Expert PPC Services

Google Ads Glossary With Example (2026)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Account & Access Entities
    1.1 Google Ads Account
    1.2 Account ID
    1.3 Account-Level Settings
    1.4 Manager Account (MCC)
    1.5 Linked Accounts
    1.6 User Access
  2. Campaign Structure
    2.1 Campaign
    2.2 Search Campaign
    2.3 Display Campaign
    2.4 Video Campaign
    2.5 Shopping Campaign
    2.6 Performance Max Campaign
    2.7 Demand Gen Campaign
  3. Ad Group & Asset Structure
    3.1 Ad Group
    3.2 Asset Group
    3.3 Ad
  4. Ad Formats
    4.1 Responsive Search Ad (RSA)
    4.2 Responsive Display Ad
    4.3 Video Ad
    4.4 Shopping Product Ad
    4.5 Lead Form Ad
  5. Keywords & Search Logic
    5.1 Keyword
    5.2 Broad Match
    5.3 Phrase Match
    5.4 Exact Match
    5.5 Negative Keyword
    5.6 Search Term
  6. Audiences & Targeting
    6.1 Audience
    6.2 In-Market Audience
    6.3 Remarketing Audience
    6.4 Customer Match
    6.5 Custom Audience
    6.6 Location Targeting
  7. Bidding & Budgeting
    7.1 Bid
    7.2 Cost-Per-Click (CPC)
    7.3 Cost-Per-Acquisition (CPA)
    7.4 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
    7.5 Target CPA
    7.6 Target ROAS
    7.7 Daily Budget
  8. Metrics & Performance
    8.1 Impressions
    8.2 Clicks
    8.3 CTR
    8.4 Conversions
    8.5 Conversion Rate
    8.6 Quality Score
  9. Assets (Extensions)
    9.1 Sitelink Asset
    9.2 Callout Asset
    9.3 Structured Snippet Asset
    9.4 Call Asset
    9.5 Promotion Asset
  10. Conversions & Attribution
    10.1 Conversion Action
    10.2 Primary Conversion
    10.3 Secondary Conversion
    10.4 Data-Driven Attribution
  11. Automation & AI
    11.1 Smart Bidding
    11.2 Auction-Time Bidding
    11.3 Auto-Applied Recommendations
    11.4 Ad Strength
  12. Policies & Compliance
    12.1 Ad Policy
    12.2 Disapproved Ad
    12.3 Restricted Content

1. ACCOUNT & ACCESS ENTITIES

1.1 Google Ads Account
The main container holding all advertising activity and billing.
Example: A sportswear brand runs all shoe, jersey, and fitness apparel ads under one Google Ads account.

1.2 Account ID
A unique 10-digit number identifying the Google Ads account.
Example: Google support references Account ID 321-654-9870 for billing verification.

1.3 Account-Level Settings
Global configurations affecting all campaigns.
Example: Conversion tracking is enabled for purchases across all sports apparel campaigns.

1.4 Manager Account (MCC)
A master account used to manage multiple Google Ads accounts.
Example: An agency manages separate running, football, and gym wear brands under one MCC.

1.5 Linked Accounts
External platforms connected to Google Ads.
Example: Google Merchant Center is linked to run Shopping ads for sports shoes.

1.6 User Access
Defines what actions a user can take.
Example: A marketing assistant has Standard access but cannot edit billing.

2. CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE

2.1 Campaign
Top-level structure defining goal, budget, and targeting.
Example: A “UK Search – Sports Shoes” campaign targets online shoe buyers.

2.2 Search Campaign
Text ads triggered by search queries.
Example: Ads show when users search “buy running shoes online”.

2.3 Display Campaign
Visual ads across websites and apps.
Example: Banner ads appear on fitness blogs and sports news sites.

2.4 Video Campaign
Video ads shown on YouTube.
Example: A 15-second football boot ad plays before match highlights.

2.5 Shopping Campaign
Product-based ads using Merchant Center.
Example: Nike training shoes with prices appear in Google Shopping.

2.6 Performance Max Campaign
AI-driven campaign covering all Google channels.
Example: One Performance Max campaign sells shoes, jerseys, and gymwear across Search, YouTube, and Display.

2.7 Demand Gen Campaign
Visual campaigns designed to create demand.
Example: Lifestyle images of athletes appear in YouTube Shorts feed.

3. AD GROUP & ASSET STRUCTURE

3.1 Ad Group
Sub-level grouping within a campaign.
Example: One ad group targets “men’s running shoes”.

3.2 Asset Group
Creative container inside Performance Max.
Example: An asset group promotes “Summer Gymwear Collection”.

3.3 Ad
The promotional message shown to users.
Example: “High-Performance Sportswear – Free UK Delivery”.

4. AD FORMATS

4.1 Responsive Search Ad (RSA)
Google dynamically combines headlines and descriptions.
Example: Headlines rotate between “Buy Running Shoes” and “Lightweight Sports Trainers”.

