Note: Google recently changed the name of Google AdWords to Google Ads

What is Google AdWords?

Google AdWords is simply the online platform by which Google sells its ads.

What are Google Ads?

There are many types of Google ads, but the most basic are Search Ads. These appear on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) when you do a search in Google.

How does it work?

Simplified!

The advertiser tells Google what keywords to show particular ads for and specifies the maximum amount they’re willing to pay to be shown for that keyword. For example: I run a lawn mowing service and want my ad to appear when someone types “lawn mowing service near me.” I tell Google I’m willing to pay up to $5 per click to show. Then, when a consumer types “lawn mowing service near me,” my ad might show, and if it does and a user clicks on it, Google charges up to $5.

More FAQs

What’s the difference between AdWords and AdSense?

AdWords is the platform advertisers use to buy ad space.

AdSense is the platform website owners use to publish ads on their websites and get compensated for it.

What are Pay-Per-Click ads?

Google Ads are pay-per-click (PPC), which means the advertiser only pays when a user clicks on the ad. There are many other PPC platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Bing