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It’s no secret that organic methods such as SEO, social media, and content do produce results, but they can take more time and effort, while paid sources allow you to test offers and get conversions much faster. Google Ads, the largest advertising platform in the world, is considered one of the most effective tools.
According to Statista, Google’s advertising revenue in 2023 amounted to more than $224 billion. This is the largest source of paid traffic for businesses and, consequently, one of the key sources for affiliates.
To use affiliate marketing on Google, you need to understand which advertising formats are available, which niches are the most profitable, and what restrictions Google imposes; all can be found in the article by Affroom team!
What are Google Ads and why choose them for affiliate marketing?
Google Ads is a so-called Google affiliate network in affiliate marketing that includes search ads, banner ads, video ads on YouTube, and the Google Display Network partner network.
Unlike social networks, where users are more often in the so-called scrolling mode, Google’s audience forms an explicit query in the search bar. This makes the traffic highly conversion-oriented.
Pros of using Google Ads for affiliate marketing:
- High testing speed.
Unlike SEO or other organic methods, the results are visible in the early days of the campaign. - Relevant audience.
Users are already looking for a product or solution, which means they have a high level of purchase intention. - Transparent analytics.
The system provides data on clicks, CTR, CPC, and conversions, which allows you to quickly optimize your campaign. - Scalability.
Successful combinations can be scaled by increasing your budget and expanding your reach.
According to Wordstream statistics, the average CTR for search ads in 2024 was 6.11%. In some verticals, such as financial services and SaaS, CTR and conversion rates are significantly higher.
What types of Google Ads exist in affiliate marketing?
So, how to use Google Ads for affiliate marketing? Google Ads provides several advertising formats.
The following are most applicable for affiliate marketing:
- Search Ads.
Text ads that appear at the top of the search results. They are optimal for promoting offers with high purchase intentions. - Display Ads.
They are posted on partner sites. They are more often used for remarketing or brand coverage. - YouTube Ads.
The video format allows you to promote products that require explanation (for example, SaaS and educational platforms). - Shopping Ads.
Designed for e-commerce and products that are available in the Google Merchant Center. They are of little use for affiliates.
Tip for newbies: It’s better to start with Search Ads, as it is this format that provides the most transparent analytics and allows you to build campaigns around keywords with commercial intent.
Main niches for Google Ads to choose for marketers
Not all offers are equally profitable for working through Google Ads. CPC varies depending on the niche, and if the payout is too small and the CPC is high, then the vertical can turn out to be unprofitable.
According to Wordstream research there are several top niches:
- Finance (loans, banking products, insurance).
The cost per click can reach $50-60. At the same time, the CPA in these segments is also high, which makes them profitable for affiliates with a large budget. - Software.
In the SaaS and VPN segment, the average CPC ranges from $2 to $6, but the client’s LTV can be significantly higher. - Education (online courses, language schools).
Here the cost per click is in the range of $1-4, which makes it attractive for beginners. - Tourism.
Tourism and travel traditionally remain in demand, although CPC can grow strongly during peak seasons.
Google Ads policy: what’s important to know?
Google strictly regulates advertising campaigns. Violation of the rules threatens to ban the account, and in most cases it is impossible to restore it.
Basic rules for google ads affiliate marketing:
- Ban on direct links.
Wondering how to promote affiliate links on google? You can’t specify a direct affiliate URL in your ad. An intermediate landing page is required. - Transparency is crucial.
The website should contain unique content, not just a “buy” button. - Prohibited categories.
Gambling, adult, and nutra offers are under strict control. - Cloaking is prohibited.
The domain in the ad and the final URL must match. - Misleading language can’t be used.
For example, promises of “getting rich fast” or “miraculous weight loss” will lead to the ads bans.
The full rules are available in the Google Ads Policy Center!
Main tips to start with Google Ads in affiliate marketing
In order not to lose the budget in the first days of the tests, you should follow several principles:
- Use buyer intent keywords: queries that include “best”, “buy”, and “review”.
- Configure conversion tracking via Google Tag Manager or Google Analytics: without this, the campaign will be “blind”.
- Add negative keywords to exclude irrelevant impressions.
- Run a campaign with a small budget: $20-50 per day is enough to collect statistics.
- Create high-quality landing pages: fast, informative, with a clear CTA.
Frequent mistakes that Google Ads affiliates make
There are several mistakes that affiliates make when getting started with Google ads, we’ve made a list of them to protect you in advance.
- Keywords that are too wide (for example, “VPN”) instead of more precise ones (“best VPN for Netflix”).
- No list of negative keywords, which is why the budget is spent on irrelevant queries.
- Weak landing page: slow loading, poor design, lack of information.
- Violation of Google Ads rules (clickbait, cloaking), which leads to a ban.
- Lack of tracking: without data, it is impossible to understand which keywords work.
- Dramatically scaling up the campaign to achieve stable conversions.
FAQ on Google ads in affiliate marketing
Can you use Google Ads for affiliate marketing?
Yes, you can. But you can’t use direct links, you need an intermediary site.
Is affiliate marketing allowed on Google Ads?
Yes, but only in permitted niches and in compliance with the rules.
What are the rules for running affiliate campaigns on Google Ads?
Ads and landing pages should be transparent, without deception and prohibited topics.
What niches work best for Google Ads affiliate marketing?
Finance, SaaS, Education, Travel.
Conclusion
Using Google Ads for affiliate marketing remains one of the most reliable ways to get paid traffic. Despite the strict rules, the platform provides access to an audience with high purchase intent and allows you to quickly test offers.
The main mistake of newbies is trying to circumvent the rules and scaling too fast. The right strategy is to test, analyze, and gradually increase the budget. In this case, affiliate marketing with Google Ads can become a stable and scalable source of income.
