Common Google Ads Issues (And How to Fix Them Fast)

Most Google Ads problems fall into predictable patterns that silently kill performance. The good news is that fixing 2-3 key issues can often double your results. Here are the most common problems and their fast fixes to get your campaigns back on track quickly.

Fix Performance Problems Fast

If you’ve got low CTR, it’s usually because your ads aren’t what people are searching for – they want something specific and you didn’t match it. Check that your headlines include the target keyword. Your display path should look relevant too – and never forget to address the searcher’s specific needs. If someone searches for “cheap running shoes”, your ad should mention affordable prices.

If your CPA is high, it’s usually from poor targeting, aggressive bidding, or weak landing pages. Check your bidding strategy first – make sure it matches your goals. Maximized conversions without a target CPA can drive costs up quickly. You don’t want to reach irrelevant audiences either – so review your targeting.

No impressions means no one saw your ads – at all. Use the “Diagnostics” tab to see why – and check for disapprovals or budget spent too early. And see if your targeting is broad enough – when it’s too narrow, it won’t work.

Poor Quality Score hurts both your ad position and costs – avoid it at all costs. Your keywords, ad copy, and landing page content need to match – if you're bidding on "plumber Chicago," you need to mention Chicago plumbing services. Your landing page should feature Chicago plumber information, not something generic.

Solve Tracking and Technical Issues

Missing conversions often indicate tracking problems – not campaign performance issues. Validate that your conversion tags are firing correctly using Google Tag Assistant or the Google Ads preview tool. Check Google Tag Manager for configuration errors.

Verify your conversion actions are set up correctly with appropriate attribution windows and counting methods. Lead generation businesses should typically count "one per click" while ecommerce should count "every conversion."