{"id":2093,"date":"2024-08-08T20:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T20:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/?p=2093"},"modified":"2025-02-27T22:07:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:07:09","slug":"spy-on-rival-google-ads-for-0-avoid-6-common-errors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/ppc\/spy-on-rival-google-ads-for-0-avoid-6-common-errors\/","title":{"rendered":"Spy on Rival Google Ads for $0 (&amp; Avoid 6 Common Errors)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Spying on your competitors\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/ppc-management-agency\/google-ads\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/ppc-management-agency\/google-ads\">Google Ads<\/a> strategies is sometimes (though not always) a great way to improve your own campaign effectiveness. The challenge is in identifying the best competitor monitoring and analysis methods to use, and the situations in which to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Ian Malcolm says in Jurassic Park, people are often, \u201cso preoccupied with whether they could, they didn\u2019t stop to think if they should.\u201d He was talking about reversing dinosaur extinction, but as everyone knows, that\u2019s a feat no less complicated than running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/ppc-management-agency\/google-ads\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/ppc-management-agency\/google-ads\">profitable Google Ads campaigns.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of marketers either don\u2019t know or won\u2019t reveal the most effective competitor analysis tactics to improve ROAS (return on advertising spend). So, we\u2019re going to share some of those strategies. This SparkLaunch guide gives you a step-by-step guide on how to get the lowdown on your competitors ad campaigns, when you should (and shouldn\u2019t) care, and even the best alternatives to spy tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The \u201cShould We\u201d of Competitor Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we spill the secrets of spying on your competitors\u2019 Google Ads, you need to determine when competitor analysis is a strategic move for your small business and when it might be more of a distraction. This helps you make informed decisions tailored to your specific circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to rely on competitor analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Before entering a new market: If you\u2019re trying to fulfill a need in a new market, it\u2019s wise to gather intelligence on your potential buyers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During strategic planning cycles (eg: year reviews): Understanding how to see competitors\u2019 Google Ads during these planning phases gives you a competitive edge to refine your approach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>When there are noticeable shifts in consumer behavior: By analyzing your competitors\u2019 advertising and sales hacks, you can strive to develop superior strategies that match evolving consumer trends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you\u2019ve already tried everything else: If you\u2019ve already tried everything else in your marketing toolkit with little success, spying on your competitors can be a good tactic to achieve those challenging ROAS targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When NOT to rely on it:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>When starting out with limited resources: Consider focusing on low-resource activities like defining your target audience and building organically when starting with limited resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When market conditions are stable and well-understood: If things are sailing smoothly in the market and sales angle, a random competitor analysis might be an unnecessary drain on resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you have a unique value proposition: Stay true to your brand\u2019s identity, even if the big players in the market are taking a different route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When customer focus is lost:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zendesk.com\/blog\/what-is-customer-focus\/#:~:text=A%20lack%20of%20customer%20focus,multiple%20bad%20customer%20service%20experiences.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">76% of consumers&nbsp;<\/a>would switch to a competitor after enduring multiple bad customer service experiences. Build a customer-centric culture instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When your business goals are different: Your competitors might have different aspirations. Competitor analysis may not be the answer if your business objectives are significantly different from those of your competitors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Methods for Competitor Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Competitor analysis doesn\u2019t have to come with a hefty price tag. There are free and effective ways to spy on competitors\u2019 Google ads and find competitors\u2019 display ads free. We\u2019ll walk you through two of these methods below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Method 1: Google Ads Auction Insights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re contemplating whether to bid on your brand keywords in Google Ads. Before making any decisions, use Auction Insights. You shouldn\u2019t just rely on what you see in your own test searches because you might be getting a different set of results compared to what others see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Auction Insights report is accessible for Search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to start using Auction Insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Access Auction Insights<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy001.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4863\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Head to your Google Ads account and navigate to the Campaigns, Ad groups, or Search keywords page based on the specific information you\u2019re seeking in the report.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy002.