The Paid Search Podcast | A Weekly Podcast About Google Ads and Online Marketing

Tips for Shopping, Search, and Display Campaigns (Episode 506)

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners. He covers topics around conversion actions in your campaigns, hidden search terms, image a...

How To Train Google Ads With Conversions (Episode 505)

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 generat...

Your Paid Search Questions Answered (Episode 504)

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#1 Secret to Improving Broad Match Keywords (Episode 503)

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How Exact Match Keywords Actually Function (Episode 502)

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 keyw...

Demystifying Performance Max (Episode 501)

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joey Bidner discusses Performance Max campaigns. Let's try and demystify this often confusing PPC campaign type. Also Chris Schaeffer d...

6 REALLY GOOD Questions from Listeners (Episode 500)

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer answers 6 questions from listeners. Great questions covering a wide variety of topics like the dying industry of home servic...

3 Reasons Your Google Ads is Wasting Money (Episode 499)

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 was...

Big Changes Coming to Shopping Campaigns in February (Episode 498)

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard about the new mandatory changes coming to Google Shopping campaigns? This week Joey Bidner joins Chris Schaeffer to talk about the upco...

Q&A: Answering Questions from Listeners (Episode 497)

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about your biggest questions in Google Ads. These questions come directly from listeners and Chris Schaeffer provides answers to the b...

PPC for Home Services is Dying (Episode 496)

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses issues around the home service industry in Google Ads. The market has changed and many businesses are lowering the...

Ranking Bid Strategies From Worst to Best (Episode 495)

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

PPC Basics - Simple Ad Strategy That Works (Episode 494)

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

My 3 Favorite Google Ads POWER TOOLS (Episode 493)

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 CHR...

5 Things You Need to Know About a CLICK in Google Ads (Episode 492)

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 nee...

Let's Audit an Account with 29.6% Optimization Score (Episode 491)

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

How to Build a Successful Search Campaign + Easy to Follow Instructions (Episode 490)

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Answering PPC Questions from Subscribers (Episode 489)

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, manua...

PPC Basics - How to Pick The Best Keywords (Episode 488)

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 any...

PPC Basics - Building Your First Campaign (Episode 487)

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer gives simple steps for building a Google Ads campaign that will deliver reliable traffic with minimal effort. This method is...

Should You Try Microsoft Ads? (Episode 486)

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Microso...

PPC Basics: How to Get Phone Calls (Episode 485)

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to get phone calls from Google Ads search campaigns. There are three methods that are the most direct way to g...

Huge Q&A: 5 Questions + SPECIAL BONUS! (Episode 484)

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions about google ads from podcast subscribers. The questions cover important topics like how to improve Google...

PPC Basics: How to Improve Quality Score (Episode 483)

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to improve quality score in Google Ads search campaigns. Plus 9 things that do not improve quality score but m...

PPC Basics: How To Manage a Search Campaign (Episode 482)

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the best advice I can give to someone managing a Google Ads campaign. Management is all about setting a goal based on the Phase that you are in....

A Warning to 10+ Year Old Accounts (Episode 481)

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to avoid those wasteful clicks from job seekers. Also a deeper discussion and warning to accounts that are ove...

Huge Q&A About Google Ads (Episode 480)

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris answers four questions from listeners about Google certifications, how to see audience data, and a big question that many people are a...

How to Revive a Stale Campaign (Episode 479)

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses 5 specific tips to take a campaign from stale to stellar! Learn how most campaigns stay in "phase 2" and...

How to Stop Spam and Bot Traffic & Leads (Episode 478)

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we break down how to spot and stop spam traffic and leads before they drain your budget. We cover the risks of leaving Search Partner...

Answering Your Questions About Google Ads (Episode 477)

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about brand keywords and why they are the most dangerous and most abused traffic in Google Ads. We're answering emails from liste...

The Right Way to Use Audiences (Episode 476)

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What will Google look like 5 years from now? This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how AI will change the way people search and gather information and w...

When Automation Fails: Broad Match vs Manual Control in Google Ads (Episode 475)

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is a scam going around to Google Ads managers that could cause some major destruction for anyone that is caught by the scammers. In this episode...

Competitor Campaigns: When, Why, and How (Episode 474)

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about quality score, bidding, and competitor campaigns! This week we dive into a discussion on some of the more complicated factors in...

How to Audit a Failing Google Ads Account (Episode 473)

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you are having issues with a campaign on Google Ads that continues to offer no results, no conversions, and no sales today's episode can help ...

