Ad extensions are additional pieces of information that expand your ads to make them more useful to users. These extensions can increase your ad's visibility and improve your click-through rate (CTR) by providing more reasons for users to click on your ad. In this section, we will cover the different types of ad extensions, how to set them up, and best practices for using them effectively.
Types of Ad Extensions
Google Ads offers several types of ad extensions, each serving a different purpose. Here are the main types:
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Sitelink Extensions
- Description: Provide additional links to specific pages on your website.
- Example: "Contact Us," "About Us," "Products," "Services."
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Callout Extensions
- Description: Highlight specific offers or features of your business.
- Example: "Free Shipping," "24/7 Customer Support," "Price Match Guarantee."
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Structured Snippet Extensions
- Description: Highlight specific aspects of your products or services.
- Example: "Types: Sedans, SUVs, Trucks."
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Call Extensions
- Description: Add your phone number to your ad, allowing users to call you directly.
- Example: "Call us at (123) 456-7890."
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Location Extensions
- Description: Show your business address, phone number, and a map marker.
- Example: "123 Main St, Anytown, USA."
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Affiliate Location Extensions
- Description: Show nearby stores that sell your products.
- Example: "Available at Walmart, Target."
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Price Extensions
- Description: Showcase your products or services along with their prices.
- Example: "Basic Plan $9.99/month, Premium Plan $19.99/month."
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App Extensions
- Description: Provide a link to download your mobile app.
- Example: "Download our app on the App Store."
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Promotion Extensions
- Description: Highlight sales and promotions.
- Example: "20% off on all items."
Setting Up Ad Extensions
Setting up ad extensions in Google Ads is straightforward. Follow these steps to add extensions to your campaigns:
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Navigate to the Ads & Extensions Tab
- Go to your Google Ads account.
- Click on the "Ads & extensions" tab on the left-hand menu.
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Select Extensions
- Click on the "Extensions" tab at the top of the page.
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Add a New Extension
- Click the blue "+" button to add a new extension.
- Choose the type of extension you want to add from the dropdown menu.
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Fill in the Required Information
- Enter the necessary details for the selected extension type.
- For example, for a sitelink extension, you need to provide the link text and the URL.
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Save and Apply
- Click "Save" to apply the extension to your campaign or ad group.
Best Practices for Using Ad Extensions
To get the most out of ad extensions, follow these best practices:
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Use Relevant Extensions
- Choose extensions that are relevant to your business and the specific ad campaign.
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Provide Clear and Concise Information
- Ensure that the information in your extensions is clear, concise, and compelling.
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Test Different Extensions
- Experiment with different types of extensions to see which ones perform best.
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Monitor Performance
- Regularly review the performance of your ad extensions and make adjustments as needed.
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Combine Multiple Extensions
- Use a combination of extensions to provide comprehensive information and increase your ad's visibility.
Practical Example
Let's look at a practical example of setting up a callout extension for an online store that offers free shipping and 24/7 customer support.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Navigate to the Ads & Extensions Tab
Go to your Google Ads account. Click on the "Ads & extensions" tab on the left-hand menu.
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Select Extensions
Click on the "Extensions" tab at the top of the page.
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Add a New Extension
Click the blue "+" button to add a new extension. Choose "Callout extension" from the dropdown menu.
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Fill in the Required Information
Enter the following details: - Callout text 1: "Free Shipping" - Callout text 2: "24/7 Customer Support"
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Save and Apply
Click "Save" to apply the callout extension to your campaign or ad group.
Code Example
Here's how you might set up a callout extension using Google Ads API:
from google.ads.google_ads.client import GoogleAdsClient from google.ads.google_ads.errors import GoogleAdsException client = GoogleAdsClient.load_from_storage() def create_callout_extension(client, customer_id): extension_feed_item_service = client.get_service("ExtensionFeedItemService") callout_feed_item = client.get_type("ExtensionFeedItem") callout_feed_item.callout_feed_item.callout_text = "Free Shipping" callout_feed_item.callout_feed_item.callout_text = "24/7 Customer Support" operation = client.get_type("ExtensionFeedItemOperation") operation.create.CopyFrom(callout_feed_item) try: response = extension_feed_item_service.mutate_extension_feed_items( customer_id=customer_id, operations=[operation] ) print(f"Created callout extension with resource name: {response.results[0].resource_name}") except GoogleAdsException as ex: print(f"Request failed with status {ex.error.code().name} and includes the following errors:") for error in ex.failure.errors: print(f"\tError with message: {error.message}") # Replace with your Google Ads customer ID customer_id = "INSERT_CUSTOMER_ID_HERE" create_callout_extension(client, customer_id)
Exercises
Exercise 1: Add a Sitelink Extension
Task: Add a sitelink extension to your ad campaign that links to your "Contact Us" and "About Us" pages.
Steps:
- Navigate to the "Ads & extensions" tab.
- Click on the "Extensions" tab.
- Click the blue "+" button and select "Sitelink extension."
- Enter the link text and URLs for "Contact Us" and "About Us."
- Save and apply the extension.
Solution:
1. Navigate to the "Ads & extensions" tab. 2. Click on the "Extensions" tab. 3. Click the blue "+" button and select "Sitelink extension." 4. Enter the following details: - Link text: "Contact Us" - URL: "https://www.example.com/contact" - Link text: "About Us" - URL: "https://www.example.com/about" 5. Save and apply the extension.
Exercise 2: Monitor and Optimize Ad Extensions
Task: Monitor the performance of your ad extensions and make adjustments to improve their effectiveness.
Steps:
- Go to the "Ads & extensions" tab.
- Click on the "Extensions" tab.
- Review the performance metrics for each extension.
- Identify any underperforming extensions and make necessary adjustments.
Solution:
1. Go to the "Ads & extensions" tab. 2. Click on the "Extensions" tab. 3. Review the performance metrics such as CTR, impressions, and conversions. 4. For underperforming extensions, consider changing the text, updating the URLs, or testing different types of extensions.
Conclusion
Ad extensions are a powerful tool in Google Ads that can enhance your ads' visibility and effectiveness. By understanding the different types of ad extensions and following best practices, you can create more compelling ads that attract more clicks and drive better results. Remember to regularly monitor and optimize your ad extensions to ensure they continue to perform well.
Google Ads Course
Module 1: Introduction to Google Ads
- What is Google Ads?
- How Google Ads works
- Types of campaigns in Google Ads
- Setting up a Google Ads account
Module 2: Keyword Research and Selection
- Importance of keywords
- Tools for keyword research
- How to select effective keywords
- Organizing keywords into ad groups
Module 3: Creating Ads
Module 4: Campaign Setup
Module 5: Optimization and Performance Improvement
Module 6: Advanced Strategies
Module 7: Practical Cases and Exercises
- Exercise: Create a search campaign
- Exercise: Optimize an existing campaign
- Exercise: Implement a remarketing strategy
- Case study: Analysis of a real campaign