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4862\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>For Search campaigns, Auction Insights reports six distinct statistics. Here\u2019s how to interpret the data you see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impression Share<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Impressions received \/ Estimated impressions eligible to receive<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/google-ads\/answer\/7103314\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">impression share<\/a>&nbsp;is how often your ads showed up compared to the total number of eligible impressions. Note that the report won\u2019t display if the impression share is less than 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overlap Rate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Percentage of times another advertiser\u2019s ad shows when yours does<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This metric tells you how often a competitor\u2019s ad appears when yours does. For example, a 60% overlap rate means the competitor\u2019s ad showed in 6 out of 10 instances when your ad did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Outranking Share<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Percentage of times your ad ranked higher than a competitor\u2019s.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outranking share indicates how often your ad triumphs over a competitor\u2019s in the auction. A 20% outranking share means your ad ranked higher in 2 out of 10 instances when both were shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Position Above Rate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Percentage of times a competitor\u2019s ad was shown in a higher position than yours.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This metric reveals how often a competitor\u2019s ad outperformed yours in terms of position. A 5% position above rate means the competitor\u2019s ad appeared in a higher position in 5 out of 100 instances when both were displayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top of Page Rate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Percentage of times your ad was shown above organic search results<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Top of page rate indicates how often your ad secured a position above the organic search results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Absolute Top of Page Rate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Formula: Percentage of times your ad was shown as the very first ad above organic search results<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Absolute top of page rate reveals how often your ad held the cherished first position above organic search results. If, out of 100 impressions, your ad appeared the first 10 times, the Absolute top of page rate is 10%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips to improve your Auction Insights data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Verify that the domains appearing in your auction insights are indeed your competitors. If not, it could signal poor targeting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exclude terms wisely. For instance, exclude exact match brand terms rather than broad match to maintain visibility across various brand variants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boost your ad rank by implementing effective bidding strategies. A higher bid, coupled with a quality ad, can significantly enhance your performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concentrate on metrics most relevant to your goals. Understand what matters to your business and tailor your analysis accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Note<\/em>: If your Auction Insights are not showing your stats at all, check the date range and campaign eligibility to ensure your campaign meets the requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Method 2: SpyFu + Google Ads Transparency Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another option is to combine data from SpyFu\u2019s limited free capabilities and the Google Ads Transparency Center. This dynamic duo can provide a comprehensive view of your competitors\u2019 strategies, giving you a strategic edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SpyFu\u2019s free trial offers a wealth of information, and the best part is, you can get started with just your email address. While the premium membership unlocks more features, the free version provides ample data to understand your competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Create an Account<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy003.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4861\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Open an account with SpyFu using your email address and answer a few questions about your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Enter Domain<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy004-e1705333032444-1024x339.png?resize=800%2C265&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4860\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the search bar, input your domain or competitor\u2019s, and hit search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SpyFu will then display your monthly domain overview and a list of up to 8 competing domains, along with their organic and paid keyword information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the result in this example where we input<em>&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spyfu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>www.spyfu.com<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>as our initial domain:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy005.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4859\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: PPC Research<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Head to the PPC Research section to analyze your competitors\u2019 targeted keywords, rankings, and the traffic and revenue generated from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Important metrics to pay attention to here include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>View PPC keywords: Number of keywords each domain advertises on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>View Paid Clicks: Estimated clicks each domain gets from those ads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>View Ad Budge: Estimated ad budget.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To interpret the chart, pay attention to the color-coded lines representing each competitor.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy006.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4858\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>This chart looks pretty normal with no dramatic tides. Apart from the fact that Semrush appears to be owning a larger part of the paid keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, you can filter by duration to see if there\u2019s been any serious change over a longer period.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy008.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4856\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But in this case, notice a rising trend which shows sling.com (yellow line) started to do something differently after that dip in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our initial example, Semrush (green line) has around the same number of paid ads from May to December.