Advertise on podcast: The Paid Search Podcast | A Weekly Podcast About Google Ads and Online Marketing

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer, one of the top Google Ads managers in the world, gives three examples of unique PPC mysteries that are from real campaigns that experienced dramatic performance drops. It is our job to figure out the reason for the change! This is a unique way to test your Google Ads problem solving skills and learn how to diagnose problems in PPC campaigns. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Get your free assessment - https://www.silverarbitration.com/PSP Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer, one of the top Google Ads managers in the world, breaks down how to separate confusing campaign "noise" from actual underlying problems. Chris tackles five of the most common headaches advertisers face—from spam leads and runaway budgets to zero clicks. You'll learn why exact match keywords and tight bid strategies might be stifling your momentum, along with practical copy adjustments to stop unqualified traffic. Stop chasing symptoms and start diagnosing what’s really breaking your Google Ads campaigns. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer (the best Google Ads manager in the world) breaks down how Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) actually work and why a "Poor" Ad Strength rating directly causes higher CPCs, fewer impressions, and lower search positions. We uncover three massive misconceptions search marketers make, including why RSAs optimize for clicks instead of conversions, why Dynamic Keyword Insertion isn't a magic shortcut for asset diversity, and why writing throwaway headlines backfires when Google only displays two lines. Plus, we explore a real-world audit example where bad ad copy triggered a costly feedback loop targeting job seekers instead of clients. To wrap up, Chris Schaeffer reveals his exact formula for structuring ad copy: a headline-pinning framework that locks in your core message while letting machine learning test your supporting features, benefits, CTAs, and trust factors. Tune in to stop wasting budget and start driving the right clicks! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Chris Schaeffer, one of the best Google Ads managers in the world, breaks down semantic intent in this episode—exposing how Google attempts to read the minds of both you and the searcher by matching underlying goals rather than literal words. If your high-ticket whole-house filter ads are triggering on DIY searches or cheap plastic pitchers, Google's natural language processing is to blame. We unpack how this guessing game wastes ad spend across Broad, Phrase, and Exact match types, revealing the hidden traps of close variants, inflated CPCs, and plummeting Quality Scores. You'll get actionable strategies to stop Google's assumptions from draining your campaign budgets. We highlight the six primary victims hit hardest by semantic intent, including high-ticket service providers, low-budget accounts, and niche industries that Google fails to comprehend. Tune in to discover where semantic intent is misinterpreting your target audience and learn how to defend your spend using smarter keyword strategies and negative keyword control. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Thinking about bidding on your rival’s brand name? It sounds like an aggressive, high-reward growth strategy: bid on a competitor’s name or trademarked product, show up at the top of the page, and offer a compelling alternative to pull high-intent buyers away from the competition. While Google Ads policy permits this strategy at the keyword level, the financial reality behind these campaigns tells a completely different story. In this episode, Chris Schaeffer tears down the myth of "conquesting" and explains why these efforts are better labeled vanity campaigns or kamikaze bidding—strategies that burn your budget just to feed an ego. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Learn how value based bidding can be used to improved the quality of your leads. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer discusses how offline conversion tracking works and how you can get setup for this kind of bidding strategy. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Guest host Joey Bidner discusses the huge changes in the Google Ads Merchant Center that have recently been released. If you are an e-commerce advertiser looking to get more out of your shopping and Performance Max campaigns this is an important announcement that you need to hear! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/  Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

How long does it take to be successful in Google Ads? Today Chris Schaeffer discusses the major number and the one factor that can either slow that process down or speed it up. Reaching success in Google is not guaranteed but with this simple rule you will have a better chance at success! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

I've spent nearly 2,000 hours teaching and coaching people all around the world how to build, optimize, and manage their Google Ads accounts. These are the eight things I've learned after speaking to people that need help with their accounts. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

I tried ChatGPT Ads! Let's talk about the differences between Google Ads and ads on ChatGPT, where the advantages of each are, and what the future made hold for both marketing networks. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners about Google Ads. The topics include how to deal with high CPCs, how call reports work in Google Ads, Performance Max vs Search, and Limited by Budget questions. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

In this episode of the Paid Search Podcast, Chris Schaeffer shares the framework he uses to help businesses get the most from their Google Ads campaigns. Learn why ownership of your Google Ads account, website, and tracking assets matters, how to set goals that lead to long-term success, and why your budget should follow business value—not search volume.  Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris also covers the four phases of campaign success, what to expect in your first 90 days, and how to become a better partner to your PPC manager by asking the right questions and providing the feedback that matters. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Google is changing TCPA bidding and this will affect everyone! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Joey Bidner guest hosts this week's podcast and explains what changes are coming with bidding and why it has so many people upset. Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/ Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Google just made one of the biggest Search Partner Network changes in years… but is it actually useful? Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp For the first time, Google Ads advertisers can see which Search Partner sites are displaying their ads in Search, Shopping, and App campaigns. After more than 20 years of treating Search Partners as a black box, Google has finally added placement reporting. So why am I still frustrated? In this episode, Chris Schaeffer breaks down exactly what Google’s new reporting includes, what it leaves out, and why this update is both a step forward and a major missed opportunity. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

Google Ads is hiding more and more search term data, and it’s becoming a serious problem for advertisers. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp In this episode, Chris Schaeffer explains why search terms—not keywords—are the foundation of successful Google Ads management, why Google’s increasing lack of transparency matters, and what you can do to protect your campaigns. You’ll learn: * The critical difference between keywords and search terms * Why search terms are the first step in measuring paid search quality * How hidden search terms make optimization more difficult * Why less visibility leads to more wasted ad spend * How this shift especially impacts small advertisers * Why transparency has always been one of Google Search’s biggest advantages * How broad match negative keywords can help reduce unwanted traffic Google Ads wasn’t built on showing ads to people who might be interested. It became the world’s most powerful advertising platform because it reached people at the exact moment they were searching for a product or service. That’s why understanding what people actually searched is so important. Your keywords are only what you tell Google to target. Your search terms reveal where your advertising dollars are really going. If Google continues hiding that information, advertisers lose one of the most valuable tools they have for improving performance and holding the platform accountable. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment