Michael Marlin Jr.
@mikemarlin.com
Google Ads nerd, Dad, copywriter. Founder @marlinsem.com and @copyarmy. Making #ppc and #content with love. ❤️ https://www.mikemarlin.com
Some are worse than others, but generally speaking, businesses with limited budgets need to be very careful about following #googleads recommendations when creating their campaigns. #ppc
🚨 For many advertisers, these settings will waste your money and kill your chances of success from the start. #googleads
7 Default Settings in Google Ads to Avoid
In Google Ads, several default settings are preselected for you. In this post, I explain which settings to disable and why – especially if you have a limited Google Ads budget.
marlinsem.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Some are worse than others, but generally speaking, businesses with limited budgets need to be very careful about following #googleads recommendations when creating their campaigns. #ppc
Hidden search terms in Google Ads are back in the news, following a new report by @searchengineland.bsky.social. Here's how to check how much you're spending on these questionable clicks.
How Much Search Term Data is Google Ads Hiding from You?
Google hides up to 80% of search terms that trigger your ads. Here's how to check how many term are hidden from your account, and why it matters.
marlinsem.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Hidden search terms in Google Ads are back in the news, following a new report by @searchengineland.bsky.social. Here's how to check how much you're spending on these questionable clicks.
If you're getting spam leads from @GoogleAds, you're probably doing something wrong. 🤔 #ppc #googleads
Google Ads Bots & Spam: How to Stop It & Why It Happens
Are you receiving bogus clicks and spam leads from Google Ads? In this post, I explain how to stop Google Ads bots & spam -- and why it happens in the first place.
marlinsem.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
If you're getting spam leads from @GoogleAds, you're probably doing something wrong. 🤔 #ppc #googleads
Most important: Don’t let your ticket be closed until you have a resolution. #googleads
Google Ads support is not what it used to be. 😩 But there are ways to get your ticket in front of the right people. ✅
Proven Tactics for Getting Better Google Ads Support
Google Ads support can be frustrating, but there are ways to get your case escalated. In this post, I share my most effective tactics for getting better help from support reps.
marlinsem.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Most important: Don’t let your ticket be closed until you have a resolution. #googleads
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
Google Ads support is not what it used to be. 😩 But there are ways to get your ticket in front of the right people. ✅
Proven Tactics for Getting Better Google Ads Support
Google Ads support can be frustrating, but there are ways to get your case escalated. In this post, I share my most effective tactics for getting better help from support reps.
marlinsem.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Google Ads support is not what it used to be. 😩 But there are ways to get your ticket in front of the right people. ✅
How to turn it off (and why). 🤓 #GoogleAds
How to Turn Off Expansion and Optimized Targeting in Google Ads
Here's how to turn off audience expansion and optimized targeting in Google Ads (and why it matters).
marlinsem.com
March 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
How to turn it off (and why). 🤓 #GoogleAds
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
Want more control over who sees your Display ads in #GoogleAds? Turn off optimized targeting. Here's how.
How to Turn Off Expansion and Optimized Targeting in Google Ads
Here's how to turn off audience expansion and optimized targeting in Google Ads (and why it matters).
marlinsem.com
March 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Want more control over who sees your Display ads in #GoogleAds? Turn off optimized targeting. Here's how.
We've heard it all. Here are the facts. #ppcchat #googleads
8 Misconceptions about Google Ads for Small Business
See common misconceptions about using Google Ads for a small business and why it's so crucial to set the right expectations.
marlinsem.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:50 PM
We've heard it all. Here are the facts. #ppcchat #googleads
We've updated our most popular post from 2024 to reflect another common PMax problem: SPAM #googleads
7 Reasons Not to Use Performance Max in Google Ads
Are You Considering Performance Max Ads for Your Small Business? Be Careful. Here are 7 Reasons Not to Use PMax for Google Ads (and Why).
marlinsem.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
We've updated our most popular post from 2024 to reflect another common PMax problem: SPAM #googleads
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
New reason #7: Spam and bot traffic. 😩 Here's what you need to consider before using Performance Max in #GoogleAds
7 Reasons Not to Use Performance Max in Google Ads
Are You Considering Performance Max Ads for Your Small Business? Be Careful. Here are 7 Reasons Not to Use PMax for Google Ads (and Why).
marlinsem.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
New reason #7: Spam and bot traffic. 😩 Here's what you need to consider before using Performance Max in #GoogleAds
🚨 Did you know there's a hidden section of auto-asset settings in #GoogleAds (which can alter your ads even if all other auto-apply recommendations are disabled?)
To turn them off, go to: Assets > More > Account-Level Automated Assets > More > Advanced Settings 😩
To turn them off, go to: Assets > More > Account-Level Automated Assets > More > Advanced Settings 😩
February 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
🚨 Did you know there's a hidden section of auto-asset settings in #GoogleAds (which can alter your ads even if all other auto-apply recommendations are disabled?)
