Podcasts about microsoft ads

-Jeff Coleman has been running Google Ads campaigns since 2004, back when clicks cost 25 cents and keywords were king. In this episode, Jeff breaks down exactly how search advertising has changed, what most campaigns are getting wrong right now, and the proven approach his team uses to build consistent lead engines for service businesses. If you are spending money on Google Ads or thinking about it, this one will save you a lot of wasted budget. What We Cover: - Why persona research matters more than keyword research before you ever launch - How to use AI to pull out what your existing customers actually value about your business - The messaging shift that lifted one client's click-through rate by 2-3% and conversion rate by 6-7% - Why Google's "exact match" is not what it used to be and how to protect your budget Negative keywords: why top campaigns have 1,000+ and what happens when you skip this step - The conversion tracking mistake that trains Google to send you the wrong leads - A/B testing timelines, how many ad variants to run, and when you have enough data - Landing page fundamentals that move conversion rates - How to scale Google Ads spend without destroying your cost per lead - Google vs. Microsoft Ads and when each makes sense - Real benchmarks: click-through rates, cost per lead, and landing page conversion rates for 2026 Connect with Jeff Coleman: Website: factorfour.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcoleman21/ Connect with Digital Niche Agency: Website: www.digitalnicheagency.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-niche-agency/ Subscribe to Test. Optimize. Scale. for weekly conversations on growth marketing, business strategy, and what is actually working right now.

“PPC doesn't stand for pay-per-click anymore… it stands for ‘please, please convert.'” Welcome to another practical and insight-packed episode of eCom@One with Richard Hill! In this episode, Richard hands the mic to two of our PPC pros, Alex and Eleasha, for a deep dive into what's working right now in paid search for eCommerce brands. Drawing on years of hands-on experience across B2B and B2C accounts, they share actionable strategies on feed optimisation, campaign structuring, landing page testing and how to scale past revenue plateaus. Whether you're running campaigns in-house, working with an agency, or just looking to squeeze more performance from your PPC spend, this episode is loaded with expert takeaways, plus why channels like Microsoft Ads might be your next secret weapon. Hit subscribe and get ready for a conversation that gets right to the heart of driving better returns and smarter growth in eCommerce PPC. Time stamps:  00:00 Paid search tips for eCommerce 03:38 Starting out in the marketing field 07:35 Social media and branding strategy 10:23 Appealing to a younger market 13:27 Exploring diverse marketing roles 18:35 Optimising ad campaigns for profit 21:53 Changing product IDs impact feeds 23:48 Optimising Microsoft Ads Strategies 27:56 Trying Microsoft Ads for clients 31:57 Testing landing page effectiveness 32:46 Hitting the 3 million milestone 36:50 Book recommendation: Good Vibes, Good Life

This week Chris Schaeffer a Google Ads expert manager and consultant discusses the state of Google Ads in 2026. There are a lot of things that have changed and these topics are weighing heavy on today's advertisers. Let's talk about the wide diversity in today's google ppc ads.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

It's sad but true. People lie. Companies lie. And there are real victims. Google Ads expert Chris Schaeffer discusses 9 ways that Google Ads experts lie to their clients and how you can spot those scams to avoid being a victim.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

If you had to build a business that would be more likely to succeed in Google Ads what would it look like? Well that's the topic of this week's show. Chris Schaeffer discusses 3 ways to make a brand new campaign succeed in Google Ads using unique strategies and tactics that could make a huge difference in the performance of your account.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

There really are settings and features in Google Ads that are hidden. And some of these settings can make a big difference in the performance of your search campaigns. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer, an expert of Google Ads with 23 years of experience, discusses 10 settings and where to find them.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Let's talk about competitor campaigns on Google Search. Should you run ads against competitors? Is it worth it? In today's episode Chris Schaeffer discusses the best way to proceed if you plan to spend money on competitor bids.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners. He covers topics around conversion actions in your campaigns, hidden search terms, image assets and display campaigns. And Joey Bidner shares a great tip for optimizing your product title in your product feed!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Feed the algorithm! That's the secret we are talking about in today's podcast. Learn how to create a campaign that can be trained to generate better traffic than other traditional methods. This strategy focuses on using a website that drives a large number of conversions which then drives positive signals for the Google Ads bidding algorithm. Let's talk about that!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

