went wrong. If you’ve ever launched a campaign, watched your budget vanish, and thought, “Google Ads just doesn’t work for me,” you’re not alone. The truth? Most campaigns fail because of a few common Google Ads mistakes, not because the platform itself doesn’t work.
The good news? Every mistake on this list is 100% fixable.
Let’s break down the top 7 mistakes people make with Google Ads and how to avoid them so you can start getting real results.
1. Wrong Keyword Targeting
Let’s start with the biggest money-waster.
Many new advertisers pick keywords that sound right… but are either way too broad or completely unrelated to what their customers are actually searching.
Example: If you’re a dog groomer in Chicago and you’re targeting “dogs” as a keyword… well, prepare to attract people researching breeds, dog memes, or buying leashes in Australia.
Fix it:
- Use long-tail keywords (e.g. “mobile dog grooming Chicago”)
- Avoid single-word keywords
- Use Google’s Keyword Planner to research intent, not just volume
2. No Conversion Tracking
Imagine running a bakery but never checking which pastries are actually selling. That’s what it’s like running Google Ads without conversion tracking.
If you’re not tracking actions like purchases, form submissions, or phone calls, you’re basically flying blind.
Fix it:
Set up Google Tag Manager or use Google’s conversion tools. If you’re sending traffic to a website, tracking conversions is not optional, it’s critical for optimizing performance.
3. Broad Match Disaster
Broad match sounds friendly! It promises “lots of impressions.” But what it really does is throw your ad in front of people who are kind of, maybe, possibly not at all interested in your offer.
Example: If you’re targeting “men’s shoes,” broad match might serve your ad to someone searching “how to fix a squeaky shoe.”
Not helpful. At all!
Fix it:
Start with Phrase Match and Exact Match for more control. And always review your Search Terms Report to see what people are actually typing before clicking.
4. Bad Landing Pages
Even the best ad in the world can’t save a landing page that looks like it was built in 2007 by your cousin Timmy.
- Pages that load too slowly
- No clear CTA
- Cluttered design
- No mobile optimization
These things tank your conversion rate faster than you can say “bounce rate.”
Fix it:
- Make your landing page fast, focused, and mobile-friendly
- Match the message of your ad
- Use a single clear call-to-action (not 12 buttons competing for attention)
5. Budget Burnout
A lot of people set a daily budget, click “launch,” and hope for the best. The result? Budget gone in 24 hours with nothing to show for it.
Fix it:
- Start small, test everything
- Don’t just track clicks! Track what actually leads to conversions
- Use ad scheduling to avoid wasting money when your audience isn’t online
Bonus tip: You don’t have to outspend your competitors—you just have to outsmart them.
6. Confusing Campaign Structures
When everything is lumped into one ad group, it becomes impossible to know what’s working and what’s not. This makes optimization a nightmare.
Fix it:
Use a clean structure:
- Separate campaigns by product or service category
- Use tightly themed ad groups
- Create tailored ads for each group
Think of it like organizing your closet. Easier to find the good stuff when it’s not all in a heap.
7. Unrealistic Expectations
Google Ads can drive amazing results, but it’s not a genie in a laptop. Expecting instant profits without testing, tweaking, and learning is the fastest path to disappointment.
Fix it:
Give yourself time to learn and optimize. Run experiments. Understand your data. The first few weeks are about collecting insights, not expecting miracles.
Soft Mention: I Manage Google Ads Campaigns
Google Ads can be complex, overwhelming, and a bit of a time-suck. If you’ve been burned before or just want to do it right from the start, I can help.
I manage Google Ads campaigns for businesses, freelancers, creators and musicians who want smart results without the guesswork (or the stress).
Final Thoughts
Every single one of these Google Ads mistakes is avoidable and they don’t make you bad at marketing. They just mean you need the right strategy, structure, and support.
The key is knowing what not to do, and then building your campaigns with clarity, precision, and goals that actually make sense.
Don’t worry, it’s fixable.
In the next post, we’ll show you exactly what a good campaign looks like—and how to build one from the ground up.
Or if you’re ready to skip the learning curve and let someone else handle the heavy lifting let’s talk about managing your Google Ads the right way.