5 Reasons Your Google Ads Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)

If you’re spending money on Google Ads and not seeing results, you’re not alone. We hear it all the time: “Why are my Google Ads not working?” The truth is, there’s no single reason, but several common mistakes that could be holding your campaigns back.

So, what’s really going on when your Google Ads aren’t working?

In most cases, it’s a mix of poor targeting, weak ad copy, bad landing pages, or not setting up campaigns strategically. The good news? These problems are fixable, and in this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get better results.

Why Are Your Google Ads Not Working?

Let’s break down the five most common reasons your Google Ads are not working and what you can do to turn things around.

1. Your Targeting Is Too Broad (Or Too Narrow)

If your ads are reaching the wrong audience, or not reaching anyone at all, you’re going to struggle with performance. One of the most common setup mistakes we see is broad match keywords paired with generic ad copy.

Fix it:

• Review your keyword match types
• Use negative keywords to filter out irrelevant traffic
• Geo-target specific regions, especially if you’re a local business
  

You want to reach the right people, not just more people.

2. Your Ads Don’t Match Your Landing Page

Your ad might be promising one thing, but if your landing page says something else or worse, just dumps users on your homepage, your conversion rate is going to suffer. Visitors need a seamless experience from the moment they click. If there’s any confusion, they’ll leave.

Fix it:

• Match your ad headline to your landing page headline
• Keep the messaging and offer consistent
• Make sure your landing page has a clear, specific CTA
  

Remember: you don’t just need clicks, you need conversions.

3. You’re Ignoring Quality Score

Google Ads not working? Your Quality Score might be to blame and you might not even know it’s affecting your performance. Quality Score is how Google measures the relevance and effectiveness of your ads and landing pages. A low score = higher costs and lower ad placements.

You don’t have to fully understand it to benefit from it, but if you’re curious, this guide from WordStream explains Quality Score in more detail and how it can impact your entire campaign.

Fix it:

• Improve ad relevance
• Increase click-through rate with better copy
• Ensure your landing page matches the ad and is fast-loading
  

Even small improvements to your Quality Score can significantly reduce your cost-per-click and improve your ad visibility.

4. Your Ads Lack a Clear Offer or Value Proposition

Many ads fail because they’re too vague. If your copy doesn’t clearly communicate what makes your business different or what the user gets by clicking, you’re going to lose them. Generic phrases like “We’re here to help” or “Quality service” don’t mean anything without context.

Fix it:

• Lead with value: What’s the benefit? What’s the offer?
• Add urgency or a reason to act now (limited-time offer, free trial, etc.)
• Include a strong CTA (e.g. “Book your free consult today”) 

5. You’re Sending Traffic to a Poor Website

This is the most common, and most overlooked, reason Google Ads are not working. You could have the best targeting and ad copy in the world, but if your website is outdated, confusing, or slow, users won’t convert. We see this all the time: businesses think they have an ads problem, but really, they have a website problem.

Fix it:

• Make sure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate
• Ensure users can quickly understand what you do and what to do next
• Use clear CTAs and eliminate unnecessary distractions
  

If you’re unsure whether your website is hurting your ad performance, it probably is.

Why We Include a Free Website with Your Marketing Package

At Marketing Together, we know that ads are just one part of the puzzle. That’s why we offer a free, conversion-focused website (valued at $5k) when you sign up for 6 months of digital marketing with us.

Because if your website doesn’t convert, your ads won’t either, and we want your whole funnel to work from top to bottom. When you work with us, you get:

• A custom-built, mobile-first website
• SEO-ready and optimised for conversions
• Built to support your Google Ads, social media, and SEO strategies

This isn’t a bonus. It’s the foundation for long-term marketing success and we include it because we’re invested in getting you real results.

Stop Guessing, Start Converting

If your Google Ads are not working, don’t panic, but don’t keep spending money hoping for better results either. The answer usually isn’t to spend more, but to spend smarter.

Start by fixing the issues that matter most: your targeting, your copy, your landing pages, and especially your website. 👉 Want a free website that’s actually built to convert?  Talk to Marketing Together today and let’s turn your traffic into results.