How do you start over in Google Ads? Is manual bidding a practical option for busy managers? Have you tried Portfolio Bidding Strategies? All of this and more in this week's Paid Search Podcast with Chris Schaeffer. Answering questions from listeners around the world who have questions about Google Ads search campaigns!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Episode Notes Meta Embeds Manus AI Into Ads Manager Meta has begun embedding its Manus AI assistant directly into Ads Manager, allowing advertisers to analyze campaign performance conversationally within the platform. While early tests show potential, the hosts caution that advertisers should treat these tools as assistants rather than autonomous strategists. Jeremy Packee and Emily Anderson break down February's biggest paid media updates, including Meta's push deeper into AI-powered campaign management and Google's major change to budget pacing tied to ad scheduling. They also discuss Google's expanding AI-powered commerce ecosystem, new bidding options for acquiring first-time customers, and emerging AI tools transforming creative production. The episode also explores Google's Nano Banana 2 image model and the new Pomelli Photoshoot tool, which can transform simple product images into studio-style marketing assets. The hosts close with a rapid-fire roundup of updates across Google, Microsoft, Instagram, X, and the evolving AI search landscape. Episode Highlights Biggest Watchout Google's new ad scheduling pacing will attempt to spend the full monthly budget within active scheduled days, potentially causing overspend if advertisers rely heavily on ad scheduling. New Feature to Test Google Ads now allows advertisers to set a separate target ROAS for new customer acquisition. Creative Shift AI tools like Nano Banana 2 and Pomelli Photoshoot are making creative concepting and product photography faster and more accessible. Other Platform Updates • Google continues expanding conversational search and brand agents within the SERP • ChatGPT now has hundreds of millions of users but still drives far less outbound traffic than Google • Microsoft added AI search visibility reporting in Bing Webmaster Tools and Clarity • Advertisers reported dormant broad match keywords being quietly re-enabled in some Google Ads accounts • Microsoft Ads introduced multi-image shopping ads • Google removed parked domains from the Search Partner Network • Instagram is testing feed customization and AI product tagging • X is testing AI content labeling and new aspect ratios • Instagram rolled out teen safety alerts tied to self-harm-related searches Follow The Click Brief for fast, no-fluff performance marketing updates. Visit The Click Brief blog for more in-depth analysis and updates from February

If you are not using ad groups to break up your broad match keywords then you are missing a big part of Google's methodology of keywords matching. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer discusses the best way to get more out of your broad match keywords.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses the truth behind how exact match keywords work in 2026. Let's talk about what Google says an exact match keyword is allowed to do and what really happens when you run an exact match keyword. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Joey Bidner discusses Performance Max campaigns. Let's try and demystify this often confusing PPC campaign type. Also Chris Schaeffer discusses the often forgotten tool, Google Ads Editor.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer answers 6 questions from listeners. Great questions covering a wide variety of topics like the dying industry of home services on google ads, AI, the future of PPC on Google, how to recover from a crashing campaign, and if sitelinks are good or bad for performance.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

