One of the sneakiest mistakes that we see in Google Ads is the use of duplicate keywords. On the surface, it feels harmless. After all, Ads lets you use the same keyword across different campaigns or ad groups. But here’s the catch: doing so often works against you.
When duplicate keywords are in play, your ads essentially compete with each other. Google will only show one version of your ad for that search term, which means you miss out on visibility you could have had if your campaigns were structured more thoughtfully. And because your own ads are in competition, the cost per click can creep up unnecessarily.
Google actually addresses this in their Improve Your Keywords for the Search Network guide, and it’s worth a read if you want the full picture. But the takeaway is simple: eliminate duplicates. Doing so not only saves money, it gives you cleaner campaigns and stronger performance.
The best way forward? Organize your campaigns logically, group your keywords with intention, and pay close attention to match types, especially when working with long-tail keywords. It’s a small adjustment that pays big dividends.
If your campaigns aren’t working, call the professionals at TryAds for help!