4.2 Responsive Display Ad
Automatically adapts to placements.
Example: One gymwear ad fits banner, square, and native layouts.

4.3 Video Ad
Promotional video format.
Example: A slow-motion sprint video highlights breathable apparel.

4.4 Shopping Product Ad
Product image ad with price and brand.
Example: “Men’s Training Shorts – £24.99”.

4.5 Lead Form Ad
Collects user data directly from ads.
Example: Users sign up for exclusive sportswear discounts.

5. KEYWORDS & SEARCH LOGIC

5.1 Keyword
Term triggering ads in search.
Example: Keyword = “men’s running shoes”.

5.2 Broad Match
Matches searches by meaning and intent.
Example: “sports shoes” matches “best trainers for gym”.

5.3 Phrase Match
Matches searches containing keyword meaning.
Example: “football boots” matches “cheap football boots UK”.

5.4 Exact Match
Matches same-intent searches.
Example: [buy gym shorts] triggers for “buy gym shorts”.

5.5 Negative Keyword
Blocks irrelevant searches.
Example: Adding “free” blocks “free sports shoes”.

5.6 Search Term
Actual user query.
Example: “breathable gym t-shirts”.

6. AUDIENCES & TARGETING

6.1 Audience
Group of users based on behavior or interest.
Example: Fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

6.2 In-Market Audience
Users actively planning a purchase.
Example: Athletic Apparel Shoppers.

6.3 Remarketing Audience
Past website visitors.
Example: Users who viewed shoes but did not buy.

6.4 Customer Match
Audience from first-party data.
Example: Past customers receive new season launches.

6.5 Custom Audience
Built using competitor searches or URLs.
Example: Users searching Adidas or Puma trainers.

6.6 Location Targeting
Targets specific regions.
Example: Ads shown only in the UK and Ireland.

7. BIDDING & BUDGETING

7.1 Bid
Maximum amount paid per click or conversion.
Example: £1.50 bid for running shoe keywords.

7.2 Cost-Per-Click (CPC)
Cost paid for one click.
Example: Each click costs £0.95.

7.3 Cost-Per-Acquisition (CPA)
Cost to generate one sale.
Example: £22 per sportswear order.

7.4 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
Revenue divided by ad spend.
Example: £6 revenue for every £1 spent equals 600 percent ROAS.

7.5 Target CPA
Automated CPA goal.
Example: Google aims for £25 per order.

7.6 Target ROAS
Automated revenue goal.
Example: Target 700 percent ROAS on Shopping ads.

7.7 Daily Budget
Average daily spend.
Example: £150 per day for sports shoe campaigns.

8. METRICS & PERFORMANCE

8.1 Impressions
Number of ad views.
Example: Ads shown 50,000 times during a sale.

8.2 Clicks
Number of ad clicks.
Example: 2,500 clicks from fitness searches.

8.3 Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Clicks divided by impressions.
Example: 5 percent CTR on gymwear ads.

8.4 Conversions
Completed valuable actions.
Example: Purchase of a football jersey.

8.5 Conversion Rate
Conversions divided by clicks.
Example: 250 orders from 2,500 clicks equals 10 percent.

8.6 Quality Score
Google’s relevance rating.
Example: Score of 9 improves ad visibility.

9. ASSETS (EXTENSIONS)

9.1 Sitelink Asset
Additional links under ads.
Example: Running Shoes, Gymwear, Football Kits.

9.2 Callout Asset
Short benefit statements.
Example: Free Returns, Official Brands.

9.3 Structured Snippet Asset
Predefined feature listings.
Example: Categories include Shoes, Jerseys, and Gymwear.

9.4 Call Asset
Clickable phone number.
Example: Customers call for size availability.

9.5 Promotion Asset
Highlights discounts.
Example: Summer Sale – Up to 30 percent off.

10. CONVERSIONS & ATTRIBUTION

10.1 Conversion Action
Tracked business action.
Example: Completed checkout purchase.

10.2 Primary Conversion
Used for bidding optimization.
Example: Sports apparel purchase.

10.3 Secondary Conversion
Tracked but not optimized.
Example: Email newsletter signup.

10.4 Data-Driven Attribution
AI-based conversion credit.
Example: Credit shared between Search and YouTube ads.

11. AUTOMATION & AI

11.1 Smart Bidding
AI-driven bid optimization.
Example: Google bids higher for repeat sports buyers.

11.2 Auction-Time Bidding
Real-time bid adjustment.
Example: Higher bids during evening gym hours.

11.3 Auto-Applied Recommendations
Google applies optimizations automatically.
Example: New shoe-related keywords added automatically.

11.4 Ad Strength
Creative quality indicator.
Example: Excellent strength for dynamic shoe ads.

12. POLICIES & COMPLIANCE

12.1 Ad Policy
Rules governing ad content.
Example: Claims like “best shoes in the world” get disapproved.

12.2 Disapproved Ad
Ad rejected by Google.
Example: Missing return policy on landing page.

12.3 Restricted Content
Ads allowed with conditions.
Example: Endorsement claims require verification.