UCP (Universal Context Protocol) is a new infrastructure layer aiming to standardize “agentic commerce.” It breaks ecommerce into modular capabilities (“Lego bricks”) so AI agents can negotiate tasks like product discovery, checkout, and payments across platforms.This has become an infrastructure war: Google is pushing UCP as an open-source standard versus OpenAI's ACP (Agentic Commerce Protocol) and Anthropic's MCP (Model Context Protocol). Big retailers such as Walmart and Zalando are already experimenting with UCP right now.In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmüller unpack what “Agentic Commerce” means as AI shifts from generating text to taking actions in online shops—and what that implies for your data feed strategy.In this episode, we cover:• The Rise of UCP: how agents “negotiate” capabilities like discovery and checkout—similar to early standards wars (e.g., electricity).• Adoption Reality Check: will consumers let AI buy their sneakers? Mike forecasts ~10% of UCP-based transactions within 2 years; Chris estimates ~5%.• The Protocol War: how partnerships with giants (Walmart, Zalando) help Google try to win the standard.• New Merchant Responsibilities: to reduce hallucinations, Google plans 10–12 new feeds/attributes, pushing more structured-data work back to retailers.About the hosts:Mike Ryan (Austria; originally Boston) is Head of Ecommerce Insights at Smarter Ecommerce (smec), with 10+ years in retail and PPC.Christian Scharmüller is CCO & Managing Director at smec, a long-time PPC/ecommerce leader and frequent speaker (e.g., SMX, OMR).Smarter Ecommerce (smec) helps e-commerce brands optimize PPC with AI-driven automation focused on profit and business outcomes, leveraging first-party data like margins and LTV.Follow smec for more performance marketing insights:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhSubscribe for more actionable eCommerce insights!#eCommerce #GoogleAds #UCP #AgenticCommerce #AI #DigitalMarketing #RetailTrends #GoogleMerchantCentersmec is a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, managing €500M+ in ad spend and driving €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue across 350+ global retail clients (incl. THG, Snipes, REWE, Intersport).More:Website: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/Why it matters: if agents become the new storefront, whoever sets the protocol shapes access to customers, data standards, and product visibility—so feed quality and structured attributes really matter.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Let's get to the point, your Google Ads is wasting money! This week Chris Schaeffer talks about the three most common reasons your account is wasting money. Keywords do not represent the real traffic you are getting, some bid strategies do not allow cost per click management, and the goals you set in Google Ads do not reflect the results you are getting! Let's talk about that.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Have you heard about the new mandatory changes coming to Google Shopping campaigns? This week Joey Bidner joins Chris Schaeffer to talk about the upcoming changes and how you need to respond. Also, Chris discusses three ways you can stand out in a PPC interview when you are trying to get a job with an agency or as an in-house marketing manager.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Let's talk about your biggest questions in Google Ads. These questions come directly from listeners and Chris Schaeffer provides answers to the big issues that haunt PPC managers today. This week we are talking about how to deal with a sudden drop in performance, the recommendation system, the many different campaign types, and the "bid for new customers" option in search campaigns.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses issues around the home service industry in Google Ads. The market has changed and many businesses are lowering their budgets and changing their strategies for ppc in the home services industry. Let's talk about why the ppc home service industry is dying.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer ranking the best and worst Google Ads bid strategies. There are a lot of options on Google for search campaigns and there is only 1 bidding strategy that is considered the BEST one. And that means there are a lot of others that are basically trash.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer and Joey Bidner discuss ad copy strategy in Google Ads. These methods are new because we have new data points in Google Ads for headline CTR and we can use this data to make critical decisions about the best headlines to use in campaigns.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

In the final episode of 2025, Chris and Mike trade their suits for matching Christmas pajamas to deliver a raw, honest review of the year in digital marketing.

Want to get things done faster in Google Ads? Check out these three power tools that can help you become more effective in Google Ads. Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll be back in 2026 with more Google Ads podcasts.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

In this episode, Mike Ryan and Chris dive into the fundamental issue plaguing advanced performance advertisers: the lack of data integrity between ad platforms and a retailer's backend systems. Why are sophisticated retailers taking optimization decisions on ad platform data when their final bottom-line evaluation comes from a different source? Mike calls this the "optimization gulf".The hosts argue that this disconnect is a major tactical issue that is driving platforms like Google and Meta to pursue cross-channel solutions to regain trust.Key discussion points include:The Single Source of Truth (SSOT) Problem: Why using last-click attribution and optimizing within channel silos led to platforms taking 100% credit for the same purchases.The iOS 14.5 Inflection Point: How Apple's anti-tracking policies broke Meta campaigns, leading to the rise of "magic pixels" (Triple Whale, Northbeam) to fix reporting.Marginal ROAS vs. Average ROAS: Why optimizing only for average ROAS is a "massive flop" and why you need to understand the concept of marginal return to avoid spending beyond your optimal point.Google's Contradiction: We break down Google's claim that its bidding system (PMax) finds the cheapest conversion across all networks, and the subsequent contradiction of why the performance of those individual channels often looks bad in segmented reports.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

What is a click in Google Ads? Today we talk about what you need to know about how Google defines a click in paid search. Five important facts you need to know about a click on google ads search campaigns!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

In this post-mortem episode, hosts Mike Ryan and Chris dive deep into the data behind the last peak season to reveal the true cost of Black Friday. They confirm what many performance marketers feared: the event is a "promotional bloodbath where margins are lost".The numbers are shocking: Google Ads spend was up over 31% year-over-year, but revenue only grew 15%, resulting in a massive 12% drop in Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). But the real trouble is profitability. Mike reveals an exclusive chart showing how the average gross profit margin dropped by 9 percentage points in the final week of November.What else is covered in this data-driven post-mortem:The Dilution of Demand: Why Black Friday search volume has been on a secular decline since peaking in 2018, and why the "doorbuster" concept is dead.The Hourly Opportunity: A never-before-seen hourly analysis that pinpoints the exact time when Cost Per Order (CPO) cools down and conversion rates peak, revealing the best time to run your budget.Competitor Strategy: A look at how Amazon is continuously ramping up spend, while the competition from Teemu drastically fell off on Black Friday itself.The Final Warning: Why the relentless increase in CPCs is the single biggest threat to the middle-of-the-pack online retailer.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

