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
Bargain Hunters Be Gone! How to Spot and Stop Low-Quality Leads
In this episode of Clicks & Clarity with Claire, we're diving deep into a common Google Ads headache: attracting bargain hunters and low-quality leads that drain your budget without delivering results.
Claire Jarrett reveals how Google's algorithm often chases easy clicks, leading to inflated conversion numbers and frustrated sales teams.
You'll learn exactly how to spot the red flags in your search terms report, identify misleading conversions, and tighten your targeting to attract serious buyers instead of casual browsers.
Discover practical strategies including precise keyword targeting, aggressive use of negative keywords, and crafting ad copy that naturally filters out bargain hunters.
Claire also shares insights on aligning your landing pages with your ads, choosing bidding strategies that prioritise quality over quantity, and structuring your campaigns to clearly separate branded from non-branded traffic.
If you're tired of wasting money on clicks that never convert, this episode will give you the clarity and actionable steps you need to transform your Google Ads campaigns into powerful lead-generation tools.
Tune in now and learn how to stop attracting bargain hunters—and start attracting profitable customers instead.
Welcome to Clicks & Clarity with Claire, where we turn Google Ads confusion into conversion. I'm Claire Jarrett, and today we're tackling a common but costly issue: "Are Your Ads Attracting Bargain Hunters? How to Spot and Stop Low-Quality Leads." I recently audited an account where ninety percent of conversions were coming from branded searches or irrelevant clicks—people looking for cheap deals, DIY solutions, or simply information seekers who weren't ready to buy. Sound familiar? If your sales team is complaining about leads who aren't serious, or you're seeing conversions that never turn into actual sales, this episode is for you. Let's dive straight into why this happens. First, Google's algorithm is designed to chase easy wins. If you leave your targeting too broad, Google will naturally gravitate towards clicks that are easiest to get—often bargain hunters or casual browsers who aren't your ideal customers. This means your budget gets drained by clicks that look good on paper but don't translate into revenue. So, how do you spot these low-quality leads? Start by reviewing your search terms report weekly. Look for red flags like searches containing words such as "cheap," "free," "DIY," "discount," or even competitor names. These terms indicate users who are price-sensitive or looking for quick fixes rather than serious solutions. Next, check your conversion actions. Are you counting every interaction as a conversion? If you're tracking micro-conversions like brochure downloads, casual clicks on your phone number, or even accidental clicks, you're inflating your conversion numbers and misleading yourself about campaign performance. Instead, focus on tracking genuine buying signals—like consultation requests, booked appointments, or direct sales. Now, let's talk about how to stop attracting these bargain hunters. First, tighten your keyword targeting. Use exact match and phrase match keywords to ensure your ads only appear for searches with clear buying intent. Broad match keywords might seem appealing because they generate more clicks, but they're often the culprit behind irrelevant traffic and wasted budget. Second, negative keywords are your best friend. Add terms like "cheap," "free," "DIY," "jobs," "careers," "salary," and competitor names to your negative keyword list. This simple step can dramatically reduce irrelevant clicks and improve lead quality overnight. Third, your ad copy itself should act as a filter. Clearly communicate your value and pricing level. If you're offering premium services, say so explicitly. This will naturally deter bargain hunters and attract serious buyers who appreciate quality and are willing to pay for it. Fourth, align your landing pages with your ads. If your ad promises a premium solution, your landing page must reinforce that message clearly. Avoid generic landing pages that appeal to everyone and no one. Instead, create targeted pages that speak directly to your ideal customer's pain points and expectations. Fifth, consider your bidding strategy carefully. If you're using Google's automated bidding strategies like "Maximize Conversions," be cautious. Google's algorithm may chase easy conversions—often low-quality leads—rather than the high-value prospects you really want. Instead, consider strategies like Target CPA or manual bidding, where you have more control over the quality of leads you're attracting. Sixth, regularly audit your campaign structure. Are you mixing branded and non-branded keywords in the same campaign? This common mistake can skew your data, making it look like your campaigns are performing better than they actually are. Separate branded searches into their own campaign to clearly see how your cold traffic campaigns are truly performing. Finally, don't forget about device targeting. If your data shows that mobile clicks consistently produce lower-quality leads, consider adjusting your bids or even excluding mobile traffic entirely. This can significantly improve your overall lead quality and ROI. Let's quickly recap today's key points: One—Review your search terms regularly to spot low-quality leads. Two—Focus your conversion tracking on genuine buying signals. Three—Use exact and phrase match keywords to tighten targeting. Four—Leverage negative keywords aggressively to filter out irrelevant traffic. Five—Craft ad copy and landing pages that clearly communicate your value and pricing. Six—Choose bidding strategies that prioritize lead quality over quantity. Seven—Separate branded and non-branded keywords into distinct campaigns. Eight—Monitor device performance and adjust bids accordingly. Remember, Google Ads success isn't about getting the most clicks or even the most conversions. It's about attracting the right leads—the ones who become loyal, profitable 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, clarity leads to clicks—and the right clicks lead to customers. Until next time, this is Claire Jarrett reminding you: Don't let bargain hunters drain your budget. Get strategic, get specific, and watch your results soar. Goodbye for now!