Top Google Ads Interview Questions and Answers
Are you getting ready for an interview dealing with Google Ads? If you’re new to Google Ads or have experience as a digital marketer, it’s essential to know how to express your knowledge and experience clearly.
This article is designed to help you practice your responses to famous Google Ads interview questions — in a conversational, “Q & A” style — so that you can feel confident in a real-life scenario.
Table of Contents
What is Google Ads, and why do businesses use it?
Question:
What exactly is Google Ads, and why do companies spend so much on it?
Answer:
Google Ads (previously Google AdWords) is an advertising service by Google that allows advertisers to display ads on Google and its advertising network.
If you have ever searched for a term and seen ads at the top of the results, those are Google Ads. Many businesses use this service because it is measurable, targetable, and scalable. It is also sometimes referred to as pay-per-click (ppc) because you only pay if someone clicks on the ad.
If you mention Google Ads in an interview, it now uses AI automation, audience target, and smart bidding to help drive better Performance in your campaigns.
Example:
If someone searches for “best pizza in Hyderabad”, a local pizzeria can appear at the top of Google results through a Search Campaign. They only pay when the user clicks the ad.
How does Google Ads work?
Question:
Can you explain in simple terms how Google Ads works?
Answer:
When users search, Google runs an auction against advertisers who would like to have their ads run for that keyword. The advertisements that display are based on your “Ad Rank,” which is determined by your bid amount, the quality of the ad, and the anticipated impact of ad extensions.
You can run different types of Google Ads campaigns — Search, Display, Video, Shopping, App, and more recently, Performance Max. In 2025, Google’s AI system will automatically optimize your campaign for every channel to save you time and effort while maximizing your reach to potential customers.
Example:
You bid ₹50 for “digital marketing courses in Hyderabad.” Your competitor bids ₹60. But if your ad has a higher quality score (better relevance and CTR), your ad may still appear above theirs.
What is Ad Rank and Quality Score?
Question:
What determines whether my ad appears on top or not?
Answer:
Enter Ad Rank. Ad Rank determines your ad position as a function of the following:
Bid amount (the amount you are actually willing to pay for each click)
Quality Score (ad relevance, landing page experience, CTR)
Impact from ad extensions
A good presentation for an interview is to say, “Ad Rank = Bid x Quality + Ad extensions.”
In the latest updates, Google has implemented AI to adjust bids and relevance certificates dynamically, so advertisers should focus more on issuing quality content and user intent instead of only manually adjusting bids and other factors.
Example:
You run an ad for “buy sports shoes online”. Your competitor has a landing page of lower quality. Even if their cost-per-click bid is better, your ad could be listed first because your landing page and CTR are better.
How do you structure a Google Ads account?
Question:
How should a Google Ads account be organized?
Answer:
Consider your Google Ads account as a hierarchy structure:
Account → Campaign → Ad Group → Keywords & Ads
Every campaign has a specific objective (lead generation, sales, etc.). Within each campaign, ad groups will contain keywords and ads that are tightly themed together.
Pro tip: In 2025, you will be able to manage multiple clients/brands within a single Google Ads Manager account, enabling you to manage more campaigns from one dashboard.
Example:
- Account: ABC Shoes Pvt Ltd
- Campaign: Summer Sale 2025
- Ad Group: Running Shoes
- Keywords: buy running shoes online, sports shoes sale
- Ads: “Get 20% off on all running shoes! Limited time offer.”
You can manage multiple clients with Google Ads Manager.
What are the types of Google Ads campaigns?
Question:
What types of campaigns can you run in Google Ads?
Answer:
As of 2025, there are five main campaign types:
- Search campaigns: This type contains text ads that turn up on Google Search results.
- Display campaigns: Includes ads, such as banners and images, on a variety of different websites and apps.
- Video campaigns: This type of campaign refers to ads served to viewers of YouTube.
- Shopping campaigns: Ads that are product-based for your Google Shopping account.
- App campaigns: This type is used for telling ad platforms to fill or promote installs or engagement.
- Performance Max campaigns: This is a new type of campaign powered by Google’s AI. This will include generating ads across all networks (search, display, YouTube, Discover, etc.), and it optimizes Performance automatically.
If you mention Performance Max in your interviews, it shows you are aware of trends for automated services in ad performance.
Example:
YouTube Ad for the fitness application = Video Campaign, Banner ads for sneaker collection = Display Campaign
Search campaign for “buy protein supplements online” = Search Campaign
How do you research keywords for a campaign?
Question:
What’s the best way to find keywords for a Google Ads campaign?
Answer:
Use Google Ads Keyword Planner — it’s a free tool that maximizes keyword discovery based on search volume, competition, and cost-per-click (CPC).