This week we audit an account with a 29% optimization score in Google Ads. Does a low optimization score mean the account is failing? What do all of these recommendations in Google Ads really mean? Let's talk about the reality of the optimization score system and how it affects the performance of your search campaigns on Google.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

In this episode, Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmueller dismantle a massive technical flaw in Performance Max: the "Clicked vs. Bought" discrepancy.In a keywordless world, product targeting is your main lever. But Mike reveals that Google places its bids based on the product a user clicks, while being completely blind to the product they actually buy. This means Google is often bidding on the wrong item, unaware that your user cross-shopped into a lower-margin alternative or a different brand entirely. The result? You might be hitting your ROAS targets on paper, but your actual profit is bleeding out.The duo reveals the only technical fix for this—Conversions with Cart Data—and debates the ultimate trust exercise: is it finally time to share your Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS) with Google to bid on true profit?About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Have you tried and failed at Google Ads? This week Chris Schaeffer discusses a simple way to ensure you are getting the right traffic from your Google Ads campaigns. Using this simple bidding method and traffic management strategy you can be sure you are paying the right price for the right traffic. It's called Pay Per Value bidding. Let's talk about that!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Is Google's new AI Max for Search the future, or is it a hidden trap?In this episode of Growing E-commerce, Mike Ryan and Chris dive into brand-new, independent test data on AI Max for Search and discuss the strategic role of Demand Gen and the future of Dynamic Search Ads (DSA).The analysis of over 250 e-commerce campaigns reveals significant concerns:AI Max delivers an average 35% lower Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and a higher Cost Per Conversion (CPA) compared to traditional broad match campaigns in retail.The conversions AI Max drives are often at a lower Average Order Value (AOV), raising questions about incrementality versus cannibalization.Mike predicts that Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) is on its way to being fully sunset/upgraded to AI Max by early 2026. The shift signals Google's move to consolidate broad automation into AI Max and the visual discovery into Demand Gen. The hosts also warn that many advertisers are creating unnecessary data fragmentation and overlap by running AI Max, DSA, and PMAX concurrently.The key discussion focuses on the Demand Gen Strategy: Demand Gen is best used as a visual discovery engine to compete with Paid Social/Meta and is heavily driven by video ads across YouTube and Shorts. Learn how to use it strategically as a mid-funnel tool to feed Performance Max (PMAX).What to do now: AI Max is here to stay. Mike and Chris offer advice on how to use AI Max's built-in controls (like negative keywords) to make the feature work smarter for your business.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Chris answers 5 burning questions about Google Ads from listeners this week. We discuss how to deal with a campaign that has crashed and burned, manual bidding, finding traffic when it appears to not exist, and a question about how freelancers can better sell their google ads services.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Q3 earnings are in, and the consolidation is real. Hosts Mike Ryan and Chris dive into the gravity-defying numbers, confirming that Google's core ad revenue is up a strong 12.6% year-over-year (YoY), and their massive Cloud backlog sits at $155 billion USD. Chris states that Google is not the "bee-headed chicken" but remains the dominant "American eagle". The focus then shifts to Amazon, which has truly become a services business (Cloud and Ads), with its retail component no longer the core driver of its wealth.But the big story isn't the growth—it's the crisis. Mike and Chris reveal a dangerous surge in ad costs: CPCs in PMAX and Shopping are up an alarming 30% year-to-date (since week one of the year), with Shopping CPCs specifically soaring by 36% YoY. Chris warns that this kind of inflation is a "real threat" to Google's business model because it is "forcing especially small and middle businesses out" of the auction. They discuss whether a competitor like OpenAI could challenge Google by offering "massively discounted CPCs" to eat into market share. Finally, Mike introduces the free smec Market Observer tool that helps online retailers benchmark their CPCs and check competition levels from giants like Amazon and Temu.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

