What Causes a Low Quality Score in Google Ads (and How to Fix It)

low quality score in google ads

Ever run an ads campaign and feel like you’re not getting the return you had hoped? You might be battling a low quality score in Google Ads. This score, assigned by Google Ads to each of your keywords, reflects how relevant and useful your ads are to searchers. And guess what? A low quality score means your ads are less likely to be seen, costing you more per click.

Google Quality Score Article

So, what drags down your quality score? Here are the main culprits:

low quality score in google ads
  • Low Click-Through Rate (CTR): This is the golden metric. If people aren’t clicking your ads, Google figures they’re not relevant to search queries. Work on crafting compelling ad copy that entices users to click.
  • Relevancy: Keywords, ad text, and landing pages need to be in perfect harmony. Imagine advertising “luxury watches” but your ad talks about “discount timepieces” and lands on a page selling socks. Not exactly a click magnet, right?
  • Keywords: Ever thrown a bunch of vaguely related keywords into one ad group? Google doesn’t like that. Tidy up your campaigns by creating tightly themed ad groups with specific keywords.
  • Landing Page: A stellar ad can’t save a bad landing page. Make sure your landing page clearly reflects your ad and offers a smooth user experience. Don’t send people on a wild goose chase!
  • Limited Performance History: If your keywords are brand new, they might not have enough data for Google to assign a quality score. Be patient and focus on building a strong track record.

Don’t fret if your quality score needs some work. Here’s what you can do:

  • Boost Your CTR: Write clear, concise ad copy that highlights your unique selling proposition.
  • Refine Your Relevance: Ensure every aspect of your campaign, from keywords to landing pages, sings from the same hymn sheet.
  • Organize Your Keywords: Break down broad keyword groups into tight, thematic clusters.
  • Craft Compelling Landings: Make sure your landing pages are relevant to your ads and offer a seamless user experience.
  • Be Patient with New Keywords: Give new keywords some time to gather data and establish a performance history.

By tackling these issues, you can increase your quality score, improve your ad rank, and get more clicks for your buck. Remember, a high quality score is a win-win for you and Google: you get more relevant clicks, and Google keeps users happy with targeted ads.

You Might Be Wondering, Why is a high Quality Score important for both you and Google?

  • Advertisers: They get more relevant clicks for their money, leading to potentially better conversions and return on investment (ROI).
  • Google: Users see more targeted ads, improving their overall search experience and keeping them coming back to Google.

By working to improve your Quality Score, you can create a win-win situation for your campaign and contribute to a more positive user experience on Google.

Happy optimizing!

Want to deep dive into everything Quality Score? Check out my comprehensive post on that provides you with all you need to know about quality score for a thorough explanation of this key metric.