How to advertise on Google? 7 advanced tools for Google advertising

Google Ads dashboard displaying campaign performance metrics and analytics

So that Google searches reach your ads

So how do you advertise on Google? What are the advanced tools for Google advertising? We have prepared a list of 7 advanced tools for advanced Google advertising that we believe every advertiser must know and use regularly. All these tools will help improve the performance of your campaigns. Some of the tools will help you target more precise search terms using Google’s keyword tool, while others will improve the visibility of your ads and help you build an advanced Google campaign that delivers results.


List of Tools - Advanced Google:

  1. Fifth match type in the Search Network – Phrase Match Modifier – PMM

  2. Dynamic keywords in ads – Dynamic Keyword Insertion – DKI 

  3. Countdown in ads – Countdown

  4. Dynamic ads in Search Network – DSA – Dynamic Search Ads

  5. Search Network Remarketing – RLSA – Remarketing Lists For Search Ads

  6. Responsive ads in Display Network – Responsive Display Ads – RDA

  7. Responsive ads in Search Network – Responsive Search Ads – RSA


1. Fifth keyword match type - Phrase Match Modifier

 It is not always possible to capture all Google searches for a specific topic using BMM or PHRASE MATCH.
This method essentially combines BROAD MATCH MODIFIER and PHRASE MATCH and lets us handpick the strings we want to target with ads.

What is the advantage of this match type?

You can connect 2 words in a string using a dot between them. The remaining words are required to be in the query, but in no fixed order.

Examples of queries that will work for the keyword: “+development.job +tel.aviv”:

  • development job in tel aviv
  • tel aviv development job
  • java development job tel aviv
  • python development job tel aviv
Examples of queries that will not work:
  • how to find a development job in tel aviv
  • development studies in tel aviv
  • java development job in tel aviv
  • development jobs in tel aviv


2. Automatically inserting search queries into the ad - Dynamic Keyword Insertion

When should you use DKI?
If I have an online store with many types of shoes, there will be many Google searches for specific shoe models, such as: “Nike AIRFORCE 1 shoes”.
Instead of building lots of ad groups for every single model on my site, I will insert a DKI for Nike shoes, and whenever someone searches for specific models of Nike shoes,
the headline of my ad will display exactly what the user typed in the search bar. 
This method will not completely replace the need to target ads to keywords 100%, but it will help find relevant keywords for the product and increase click-through rates.

  • One method to catch the user’s eye is for the ad to contain the search term they typed

  • The search term will appear highlighted in the ad

  • Google does this in organic results

  • The ultimate solution is to create an ad group with a single exact match keyword and ad(s)

  • The practical solution is ads with DKI

Example:
For the “Netanya by the Sea” campaign, there is a landing page describing the project with a lead form.
The keywords are:

  • new apartment from developer in Netanya

  • 3-room apartment in Netanya

  • penthouse by the sea in Netanya

In Headline 1 you write: Looking for {Keyword:New Apartment in Netanya}?

DKI step-by-step:

Create a new ad, enter curly brackets, and insert the dynamic keyword. Afterwards, a menu will open as shown in the picture:

Dynamic Keyword Insertion syntax implementation in Google search ad headline

Select the desired keyword:

 
Configuring default text options for Dynamic Keyword Insertion in Google Ads
Preview of responsive search ad utilizing dynamic keyword insertion formula

Default value: 

Looking for {Keyword:New Apartment in Netanya}?
  • Headline 1 allows 30 characters
  • The word {KEYWORD}, brackets, and a space after it = 7 characters
  • The character ? = 1 character
  • Meaning, 22 characters remain
  • If the search term is < 22 characters, the entire term will be displayed
  • If the search term is > 22 characters, Google will display the default value – in this example: New Apartment in Netanya
Disadvantages of working with DKI:
  • Recommended to work with exact match
  • Be very careful with trademarks, competitors’ names…
  • Cannot change the landing page based on the search query


3. Countdown

An advanced automated solution allowing you to show the time remaining until an offer ends.

Examples: 10 hours left for discounted registration / 5 days left for end of season sale

Building an ad with countdown:

 

Advanced automated bidding strategy configuration screen in Google Ads

Notes:

  • Type the ad end time in 24-hour format (HH:MM:SS)

  • If using Countdown, you must create at least one regular ad in the same ad group

  • The Countdown ad will appear according to the schedule you set

  • Displaying of Countdown ads will stop at the date and time you specified


4. Dynamic Search Ads - (DSA)

A great tool where Google partially generates dynamic ads based on website content. 
How is it done? Set up a Search campaign and configure all campaign settings as usual.
To create a campaign with dynamic search ads up to creating the ad group:
Creating custom audience segments in Google Ads audience manager interface

Enter the domain and select a category from the list:

Configuring sitelink assets and extensions for Google search advertisements

Add the ad details (only descriptions are added):

Search terms report showing user queries in Google Ads account

Notes:

  • No need to define keywords, Google does the work for you

  • You can see the search queries in the ‘Search Terms’ report – and find relevant keywords to add to your main campaign


5. Remarketing Lists for Search Ads (RLSA)

Search Remarketing is a tool that allows matching Search Network campaigns to people who have already visited your website. The tool adjusts bids and ads for those visitors so that the ads will be shown to them when they search on Google and search partner sites.