This is the best way to pick the right keywords to use in your Google Ads campaign. Chris Schaeffer discusses an effective method that will ensure anyone can get the best qualified traffic for their business from Google in these simple steps!Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This episode tackles the most urgent issues retail clients are facing right now: exploding costs and profound market uncertainty.Hosts Mike Ryan and Chris dive into the alarming trend of increasing CPCs (Cost Per Click), which are soaring at rates of up to 30% in key categories. Chris calls these increases a "fucking pain in the ass" and a potential "business destroyer," especially for businesses with paper-thin margins. They debate whether Google is responsible or if it's purely a market-level crisis, and why Google must find a solution to prevent mid-sized players from running out of money.The second major theme is the AI search disruption. The hosts discuss the pervasive uncertainty among retailers—from small shops to enterprise clients—about the future of search behavior and the need for a stronger Data Density strategy. They reveal the huge structural change that the average search query in AI mode is 2.5x longer than in standard search. Finally, they discuss the evolving role of the PPC manager, emphasizing the need for system thinking and an openness to human-machine collaboration to thrive.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

This week Chris Schaeffer gives simple steps for building a Google Ads campaign that will deliver reliable traffic with minimal effort. This method is great for those that are trying Google Ads for the first time and want to minimize wasting money in the PPC marketing.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

This week Chris Schaeffer answers a question about how to structure your Google Ads campaigns. And Joey Bidner jumps in to discuss the role of Microsoft Ads for advertisers looking to diversify their PPC traffic.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

It's here! Ads are officially landing inside your AI search results, and Google's not asking for permission. In this episode, Mike Ryan and Chris break down the massive global rollout of AI Overviews (AIO) and AI Mode (AIM). They reveal the experimental phase where ads will soon appear inside the AI content itself, and expose the most critical issue: advertisers currently have neither an opt-in nor an opt-out for these new properties. This means your existing ad budget is being automatically pushed into this new environment—a fundamental shift in search since the smartphone.But the real disruption isn't just Google—it's OpenAI. They've launched an aggressive e-commerce shopping assistant model, complete with in-chat checkout and integrated with giants like Walmart and Target.Our hosts explain why this completely changes the game, essentially turning the AI into a marketplace. They discuss the only way retailers can survive this new reality: providing maximum information density (feeds, structured data, landing pages) to be visible to the AI, even as you are forced to compete in its new commission-based ecosystem.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

This controversial episode is tackling the messy side of shopping! Hosts Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmueller dive straight into the news that Zalando is tightening its return policy, issuing warnings and even year-long bans for shoppers with "disproportionately high return volumes". With fashion return rates soaring (sometimes 30-70%!), they break down why retailers are finally getting serious about profitability and why relying solely on order value is a massive, costly mistake for your advertising campaigns.But don't panic! We offer the smart, proactive solution: leveraging off-channel first-party data. Mike and Chris explain how you can integrate return rate data into your campaigns using tools like Conversions with Cart Data and even Google's Product Return Rate Predictor. Plus: Mike and Chris take a look at how Google is leading the pack with virtual try-on technology to stop returns before they even happen. Finally, the boys tackle the all-important Black Friday strategy, discussing the dilution of the sales event and Google's new "triple peak week" thesis: Surging Sunday, Black Friday, and Cyber Sunday.Links mentioned in this episode:https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/smec-market-observer/https://cloud.google.com/vertex-ai/generative-ai/docs/model-reference/virtual-try-on-apihttps://github.com/google-marketing-solutions/product-return-predictorAbout smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

In this solo episode, host Mike Ryan tackles the opaqueness of the digital advertising industry. He then reveals a previously confidential email from two senior Google executives. This internal communication confirms that Google's “PMAXification” phase is over. While their old approach was to push Performance Max as the end-all solution, their new strategy is a broader, more complex one centered around a “holy trinity” of campaigns called the PowerPack.Mike breaks down the roles of the three campaign types in the PowerPack—Performance Max (conversions), Demand Gen (consideration), and AI Max for Search (expansion). He then provides a critical look at how these technologies work together in reality, exposing the redundancies and potential for self-competition that could make a “hygienic, well-organized” account harder to manage than ever before. This is a must-watch for anyone who wants to look behind Google's curtain and understand where your ad spend is really going.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

This Google Ads tutorial walks you through how match types work in 2025 and why most B2B startups waste their budget by treating them as random tactics instead of building systematic marketing infrastructure. Learn the exact strategy to capture high-intent traffic without wasting budget, based on real client results from my growth marketing consulting and contracting business services.You'll discover why AI has changed how Google Ads match types work in 2025, and how Google Ads fits into your complete marketing infrastructure system.This video is perfect for B2B SaaS founders dealing with complex sales cycles and aspiring marketers who want to systematically implement a Google Search Ads into their marketing infrastructure. Note that this approach also works with Microsoft Ads.