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy008-e1705333340161-1024x470.png?resize=800%2C367&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4856\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Yet when we view their paid clicks within the same period, there\u2019s a drop from 19.8k to 9.96k.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what happened there? Did they reduce their ad budget? Change keywords? Work on their ad copy?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/soy011-e1705333453787-1024x502.png?resize=800%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4853\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Luckily, you can view their Ad Budget right here. For Semrush, there was a slight budget increase from May to August. Then we see a drop in September and a rise in the trend in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprisingly, Semrush\u2019s clicks suffered the most when their budget went up in December. So maybe the problem was with the ads?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy013-e1705333559189-1024x288.png?resize=800%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4851\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>We can answer questions like this by clicking through to see how a domain\u2019s ad copy and the keywords they target have evolved. This information is available in the Ad History section.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy014-e1705333616958-1024x504.png?resize=800%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4850\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Here, the Most Profitable Ads and Keywords section shows how a domain\u2019s strongest ad copy evolved. This provides insights into their strongest messages and the performance of specific variations across keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also the Kombat report that allows you to compare your keywords from multiple competitors and see where you have overlaps, advantages, or gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy015.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4849\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>They break down the keywords into segments that tell you what you can do with them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Core Keywords: Common keywords among all listed competitors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider Buying: Keywords competitors are buying but you aren\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Possible Ad Waste: Terms your domain buys, but competitors don\u2019t.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Pro Tip:<\/em>&nbsp;Set recommended terms under Possible Ad Waste to negative match to avoid potential dead ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Venn diagram is to help you visualize overlaps of keywords that domains share, and the segments show you how many keywords are in store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SpyFu is a versatile tool, and there\u2019s no limit to how long you can use it for free. So, explore beyond the big names to uncover additional SEM competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While SpyFu offers a comprehensive analysis of your competitors\u2019 ad history, Google Ads Transparency Center provides an additional layer of insight into their current active ads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to leverage it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Visit the Google Ads Transparency Center<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Open the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/adstransparency.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Transparency Center<\/a>&nbsp;and customize search settings based on your preferences, such as ad formats, topics, and time frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Enter Competitors\u2019 URL or Name:<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy017.png?resize=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4847\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Type your competitors\u2019 URL or select from the drop-down after typing their name. We use Amazon in this example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Verify Ads:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure you\u2019re viewing the correct ads by checking for the verified business icon beneath the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Insights from the Google Ads Transparency Center can help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Analyze competitors\u2019 messaging across different channels. Assess visuals, offers, and their impact on performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify which funnel stages competitors prioritize in their messaging and campaigns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncover the core keywords your competitors emphasize in their headline structures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn about the regions where your competitors\u2019 ads have been shown and the audiences they target.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Bonus tip<\/em>: Install the free Keyword Surfer extension for Chrome\/Edge to discover more keywords with ads.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy022.png?resize=800%2C630&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4864\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember, if your ads don\u2019t load, check for ad blockers. By combining SpyFu\u2019s historical data with real-time insights from the Google Ads Transparency Center, you can craft a holistic competitor analysis strategy that not only improves your ads but enhances your overall digital marketing approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Mistakes in Competitor Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know how to find competitors\u2019 keywords in Google ads and are equipped with powerful tools for competitor analysis. Yet, common errors can undermine your efforts. Here are six mistakes you should avoid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Misinterpreting Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Misinterpreting data can lead to misguided decisions. Ensure a clear understanding of metrics like impression share, clicks, and budgets to make informed choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ignoring Ad Copy and Creativity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t focus solely on the technical aspects; tap into creative formulas and seek inspiration from various sources to make your ads stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Image