To turn them off, go to: Assets > More > Account-Level Automated Assets > More > Advanced Settings 😩
To turn them off, go to: Assets > More > Account-Level Automated Assets > More > Advanced Settings 😩
Here's a handy cheat sheet for choosing negative keyword match types in #googleads #ppcchat
In #GoogleAds, negative keyword match types function differently than their positive counterparts. Here's a handy cheat sheet. 🙌 #ppc
Negative Keyword Match Types in Google Ads (Cheat Sheet & Printable PDF)
In Google Ads, choosing negative keyword match types is not always intuitive. That’s partly because the negative match types don’t function the same as their positive counterparts.
In this post, I e...
marlinsem.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Here's a handy cheat sheet for choosing negative keyword match types in #googleads #ppcchat
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
In #GoogleAds, negative keyword match types function differently than their positive counterparts. Here's a handy cheat sheet. 🙌 #ppc
Negative Keyword Match Types in Google Ads (Cheat Sheet & Printable PDF)
In Google Ads, choosing negative keyword match types is not always intuitive. That’s partly because the negative match types don’t function the same as their positive counterparts.
In this post, I e...
marlinsem.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
In #GoogleAds, negative keyword match types function differently than their positive counterparts. Here's a handy cheat sheet. 🙌 #ppc
February 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
This isn't news to most of us in the #ppc community. But advertisers need to be aware of missing search term data and how to investigate it. #ppctalk #googleads
A recent report revealed that Google Ads is hiding up to 80% of search term data from advertisers. 😱 Here’s how to check how much is missing from your campaigns (and why it matters). #googleads
How Much Search Term Data is Google Ads Hiding from You?
A recent report in Search Engine Land estimates that Google Ads is hiding between 20% to 80% of search term data from advertisers. While this is not news for most of us in the Google Ads community, it...
marlinsem.com
September 23, 2024 at 12:49 PM
This isn't news to most of us in the #ppc community. But advertisers need to be aware of missing search term data and how to investigate it. #ppctalk #googleads
I nearly shrieked when I saw all the broad match keywords in my client's #GoogleAds campaign. 😱 But I was even more shocked when I saw the CPAs ...
Have We Been Too Harsh on Broad Match Keywords?
Broad match keywords have long been viewed as the rotten egg of match types in Google Ads. Due to their loose keyword targeting (and the high risk of wasting money on unwanted clicks), broad match is ...
marlinsem.com
August 19, 2024 at 7:38 PM
I nearly shrieked when I saw all the broad match keywords in my client's #GoogleAds campaign. 😱 But I was even more shocked when I saw the CPAs ...
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
Have we? 🤔
Have We Been Too Harsh on Broad Match Keywords?
Broad match keywords have long been viewed as the rotten egg of match types in Google Ads. Due to their loose keyword targeting (and the high risk of wasting money on unwanted clicks), broad match is ...
marlinsem.com
August 19, 2024 at 7:36 PM
Have we? 🤔
August 12, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Oldie but a goodie. 🤓
June 19, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Oldie but a goodie. 🤓
Reposted by Michael Marlin Jr.
A simple tip so you don't need to click over to the Conversions page or Reports. #ppcchat #googleads
How to View Conversion Actions in Campaign View (Google Ads)
View your conversion actions as a table row
Here’s a simple little tip for checking which conversion actions your ads are generating in Google Ads – without clicking off the page.
You can view your c...
marlinsem.com
June 19, 2024 at 12:57 PM
A simple tip so you don't need to click over to the Conversions page or Reports. #ppcchat #googleads
In my latest blog post, I tackle one of the most common questions from first-time advertisers: "How much should we spend on #GoogleAds?"
marlinsem.com/how-much-sho...
marlinsem.com/how-much-sho...
June 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM
In my latest blog post, I tackle one of the most common questions from first-time advertisers: "How much should we spend on #GoogleAds?"
marlinsem.com/how-much-sho...
marlinsem.com/how-much-sho...
May 7, 2024 at 5:25 PM
9 times out of 10, I do NOT recommend Performance Max in #GoogleAds for small businesses with limited budgets.
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...
🚨 Before you spend any money on Performance Max in #GoogleAds, read this.
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...
6 Reasons Not Use Performance Max in Google Ads | MarlinSEM
Google says that AI-powered ad campaigns like Performance Max are “the future” of Google Ads. But that doesn’t mean Performance Max is a good fit for every business.
In a recent post, we evaluated Pe...
marlinsem.com
April 19, 2024 at 6:41 PM
9 times out of 10, I do NOT recommend Performance Max in #GoogleAds for small businesses with limited budgets.
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...
marlinsem.com/reasons-not-...