Will Google's new AI strategy kill ecommerce as you know it? In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller dissect the biggest news from DMEXCO 2025 in Cologne, Germany, and reveal their bold take on the future of paid search and online retail.Chris shares his on-the-ground insights from the conference, including his talk on a major stage in front of over 600 people. He and Mike dive deep into why Google Search is still an unstoppable "money printing machine" despite new competitors like ChatGPT and Perplexity. They discuss staggering online search stats, like the 5.8 trillion search queries that happen globally each year, with over 90% of them going through Google.But here's the twist: They explore how new AI products like AI Overviews (AIOs) are already creating "zero-click events", which could massively disrupt the classic e-commerce funnel. Could Google's "buy on Google" feature make a comeback? And if it does, what does it mean for retailers who could become just a "warehouse for Google"?This episode isn't just about what's happening; it's about what's coming. Don't miss this crucial conversation on how to adapt to the future of e-commerce.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Welcome to Episode 10 of Growing ecommerce! Get ready to cut through the noise with your hosts Mike and Chris, as they tackle the real-world implications of three massive forces in the market.First, they take on Google's newest AI-powered ad product, A/I Max. While Google promises performance, Mike and Chris reveal how it can lead to chaotic bidding on competitor terms and the low-quality Search Partner Network. The hosts also discuss why an "old school" strategy called search query sculpting is more relevant than ever to regain control and maximize your ad spend.Then, the focus shifts to the critical, yet often overlooked, topic of conversion lag and latency. The hosts explain how this natural consumer behavior creates discrepancies between your ad platform data and your backend sales reports, and why it's a key metric for both marketing managers and business leaders.Finally, they reveal the latest data on Temu's staggering growth across Europe. With fresh numbers in hand, the hosts reveal which countries are feeling the most pressure from this new market giant and what this means for local retailers struggling to compete.This episode is packed with the insights you need to navigate the ever-changing world of ecommerce. Tune in and get ready to level up your ad strategy.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Welcome to Episode 9 of Growing Ecommerce! In a world buzzing with AI hype, we're cutting through the noise to ask the big question: Is this the next dot-com bubble, or a long-term, foundational shift for the future of business?Join hosts Mike and Chris as they debate the financial health of the tech giants driving the AI revolution and challenge the notion that AI has delivered on its promised productivity gains. They'll also reveal some mind-blowing data on Google Shopping's mysterious lack of market shock when Amazon's ads disappeared, and expose the "hellscape" of Google Merchant Center account suspensions.Tune in to get the full picture behind the headlines and learn what's truly happening in the world of ecommerce.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

In this week's show, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller dive headfirst into the "PMAXification" of the advertising landscape, a term Mike coined to describe how platforms from Google to TikTok are rushing to automate your ad spend. But just as we thought the black box was here to stay, Google is making a surprising U-turn, opening up more control and data for advertisers. We'll break down if the other platforms, like TikTok with its mandatory GMV Max campaigns and Meta with its "AI-first, no control" strategy, will follow suit.Don't go anywhere because things get even spicier. Mike starts a "crusade" against Google's Search Partner Network, exposing why some of the "partnerships" are a little unsettling and what brands need to watch out for. And finally, in a lightning round you won't want to miss, the hosts go head-to-head on the most important question in tech right now: is AI a bubble, yes or no? One of them is a believer, and the other is a skeptic, and it's not who you think.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