Answering Questions from Listeners! (Episode 472)

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions about Google Ads from listeners. He discusses how to manage accounts that use automated bidding, a questio...

Deep Dive: Successful E-Commerce Campaign Strategy (Episode 471)

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joey Bidner does a deep dive into a Google Ads account that focuses on e-commerce and local "foot traffic" searches to drive sales...

Cookie Consent Explained from a Google Ads Perspective (Episode 470)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joey Bidner discusses what Google Ads advertisers need to know about consent mode. You’ll learn why it is important for any website utilizing paid a...

The Budget Bulls-Eye Principle (Episode 469)

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know the right time to increase your budget? Is your budget causing your campaign to fail? In this week's episode Chris Schaeffer discusse...

Most Advertisers Get Audience Bid Adjustments Wrong (Episode 468)

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer & Joey Bidner discuss some important factors to consider when using audiences in Google Ads. Also answers questions from...

My Favorite Google Ads Script (Episode 467)

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Artur MacLellan shares his Google Ads script that can help advertisers manage their search terms. If you are having a lot of problems blocki...

9 Buttons You Should Never Click (Episode 466)

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Don't click on these 9 buttons in Google Ads. Search partners, fake conversions, TCPA bidding, competitor keywords, search not shopping, TROAS, e...

New Changes Coming to Google This Year (Episode 465)

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New updates from Google happening now. Learn what is new from campaign types and advertising changes happening in Google Ads this year. Also Chris Sch...

Optimization Score: 100% Compliant, 0% Profitable (Episode 464)

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is OPTIMIZATION SCORE and what does it mean for the success of your account? Well, very little actually. In fact, in this episode Chris Schaeffer...

Smart Bidding Fails Against Manual Bidding (Episode 463)

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is "smart bidding" really that smart? This week Chris discusses the results from an experiment where the smart bidding strategy failed in co...

Deep Dive: Looking at Metrics of a Successful Account (Episode 462)

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer dives deeper into the metrics of a successful account and answers questions about the reasons behind structural decisions in...

4 Ways To Manage Bad Traffic (Episode 461)

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn what to do when your Google Ads search campaign is getting a lot of unqualified, unwanted search terms. These 4 tips will help you wrangle your ...

Deep Dive: Looking At One of My Own Successful Campaigns (Episode 460)

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An amazing show discussing some very common questions about how to structure and Google Ads search campaign. This week Chris Schaeffer does a deep div...

Answering Questions about Google Ads (Episode 459)

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners about issues on concerning campaigns that mysteriously stop running, brand campaigns, and t...

I’m Sick of Scammers in Google Ads (Episode 458)

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Someone has to talk about the amount of dishonesty in the PPC world today. This week Chris Schaeffer discusses 4 ways scammers hook you and get you to...

YouTube Campaigns Are Changing (Episode 457)

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Changes coming to YouTube video campaigns, let's talk about that! Also a discussion about how to compete with big budgets. Is it even possible fo...

2025 Keyword Research & Imposter Syndrome (Episode 456)

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you do your keyword research? Let's talk about that! This week Chris Schaeffer discusses his method to keyword research using a 7 step pro...

Custom Labels in Google Ads Shopping (Episode 455)

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to build out a basic Google Ads strategy for vacation rentals. Using this strategy you can control your risk o...

Google’s Goals Are NOT Your Goals (Episode 454)

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about Google Ads! This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how your goals differ from Google's goals and why that is very important to...

Report Finds 80% Do Not Use Negative Keywords (Episode 453)

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a crazy new report we find that very few accounts use negative keywords in Performance Max campaigns. Even more shocking is that we learn those tha...

The Best Scripts to Use in Google Ads (Episode 452)

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What did you do last week? More about that and how to use scripts in this week's podcast episode! Joey Bidner joins Chris Schaeffer for a discuss...

Enhanced Conversions, Performance Max, & Micromanaging (Episode 451)

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about enhanced conversions, performance, micromanagement, and conversion tracking! This week on the Paid Search Podcast we discuss que...

How Google Ads Keyword Matching Works (Episode 450)

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you really understand how Google Ads works? This week Chris Schaeffer discusses the basics behind the very complex and changing system of how Googl...

Why Businesses Don’t Grow from PPC (Episode 449)

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we hear from Joey Bidner discussing NCAC, which is the measurement of new customer sales in your business. A very important metric that you ...

Bidding, ROAS, & AI (Episode 448)

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three questions from listeners are the topic of this week's show. The first question from Aaron is about an issue with bid adjustments causing pr...

How Successful are Ads on Google? (Episode 447)

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses the best way to approach a new account with a large amount of spend. Then we discuss the issue of the "other&...

