HomeGoogle Ads Click-Through Rate: Get More Traffic at a Lower Cost

Google Ads Click-Through Rate: Get More Traffic at a Lower Cost


Although there are many metrics that PPC advertisers should bear in mind, your Google Ads click-through rate (CTR) is arguably the most important. Click-through rate can have a significant impact on several aspects of a Google Ads account, from higher Quality Score to lower cost per click and minimum bid.

What is Google Ads Click-Through Rate?

As its name implies, Google Ads click-through rate is the rate at which users “click through” to your site from a Google Ads ad. The rate itself is calculated by determining the ratio between the number of impressions for a particular ad and how many times the ad has been clicked.

For example, a click-through rate of 1% means that for every 100 impressions the ad receives, one user clicked on it.

✴️ Improve your CTR with the free guide ⤵️

>> 10 Tricks to Get the Click: How to Write Exceptional PPC Ad Copy

What is the Average Click-Through Rate in Google Ads?

Before we examine the average click-through rate in Google Ads, it is important to make a distinction between the Google Search and Display networks.

 

Click through rate in AdWords graph

The Search Network refers to Google’s ad platform that primarily serves text-based ads. These are the advertisements you typically see above and to the right of organic results on search engine results pages.

The Display Network, on the other hand, typically serves users image-based ads, such as banners. It is important to understand the differences between the two networks because click-through rates vary widely from one network to the other.

According to Google, the average click-through rate of ads on the search network is 2%. This means that, for every 100 impressions of that ad, two users clicked on it. This benchmark means that any ad with a CTR higher than 2% can be considered above-average. Ads on the display network, however, typically have much lower click-through rate (around .1%), because these advertisements are primarily designed to increase brand awareness, rather than drive traffic.

Does Average Click-Through Rate in Google Ads Vary by Industry?

Average click-through rate in Google Ads definitely varies across industries and sectors. This is why the most important benchmark is how your ad CTR performs in relation to your competitors.

Enter your Google Ads CTR below to see if you’re doing better or worse than other advertisers in your industry:

You can get even more vertical-specific insight by assessing the strength of your account for free using WordStream’s Google Ads Performance Grader.

In 60 seconds or less, the Google Ads Performance Grader conducts an extensive audit of your Google Ads account, providing you with detailed performance data across 10 key metrics, including wasted spend, negative keyword usage, and click-through rate.

After running an audit of your account, the Google Ads Performance Grader allows you to see at-a-glance how your ads are performing relative to similar businesses in your industry.

click through rate averages

In the figure above, which was taken from a Google Ads Performance Grader report, you will notice that data for the top 200 keywords in this account are plotted on the graph in green circles. You can use this chart to analyze impression and click data for each individual keyword by hovering over each circle, as well as how these keywords are performing in relation to the typical CTR curve in your industry, represented by the yellow line.

These figures are compiled from WordStream’s internal data from grading more than $10 billion in Google Ads advertising spend, providing you with unparalleled insight into how your ads are performing against your competitors.

Recommendations for Improving Click-Through Rate in Google Ads

The Google Ads Performance Grader doesn’t just tell you how your ads are performing according to industry averages; it also provides you with personalized recommendations on how to improve your ad CTR based on parameters unique to your Google Ads account. In addition, the Google Ads Performance Grader offers actionable suggestions on how to improve other metrics in your account, such as negative keyword use, targeting options, and ad copy.

As well as these recommendations, the free Google Ads Performance Grader will display the estimated impact that making these changes will have on your account. This data can tell you which suggestions will have the greatest effect on your total ad spend and potential ROI.

Average click-through rate is one of the most crucial metrics in any PPC account. Increasing your CTR is one of the most effective ways to improve your Quality Scores, reduce your CPC and minimum bid, and drive more qualified traffic to your website. Grade your account for free with WordStream’s Google Ads Performance Grader and start improving your Google Ads CTR today.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Loading...