In this powerhouse episode of The Visibility Impact Show, we're diving deep into AI-driven paid ads and what's actually working now in a world where algorithms change overnight.Crissy is joined by Lisa Raehsler, founder of Big Click Co., who has helped hundreds of businesses scale their growth through strategic paid media. Together, they unpack:Why AI-powered ads could save you hours of content creationThe biggest ad mistakes entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them)Which ad platforms to choose based on your audienceHow to run lean, effective ads even with a small budgetWhat's changing in Google and Microsoft ads with AI searchAnd how paid ads can make you look bigger than you are, especially locallyThis episode is a must-listen for women entrepreneurs, coaches, and service providers who are ready to stop guessing and start growing through smart, streamlined paid advertising.Connect with Lisa: https://www.bigclickco.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarockssem/Drop us a message...Join this FREE Telegram space, Broadcast... https://thevisibleceo.com/broadcastBROADCAST is for the human-first leader who refuses to be muted by algorithms, AI, or outdated strategies. You've got something to say, and it's time to say it like you mean it. If you are ready for me to shift your thinking on how you can create a business WITHOUT living on your phone - this is the space to be! OMNI is my full visibility system built for CEOs who want to grow online without living on their phone. If you're ready to be truly seen, more strategic, and unmistakably in demand, head to check out OMNI at www.omniqueens.com Take the FREE Quiz to find out how visible you really are at www.thevisibleceo.com/quiz Review, share with a friend and tag me! IG: itscrissyconner FB: crissyconner LI: crissyconnerOMNI is my full visibility system built for CEOs who want to grow online without living on their phone. If you're ready to be truly seen, more strategic, and unmistakably in demand, head to check out OMNI at www.omniqueens.com Take the FREE Quiz to find out how visible you really are at www.thevisibleceo.com/quiz https://www.instagram.com/itscrissyconner/https://www.tiktok.com/@crissyconnerhttps://www.facebook.com/crissyconnerhttps://www.youtube.com/c/crissyconnerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/crissyconner/

In this powerhouse episode of The Visibility Impact Show, we're diving deep into AI-driven paid ads and what's actually working now in a world where algorithms change overnight.Crissy is joined by Lisa Raehsler, founder of Big Click Co., who has helped hundreds of businesses scale their growth through strategic paid media. Together, they unpack:Why AI-powered ads could save you hours of content creationThe biggest ad mistakes entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them)Which ad platforms to choose based on your audienceHow to run lean, effective ads even with a small budgetWhat's changing in Google and Microsoft ads with AI searchAnd how paid ads can make you look bigger than you are, especially locallyThis episode is a must-listen for women entrepreneurs, coaches, and service providers who are ready to stop guessing and start growing through smart, streamlined paid advertising.Connect with Lisa: https://www.bigclickco.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarockssem/Drop us a message...Join this FREE Telegram space, Broadcast... https://thevisibleceo.com/broadcastBROADCAST is for the human-first leader who refuses to be muted by algorithms, AI, or outdated strategies. You've got something to say, and it's time to say it like you mean it. If you are ready for me to shift your thinking on how you can create a business WITHOUT living on your phone - this is the space to be! OMNI is my full visibility system built for CEOs who want to grow online without living on their phone. If you're ready to be truly seen, more strategic, and unmistakably in demand, head to check out OMNI at www.omniqueens.com Take the FREE Quiz to find out how visible you really are at www.thevisibleceo.com/quiz Review, share with a friend and tag me! IG: itscrissyconner FB: crissyconner LI: crissyconnerOMNI is my full visibility system built for CEOs who want to grow online without living on their phone. If you're ready to be truly seen, more strategic, and unmistakably in demand, head to check out OMNI at www.omniqueens.com Take the FREE Quiz to find out how visible you really are at www.thevisibleceo.com/quiz https://www.instagram.com/itscrissyconner/https://www.tiktok.com/@crissyconnerhttps://www.facebook.com/crissyconnerhttps://www.youtube.com/c/crissyconnerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/crissyconner/

If you're navigating the evolving world of Google Ads AI, this episode featuring PPC expert Lisa Raehsler delivers the clarity, strategy, and foresight you've been searching for.Lisa shares her deep insights from over 15 years in paid media to help advertisers adapt to a fast-changing landscape shaped by AI in digital advertising. Whether you're frustrated by lower click-through rates, overwhelmed by Performance Max campaigns, or confused about how AI-powered ad copy and automation are affecting Google search ads, Lisa offers straightforward answers to your questions.You'll learn how to:Adjust campaigns to survive in a world of AI-generated search resultsUse Performance Max campaigns to reach broader, high-intent audiencesOptimize ad copy and creatives with tools that reflect modern AI-powered ad copy standardsPrepare for new placements like Connected TV advertising and Microsoft Ads and CopilotUnderstand the emerging search engine marketing trends and the future of PPCLisa's expertise is grounded in practical, strategic campaign execution, helping business owners and marketers find solutions in the face of increasing ad complexity and shifting consumer behavior. If you've been Googling “why are my ads not converting anymore” or “how to stay ahead in Google Ads,” this episode is exactly what you need.00:00 – Welcome & Lisa Raehsler's background01:20 – How Google Ads AI is changing search marketing02:30 – AI Overviews: Why organic traffic is dropping03:10 – Budgeting realities: Getting started in paid search today04:00 – The rise of Performance Max campaigns05:10 – Automating for results: Data-driven bidding & targeting06:00 – How AI-powered ad copy is built and how to guide it07:00 – Expanding reach: Microsoft Ads and Copilot, Gmail, and Connected TV advertising08:40 – What to expect next in the future of PPC09:30 – Where to connect with Lisa: Substack & LinkedIn#GoogleAdsAI #LisaRaehsler #PerformanceMax #DigitalAdvertising #PPCMarketing #SearchEngineMarketing #MicrosoftAds #ConnectedTVAds #AIAdCopy #PaidMediaStrategy #FutureOfPPC #AdAutomation

