Clicks and Clarity with Claire
If you’re spending real money on Google Ads and still asking, “Why isn’t this working?”—this podcast is for you.
I’m Claire Jarrett, Google Ads strategist and founder of Jarrett Digital. Each week, I break down what’s actually going on behind the numbers—so you can stop wasting ad spend, start attracting qualified leads, and scale with confidence.
No fluff. No jargon. Just clear advice, real audits, and proven strategies from accounts managing four to six figures in monthly ad spend.
Whether you're DIY-ing your ads or working with an agency, this is the clarity you've been missing.
Clicks and Clarity with Claire
The Display Network Danger: When Your Search Ads Go Rogue
In this crucial episode of 'Clicks & Clarity with Claire', Google Ads expert Claire Jarrett uncovers a common yet costly mistake that's silently draining your ad budget: accidentally leaving the Display Network on for your search campaigns.
Claire reveals how this seemingly small oversight can lead to your ads appearing on irrelevant websites, YouTube videos, and even mobile games, attracting unqualified clicks and wasting your budget. Through real-world examples, including a sailing holiday company receiving calls meant for the Coast Guard, Claire illustrates the bizarre and costly consequences of this setting.
Learn how to identify if your campaigns are affected, understand why Google's default settings and recommendations might not always align with your best interests, and discover step-by-step solutions to fix this issue. Claire also delves into related problems like inaccurate conversion tracking and poor campaign structure that often accompany this mistake.
Whether you're managing your own Google Ads or working with an agency, this episode is essential listening. You'll gain invaluable insights on how to protect your ad spend, ensure your ads reach the right audience, and dramatically improve your campaign's performance.
Don't let your search ads go rogue. Tune in to 'Clicks & Clarity with Claire' and take control of your Google Ads campaigns today!
Welcome to Clicks & Clarity with Claire, where we turn Google Ads confusion into conversion. I'm Claire Jarrett, and today we're tackling a silent budget killer: the Display Network Danger.
I recently audited an account where search ads were accidentally running on the Display Network, showing up on random blogs, YouTube videos, and even mobile games.
The result? Wasted budget, irrelevant clicks, and a flood of unqualified leads.
This is the Display Network Danger in action, and it's a surefire way to derail your Google Ads campaigns.
But don't worry, by the end of this episode, you'll know how to identify this issue, fix it, and protect your ad spend.
First, let's break down why this happens. When you create a search campaign, Google often "defaults" to including the Display Network. It's a sneaky setting that often goes unnoticed, even by agency staff!
The Display Network is Google's vast collection of partner websites, videos, and apps where your ads can appear. While it has its place, it's rarely suitable for search campaigns.
So, how do we fix this? The first step is to check your campaign settings. Look for the 'Networks' section and ensure only 'Google Search' is selected.
If you find the Display Network enabled, turn it off immediately. This simple action can instantly improve your campaign's performance and reduce wasted spend.
But don't stop there. Review your past performance data. Look for any unusual placements or irrelevant clicks. You might be surprised at where your ads have been showing.
I once had a client selling sailing holidays who was getting calls meant for the Coast Guard! That's the kind of misplacement we're talking about.
Now, let's address a common objection: "But Claire, doesn't the Display Network give me more reach?" Yes, but at what cost? For most search campaigns, the Display Network dilutes your targeting and wastes your budget.
By focusing solely on search, you'll see higher click-through rates, better quality scores, lower costs per click, and most importantly, more qualified leads.
Let's talk about conversion tracking. When the Display Network is enabled, it can skew your data. I've seen cases where conversions were inflated by fifty percent due to double counting across different platforms.
Accurate data is crucial for making informed decisions. Always double-check your conversion tracking setup, especially if you've just disabled the Display Network.
Now, I want to touch on Google's push towards automation. While it can be helpful, it's not always in your best interest. Google's representatives are often incentivized to increase your spend, not your ROI.
Be cautious of recommendations to 'maximize reach' or 'let Google optimize.' These can often lead to enabling the Display Network without your full understanding.
Your ad strategy should be intentional, not left to chance. Use Google's tools, but always apply your own strategic thinking.
Let's recap the key points: Check your campaign settings and turn off the Display Network for search campaigns. Review past performance for unusual placements. Ensure accurate conversion tracking.
Be wary of automated recommendations that might enable the Display Network. And always, always focus on relevance and qualified traffic.
Remember, Google Ads success isn't about reaching the most people. It's about reaching the right people at the right time with the right message.
By focusing on search intent and avoiding the Display Network trap, you'll not only improve your Google Ads performance but also provide a better experience for your potential customers.
That's all for today's episode of Clicks & Clarity with Claire. If you found this helpful, please subscribe and leave a review. And remember, in the world of Google Ads, clarity leads to clicks, and clicks lead to customers.
Until next time, this is Claire Jarrett reminding you: Don't let your search ads go rogue. Keep them focused, keep them relevant, and watch your ROI soar. Goodbye for now!