You should also consider user intent.
For example, someone searching “buy running shoes online” could be much more valuable than someone searching “best running shoes.”
Adding this line can help reinforce your answer: “In 2025, I also look at audience signals, negative keywords, and performance data from Performance Max campaigns to improve targeting.”
Another example for better understanding:
You want to run a bakery promotion in Hyderabad. Some keyword examples:
“Birthday cakes Hyderabad” (level of intent determined is high)
“Cake recipes” (commercial intent is low)
Tip: Use high-intent, commercial keywords for Search campaigns and broader keywords for Display campaigns.
What are keyword match types and how have they changed?
Question:
How do match types work in Google Ads today?
Answer:
The types of match keywords control how much a user’s search must match your keyword for your ad to show.
Broad Match: Shows ads for search terms that are related to your keyword, or changes to your keyword.
Phrase Match: Shows ads when the search has the meaning of your keyword in it.
Exact Match: Shows ads if the search means the same thing as your keyword.
A broad match modifier (BMM) is no longer supported — Google is now relying more on intent and AI for search interpretation. Another 2025 update that they expect you to know when being interviewed.
Example:
- Keyword: “buy laptop online”
- Broad Match: Displays ads for “best deals on laptops”
- Phrase Match: Shows ads for “buy laptop online in Hyderabad”
- Exact Match: Only displays ads for “buy laptop online”
How is the cost of Google Ads calculated?
Question:
What affects Google Ads cost, and how can you control it?
Answer:
Prices are determined by your bidding approach, your competition, and your quality score. You will only pay once someone clicks on your ad (CPC).
Here are multiple ways to control your cost on Google Ads:
- Set a ‘daily budget’ for all of your campaigns.
- Utilize a ‘smart bidding’ strategy (Target CPA or Target ROAS).
- Improve the relevance of your ads and the quality of your landing pages.
You can also track your ad spending in your Google Ads account dashboard. This allows you to see in real-time how your budget is being spent.
Example:
You have a daily budget of ₹1000. Your click costs are ₹25-₹30 per click. Once the set budget hits the daily limit, your ads will not show anymore.
What are Smart Bidding and Automated Strategies?
Question:
How does automation help in Google Ads now?
Answer:
Smart Bidding uses machine learning from Google to automate your bidding. The strategies include:
- Target CPA (Cost per Acquisition)
- Target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)
- Maximize Conversions
- Maximize Clicks
The automated bidding system can adjust bids in real time according to device, location, and user intent. When discussing during interviews, be sure you talk about the strength of automation and the continued involvement needed when you monitor Performance manually.
Example:
You operate a campaign for a SaaS product:
Target CPA = ₹500 per signup.
Google will automatically optimize the bids across Search and Display to try to reach your goal.
How do you track conversions in Google Ads?
Question:
How can you measure if your ads are actually working?
Answer:
You can track conversions by setting up tracking codes on your website or integrating Google Analytics 4 with your Google Ads account.
This allows you to see which clicks lead to actions — like purchases or form submissions. Conversion tracking is essential for optimizing campaigns and calculating ROI.
Example:
If you run a campaign for a coaching institute:
Conversion = form submission
You can see which keyword brought the user, e.g., “digital marketing course Hyderabad”
What are the common reasons ads might not appear?
Question:
Sometimes my ads don’t show even when they’re approved. Why?
Answer:
Several reasons:
- Budget exhausted or limited.
- Bids too low to compete.
- The ad was disapproved due to policy violations.
- Targeting is too narrow.
- The automation or AI optimization phase is still learning.
In 2025, also consider Performance Max learning periods, audience signal setup, or new ad review policies.
Example:
If your bakery ad doesn’t show:
- Budget reached early
- Ad text contains restricted words.
- Targeting only one ZIP code that has no searches
How do you stay updated with Google Ads changes?
Question:
Since Google keeps changing things, how do you stay current?
Answer:
A smart reply is:
“I regularly follow official Google Ads Help, Skill shop certifications, and industry blogs. I also test new features — like Performance Max or AI ad assets — directly in live campaigns.”
Showing that you’re proactive about learning makes a strong impression on interviewers.
Example:
Your website gets traffic, but no signups. What do you check?
Landing page design and trustworthiness
Keywords targeting the relevant audience
Ad copy alignment with user intent
By testing one variable at a time, you can optimize conversions.
Conclusion
Using real-world case studies makes explaining concepts in the interview easier. If you practice these scenarios and understand the rationale for the strategy, you will be ready to answer Google Ads interview questions come 2025.
Tip: Always reference your own Google Ads account, Google Ads Manager, and Keyword Planner with hands-on knowledge. Showing a practical reference lends credibility to your response.
