Search ads refer to advertisements that appear on search engine results pages (SERPs) in response to a user’s search query. These ads are typically displayed at the top or bottom of the search results and are marked as “sponsored” or “ad.” Search ads are created and managed through online advertising platforms such as Google Ads (formerly known as Google AdWords) or Bing Ads.
Key features of search ads include:
1. Keyword Targeting: Advertisers select specific keywords relevant to their products or services. When users search for those keywords, the ads may appear if the advertiser has bid on those terms.
2. Ad Copy: Advertisers create compelling ad copy that entices users to click on the ad. This includes headlines, descriptions, and ad extensions like sitelinks or callouts.
3. Bidding: Advertisers set bids for their ads based on how much they are willing to pay for each click (cost-per-click or CPC) or for a specific action (cost-per-acquisition or CPA).
4. Ad Rank: Search engines use a combination of bid amount, ad quality, and expected click-through rate (CTR) to determine ad placement on the SERP. Ad rank determines whether and where an ad appears.
5. Performance Tracking: Advertisers track the performance of their search ads through metrics such as impressions, clicks, click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on investment (ROI).
Search ads are an effective way for businesses to reach users actively searching for products or services related to their offerings, driving targeted traffic to their websites and increasing potential conversions.