Source: Chase Dimond on LinkedIn<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Over-Focusing on Competitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to get lost in the sea of competitors\u2019 ads. Avoid obsessive scrolling and limit your focus to a few key insights. Learn from what works, then move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Neglecting Own Data Analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy020-e1705335133607-1024x395.png?resize=800%2C309&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4844\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When using Google competitor analysis tools or features like SpyFu\u2019s Kombat, initiate the search with your domain. The recommendations are based on your input, allowing for more accurate insights into keywords to consider buying or removing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overlooking Audience Overlap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not every big name in your industry should be on your competitive analysis list. Use tools like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/support.similarweb.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360018928698-Analyze-Audience-Overlap#:~:text=How%20to%20use,audience%20it%20represents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SimilarWeb<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/business\/help\/1679591828938781?id=176276233019487&amp;_rdc=1&amp;_rdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta&nbsp;<\/a>to identify audience overlap and ensure your efforts aren\u2019t wasted on competitors whose audience aligns minimally with yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Misjudging Competitor Budgets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bidding budgets are confidential, so don\u2019t attempt shady math to estimate them. Instead, monitor ad placements. If competitors consistently appear at the top, they might be bidding aggressively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Alternatives: Performance Improvements Without Competitor Spying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Diversifying your approach ensures you make improvements beyond figuring out how to see competitors google ads. Consider these approaches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local Search Optimization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With approximately&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webfx.com\/local-seo\/statistics\/#:~:text=46%25%20of%20Google%20searches%20are%20for%20local%20businesses&amp;text=People%20rely%20on%20Google%20to,traffic%20looking%20for%20your%20organization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">46% of Google searches targeting local businesses<\/a>, you need to optimize for local search. Maximize your visibility by tailoring your Google Ads to local audiences, to gain a competitive edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creative A\/B Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ad expert Savannah Sanchez highlights the impact of A\/B testing, especially in the initial seconds of ads.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparklaunch.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/spy023-e1705335427102-1024x438.png?resize=800%2C342&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4865\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lennapricezitter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lenna<\/a>&nbsp;also recommends conducting qualitative analysis alongside quantitative A\/B testing and documenting learnings for future improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Journey Analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Google,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkwithgoogle.com\/consumer-insights\/consumer-trends\/customer-journey-needs-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">89% of successful businesses<\/a>&nbsp;say anticipating customer needs and providing assistive experiences along the customer journey are critical to growth. Apply A\/B tests to elements in the customer journey, so you can measure their impact and focus your efforts where they matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emerging Market Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the opportunities in emerging markets, competition is often more fragile, with local companies as formidable rivals. Global businesses use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/375795024_Global_Marketing_Emerging_Market_Economies'_Challenges_Opportunities_and_Effective_Marketing_Strategy_for_Success#:~:text=Successful%20global%20firms,et%20al.%2C%202008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these six tactics<\/a>&nbsp;to win in evolving economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Monitoring competitors\u2019 Google Ads is just one out of the dozens of elements required for breakout marketing. Successful businesses recognize that improving ROAS and reducing paid marketing costs is a long-term, ongoing process, not a one-time effort. If these are important priories at your business, you should definitely check out our data-driven guide to&nbsp;how PPC compares to SEO in 2024, and how the costs and benefits of each method stack up for small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need a hand with Google Ads set up or management? Let our pros at SparkLaunch help you, with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalposition.com\/ppc-management-agency\/\">PPC campaigns that deliver incredible results<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spying on your competitors\u2019 Google Ads strategies is sometimes (though not always) a great way to improve your own campaign effectiveness. The challenge is in identifying the best competitor monitoring and analysis methods to use, and the situations in which to use them. As Ian Malcolm says in Jurassic Park, people are often, \u201cso preoccupied&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":2166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"thumbnail_src":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image-12-300x165.png","thumbnail_medium_src":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image-12-768x424.png","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image-12.png","author_avatar_src":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/elliot.webp","author_name":"Elliot Tousley","category_labels":["PPC"],"tag_labels":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2093"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2719,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093\/revisions\/2719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.digitalposition.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}