Is Google Ads Giving Us More Control? | EP 128 Highlights

In Episode 137 I hand a real e-commerce store’s Merchant Center feed to Claude and let it run a full audit. Then I fix what I can live, using supplemental feeds, without touching the store.Timestamps03:55 What to Give Claude06:40 Navigating Google Merchant Center09:58 PRE-BFCM Feed ChecklistGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 136 Gene breaks down what conversion lag in your Google Ads campaigns looks like and how to approach it.Timestamps02:53 What Is Conversion Lag?03:31 Why Your Monthly Reports Can Change05:20 How Data-Driven Attribution Plays a Role06:27 Why This Matters for Optimization08:02 What PPC Managers Should Do10:26 Closing TakeawayGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 135 we recap Gene & Ryan's best advice on how to approach your Google Ads Lead-Gen.Timestamps00:12 Targeting the Wrong Keywords01:53 Your Budget is Too Small04:56 You're Looking at the Wrong Metrics07:08 Your LANDING Pages Are So Important11:18 How to Make Your Landing Page AttractiveGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 134 we go over the best AI workflows to utilize for analyzing Google Ads (thanks to Opteo).Timestamps01:55 How I use Opteo's AI Chat to streamline weekly Google Ads audits.02:26 The exact prompt I use to generate prioritized optimization to-do lists.05:03 Finding wasted spend and opportunities for better negative keyword strategies.06:30 How I evaluate AI recommendations before making actual account changes.08:50 Why AI works best as an assistant rather than a replacement for PPC experience.Gene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 133 we recap what to do before using Manual CPC, and how it compares against automated bidding in Google Ads.Timestamps00:29 Before You Use Manual CPC 00:35 Start with Intentional Bids02:05 Watch Search Terms, Impression Volume & Actual CPC05:06 Let Conversion Data Determine Where You Raise and Lower Bids08:37 The Bigger Point09:46 Manual CPC vs Smart Bidding10:02 When Should We Use Manual CPC11:03 Automated Bidding Needs Good Data12:15 When Automated Bidding Usually Makes Sense12:59 When I'd Consider Manual CPC16:50 Manual CPC Doesn't Fix a Bad Campaign19:49 PPC Cave ChecklistGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 132, we talk about what happens when a Google Ads account needs to scale down instead of scale up — and why clients sometimes expect performance to stay exactly the same after a significant budget reduction.Timestamps03:09 Why Google Ads accounts don't always grow in a straight line04:57 When reducing budget is actually the responsible move06:35 Why cutting spend can reduce total lead volume even when efficiency improves07:38 The difference between efficiency and total revenue08:50 Why you can't always cut 25% of the budget and expect 100% of the previous resultsGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 131 Gene jumps into differences business owners and google ads managers should all be aware of when it comes to Google Ads vs Meta Ads.Timestamps02:56 WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS?04:16 META AND GOOGLE ARE DOING DIFFERENT JOBS05:45 WHY "JUST DOUBLE THE BUDGET" CAN BACKFIRE07:31 GOOGLE ADS IS A SYSTEM08:35 ROAS EXPECTATIONS SHOULDN'T ALWAYS BE THE SAME10:34 META AND GOOGLE ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHERGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 130 Gene dives into 3 important steps to take before using Manual CPC.Timestamps02:50 Start With Intentional Bids — Don’t Just Guess05:36 Watch Search Terms, Impression Volume & Actual CPC08:37 Let Conversion Data Determine Where You Raise and Lower Bids12:09 The Bigger PointGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In Episode 129 Gene answers a listener question on how to go about getting your first Google Ads client.Timestamps02:25 Being Good at Google Ads vs. Getting Someone to Pay You04:26 How Do You Prove You're Good Without Using Your Agency's Clients?06:58 Where I'd Actually Look for the First Client10:42 Content vs. Paid Ads — I'd Keep Posting and Skip Meta for Now12:07 The 90-Day Game Plan16:09 ClosingGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave

In our Episode 128 recap we highlight some of Gene & Ryan's most memorable points from Episode 128, covering Google's decision for Pmax to add channel prioritization controls.Timestamps00:14 What’s New02:04 Why This Matters03:41 PPC Cave DiscussionGene & Ryan are digital marketing professionals and co-hosts of The PPC Cave — a podcast focused on Google Ads, PPC, lead generation, eCommerce, Performance Max, shopping campaigns, and digital marketing strategies.We break down real-world Google Ads management, campaign optimization, industry news, Reddit questions, client scenarios, and advertising strategies for both lead gen and eCommerce brands.For Google Ads questions or business inquiries: [email protected]: reddit.com/r/ThePPCCaveYouTube:youtube.com/@UCLLY4cj6iCDwK0vHEEGP9nw TikTok: tiktok.com/@ThePPCCaveInstagram: instagram.com/ThePPCCaveRyan: caseflowppc.comGene: fiverr.com/gene_villanoztempus59.com www.instagram.com/tempus__59Subscribe and tune into The PPC Cave for weekly PPC conversations, strategies, and insights.OpteoFree 28 day trial!https://www.Opteo.com/ThePPCcave