In this episode of PPC Live: The Podcast, host Anu chats with Greg Finn, co-founder of Cypress North, about the biggest mistakes he's witnessed in PPC and how they became learning opportunities. Greg shares two major f-ups: a Halloween costume company that accidentally set their monthly budget as a daily budget (spending $300K instead of $30K), and his own team's Microsoft Ads import error that sent one client's ads to a completely different advertiser's account.More importantly, Greg reveals how these disasters shaped his management philosophy and company culture, emphasizing transparency, open communication, and treating mistakes as growth opportunities rather than failures.On Mistake Management:Intent matters more than outcome - if someone is trying to do the right thing, the mistake is secondaryTransparency builds trust - own mistakes immediately, provide full documentation, and offer immediate refundsCreate processes after mistakes to prevent repetition, not punishmentOn Company Culture:Foster an environment where employees feel safe reporting mistakes immediatelyFocus on education and growth rather than perfectionTreat team members as teammates, not competitorsOn AI Usage:AI works best as an assistant, not a replacement for human creativityAvoid AI-generated content that looks obviously artificialMaintain authentic brand voice rather than relying on AI for everythingOn Conversions:"All conversions are not created equal" - optimize for sales-qualified leads, not just any conversionSync CRM systems with ad platforms to focus on actual business outcomesQuality over quantity when it comes to lead generationThe episode emphasizes that mistakes are inevitable in PPC, but how you handle them defines your success as both a marketer and a leader00:00 Introduction to PPC Live The Podcast00:50 Guest Introduction: Greg Finn of Cypress North03:01 Greg's Background and Expertise05:33 Discussing $300,000 worth and uploading to the wront account PPC Mistakes19:53 Owning Your Mistakes20:14 The Illusion of Perfection on Social Media21:42 Encouraging Open Communication in the Workplace25:44 The Importance of Team Mentality27:29 Mismanagement of Talent30:32 The Role of AI in Marketing35:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts and LinkedInBook a coaching call with ⁠⁠⁠⁠Anu⁠⁠PPC Live The Podcast (formerly PPCChat Roundup) features weekly conversations with paid search experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.The next ⁠⁠⁠⁠PPC Live event⁠⁠⁠⁠ is on June 26th in Leeds, UKThe next PPC Live London event is July 31stFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter

If you're trying to navigate the complex world of Google Ads, this episode is a must-watch. Expert Lisa Raehsler, founder of Big Click Co and seasoned digital strategist, breaks down how to succeed in the evolving ad landscape shaped by AI in digital marketing.Lisa brings 15+ years of experience in PPC and paid media, offering clear, tactical advice for marketers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are struggling with rising ad costs, shifting search advertising trends, and how to leverage Performance Max campaigns. Whether you're launching your first campaign or optimizing an existing one, Lisa's insights into ad automation, budget strategy, and multi-channel reach (including connected TV ads and Microsoft Ads) give you the edge you need.She also shares how platforms like Substack can elevate your content game, and how the integration of AI is fundamentally changing ad creation, keyword strategy, and campaign optimization. If you've ever asked:How much budget do I need to get started on Google Ads?Why are my clicks going down but impressions going up?How can I future-proof my campaigns in an AI-driven world?—then this episode will give you the answers and solutions you're looking for.Lisa's knowledge is perfectly aligned with what today's digital advertisers need: strategic clarity, platform-specific advice, and a sharp read on where the ad world is headed.