Search Terms in Performance Max (Episode 446)

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we open with a question from a listener who is dealing with a crashing account. Chris discusses how to fix a Google Ads search campaign that...

Improving The Quality of Leads (Episode 445)

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about ways to improve the quality of your leads from Google Ads. This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners including ...

Let's Talk About Budgets in Google Ads (Episode 444)

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know what makes your campaign more likely to spend more? When should you consider increasing your budget? Do you know what makes a campaign inf...

5 New Tricks to Try in 2025 (Episode 443)

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Need to breathe new life in your Google Ads marketing strategy? Try one or all of these unique tricks to drive new traffic to your business.Try Opteo ...

The Worst Account I’ve Ever Seen (Episode 442)

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don't make these same mistakes! This week we take a look at three examples of accounts that made big mistakes and wasted thousands of dollars in ...

Answering Your Questions (Episode 441)

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Answering questions from listeners about Google Ads. Topics include solving an issue with conversion tracking, performance max questions, how to manag...

HVAC & A/C Lead Generation (Episode 440)

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HVAC campaigns in Google Ads are very difficult high spending accounts to manage. In today's episode Chris Schaeffer is talking about how you can...

These TRUTHS Will Never Change (Episode 439)

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is Google Ads confusing? Well today we are talking about 7 things that have never changed and will never change in Google Ads. These truths will alway...

Case Study: B2B & B2C (Episode 438)

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about two major categories and how they are different. Today's entire podcast is focused on a case study between business to busi...

How to Rank #1 on Google (Episode 437)

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following these simple steps you can get your ad to rank first on Google. It is easy to make a mistake in the very complex Google Ads system and waste...

Q&A - Answering Questions from Listeners (Episode 436)

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The major difference I see between good Google Ads accounts and great Google Ads accounts is in the way that they handle bidding. The proper bidding k...

Going from Good to GREAT (Episode 435)

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The major difference I see between good Google Ads accounts and great Google Ads accounts is in the way that they handle bidding. The proper bidding k...

Simple Alternative to Manual Bidding (Episode 434)

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This simple bidding strategy gives you a simple way to manage your ads on Google. It is a great alternative to manual bidding!Try Opteo for free for t...

My Favorite Keyword Hack (Episode 433)

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn more about keywords in Google Ads in this week's episode using my favorite keyword hack.Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.c...

Answering Questions from Listeners! (Episode 432)

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Joey Bidner’s YouTube Strategy for Success (Episode 431)

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspSpecial URL to use to avoid the YouTube display network placements: googleadsense_without_you...

9 Super Sneaky Settings That Waste Money (Episode 430)

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspHow to Turn Off Sneaky Settings: https://files.chrisschaeffer.com/sxlCMeNLChris Schaeffer - h...

Enhanced CPC is Going Away! (Episode 429)

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

The TRUTH About Max Conversions Bidding (Episode 428)

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

10 Principles Everyone Should Know: Part Three (Episode 427)

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

10 Principles Everyone Should Know: Part Two (Episode 426)

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

10 Principles Everyone Should Know: Part One (Episode 425)

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Questions from Listeners (Episode 424)

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Deep Dive into Assets with Joey Bidner (Episode 423)

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qPKq784a...

Getting Started: Advanced Steps (Episode 422)

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Getting Started: Next Steps (Episode 421)

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Getting Started: Beginner Basics (Episode #420)

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

The Best Tool No One Talks About (Episode #419)

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch thi...

ChatGPT: Talking to Your Data (Episode 418)

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch thi...

How to Audit Your Own Account (Episode 417)

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Discussing SEO and How it Affects PPC (Episode 416)

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comScott Redgate - https://www.scottredgate.comW...

Wasting Money on Search Partners? (Episode #415)

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Try Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Using the PANIC Button in Google Ads (Episode #414)

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Deep Dive into Call Ads (Episode #413)

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.comWatch thi...

Breaking Free from the Algorithm (Episode #412)

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

SKAG vs STAG (Episode #411)

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu....

Google Shopping Tips & Tricks (Episode #410)

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comJoey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/Watch Th...

8 Important Questions from Listeners (Episode #409)

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspGoogle Ads Management & Consulting - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch This Episode on ...

100% Impression Share (Episode #408)

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspGoogle Ads Management & Consulting - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch This Episode on ...

What Has Changed in 20 Years? (Episode #407)

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get Opteo for free for two months - https://opteo.com/pspGoogle Ads Management & Consulting - https://www.chrisschaeffer.comWatch This Episode on ...