2 sample use cases for Search Remarketing RLSA:

1. Building a search campaign for a more generic keyword – for visitors who already visited the site

Example: In a naturopathy course, we will take the general term – “naturopathy” for those who have visited the site.

2. Increasing the cost-per-click bid for visitors who already visited the site

Example: If a user has already visited the site in the last two weeks, we are willing to pay more for them –
for example 40 percent more on the cost-per-click (because the user is more relevant than someone who hasn’t visited the site).

RLSA step-by-step:

1. Building a search campaign for a more generic keyword – for site visitors only

  • Set up a regular campaign containing the terms

  • Go to Audiences

  • Pay attention to the conversion rate and of course the cost per conversion

 

Setting up location targeting radiuses within Google advertising campaign

2. Increasing the bid for visitors who already visited the site

  • Set up a regular campaign with the keywords

  • Go to Audiences

Conversion tracking action setup dashboard inside Google Ads manager

The difference is that in option 1 we displayed ads only to those who visited the website, and in option 2 there is a 40 percent bid adjustment upwards,
meaning for a user who visited the website – we are willing to pay 40% more

To select the appropriate option – when creating the audience in the campaign, you will be asked to choose between 2 options:

 

Targeting versus observation setting selection screen in Google Ads campaign

Targeting: This is option 1 from the example.
Observation: This is option 2 from the example.


6. Responsive Search Ads (Beta)

Google claims that responsive ads enter more AUCTIONS in the platform, so the potential reach is larger than standard text ads.
Responsive ads allow Google to display ads on all device types without fitting issues.
How does it work?
The system allows entering up to 15 different headlines and 4 different descriptions.
Google basically tests all combinations created from the headlines and descriptions, checking which combination brings the best results.
How do you create a Responsive Search Ad?
Go to the ad group where you want to add a responsive ad, click on the + (just like creating an ad) – and the following menu will appear: 
Adding negative keywords list to prevent irrelevant Google ad clicks

After that, the interface for building the ad will open:

Demographic targeting settings panel for age and gender in Google Ads

** It is important to write texts that fit well with all the other texts you enter. Because Google will test all variations, the texts need to work together seamlessly.
There is an option to pin texts by clicking the pin icon to the left of the text. It is recommended to pin 2 headlines, and let the rest of the headlines work dynamically with the other texts.


7. Responsive Display Ads in Google Ads

On the Display Network, there are 3 types of ads:

1. Image / GIF / HTML ad
2. Responsive display ad
3. Text ad (you can copy text ads from the Search Network and paste them into a Display Network campaign)

What is the difference between an image ad and a responsive ad?

Responsive Display Ad:

1. No control over the ad layout
2. To create the ad you need a logo (in 2 sizes) and an image (one size is usually enough in most cases)
3. Cannot customize some ads individually
4. Relatively low cost

Image / GIF Ad for Display Network:

1. Requires professional graphics – banners in preset sizes for the ad to run on the Display Network
2. You can decide which sizes to use
3. Ads can be optimized
4. Relatively more expensive

What do you need to prepare?

  • Image

  • Logo

  • Multiple headlines and descriptions (like in a Responsive Search Ad), make sure the texts and descriptions work dynamically (the texts won’t necessarily appear in the order you uploaded them)

  • Videos can be added to ads

Uploading the responsive ad:
Go to the display campaign, then to the ad group where you want to add a responsive ad, 
click on the + (just like creating an ad) – and the following menu will appear:

  

Google Ads Keyword Planner tool displaying search volume and bid estimates

After that, the interface for building the ad will open:

Responsive display ad preview editor in Google Display Network interface

** If you have a dynamic catalog, you can run dynamic remarketing on Google using a responsive display ad


Summary

In this article, we presented 7 advanced tools in Google Ads. Most tools are suitable for the Search Network. We started with the fifth match type – PMM, which is a great method once you understand the concept; we also recommend using it for negative keywords. Next, we discussed DKI – you must be careful with this tool and check which search terms your ads run on so you don’t run an ad that doesn’t fit your business profile. In addition, we explained how to use countdowns, a great tool for promotions/open houses, etc. 
Other tools mentioned in the article: DSA – an excellent tool for finding relevant long-tail keywords for your business. RLSA – a very important tool for the Search Network; it is important to use its Observation option to understand how different audiences behave in the campaign.  Responsive Search and Display Ads: new ad types for Google networks; why add these ads? For the simple reason that Google will be able to display our ads in more places it couldn’t display before,
allowing us to gain more exposure and possibly more conversions.
In summary, it is recommended to try every new tool Google offers and test if it works well and improves your performance, otherwise you will fall behind with your campaigns.

A little about me

Yanir Cohen, 22 years old, specializes in digital campaign management across a variety of channels.

Author portrait of eCommerce marketing specialist Yanir