The Paid Search Podcast | A Weekly Podcast About Google Ads and Online Marketing
Published by Chris Schaeffer, Certified Google Ads Specialist
Technology
Business
Marketing
Google Ads expert and Premier Google Partner Chris Schaeffer talk pay per click, Google Ads, online marketing, and how to advertise your business effectively. This podcast helps business owners, digital marketing agency employees, and pay per click freelancers make the most of their Google AdWords budgets. New episodes come out every Monday, and ask your Google Ads questions at www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Do This Before You Hire a PPC Manager (Episode 523)
In this episode of the Paid Search Podcast, Chris Schaeffer shares the framework he uses to help businesses get the most from their Google Ads campaigns. Learn why ownership of your Google Ads account, website, and tracking assets matters, how to set goals that lead to long-term success, and why your budget should follow business value—not search volume. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris also covers the four phases of campaign success, what to expect in your first 90 days, and how to become a better partner to your PPC manager by asking the right questions and providing the feedback that matters. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
New Bidding Change Explained (Episode 522)
Google is changing TCPA bidding and this will affect everyone! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Joey Bidner guest hosts this week's podcast and explains what changes are coming with bidding and why it has so many people upset. Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/ Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
HUGE News! Search Partners Revealed (Episode 521)
Google just made one of the biggest Search Partner Network changes in years… but is it actually useful? Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp For the first time, Google Ads advertisers can see which Search Partner sites are displaying their ads in Search, Shopping, and App campaigns. After more than 20 years of treating Search Partners as a black box, Google has finally added placement reporting. So why am I still frustrated? In this episode, Chris Schaeffer breaks down exactly what Google’s new reporting includes, what it leaves out, and why this update is both a step forward and a major missed opportunity. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Google is Hiding 60% of Search Terms, What Is The Solution? (Episode 520)
Google Ads is hiding more and more search term data, and it’s becoming a serious problem for advertisers. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp In this episode, Chris Schaeffer explains why search terms—not keywords—are the foundation of successful Google Ads management, why Google’s increasing lack of transparency matters, and what you can do to protect your campaigns. You’ll learn: * The critical difference between keywords and search terms * Why search terms are the first step in measuring paid search quality * How hidden search terms make optimization more difficult * Why less visibility leads to more wasted ad spend * How this shift especially impacts small advertisers * Why transparency has always been one of Google Search’s biggest advantages * How broad match negative keywords can help reduce unwanted traffic Google Ads wasn’t built on showing ads to people who might be interested. It became the world’s most powerful advertising platform because it reached people at the exact moment they were searching for a product or service. That’s why understanding what people actually searched is so important. Your keywords are only what you tell Google to target. Your search terms reveal where your advertising dollars are really going. If Google continues hiding that information, advertisers lose one of the most valuable tools they have for improving performance and holding the platform accountable. Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Did You Just Break Your Google Ads? 4 Most Dangerous Google Ads Changes (Episode 519)
This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners and discusses 4 ways to break your Google Ads account. Don't make these key mistakes that can result in an unrecoverable campaign. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Google AI Max & AI Mode (Episode 518)
Chris Schaeffer and Joey Bidner discuss Google AI Mode and Google Ads AI Max in this week's episode of The Paid Search Podcast. AI is a growing aspect of the Google universe and advertisers have an opportunity to expand their marketing efforts in ways that were not possible just a few years before. But is it always the right choice for everyone? Let's talk about that! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
This is the Best Way to Manage Keywords! (Episode 516)
Let's talk about how to manage your keywords using this keyword risk process. Using low, moderate, and high risk keywords allow you to control the spend of your Google Ads search campaigns. Be sure and download the free PDF resource linked below! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Keyword Risk PDF: https://files.chrisschaeffer.com/xGNjxsAZ Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Responding To A Listener’s Google Ads Challenge (Episode 516)
In today's episode Chris Schaeffer answers a question from a listener that disagrees with him! Let's talk about manual bidding verses automated bidding. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
3 Big Announcements from Google This Year (Episode 515)
Today Chris Schaeffer is talking about three big announcements that Google has made about Google Ads and why they should matter to you. We're talking about the upcoming "upgrade" from DSA to AI Max. Also the big push to get ads in the AI mode of Google. And using AI Max for Shopping campaigns. All of this and more in today's podcast show! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Answering 5 Questions from Listeners (Episode 514)
Answering questions from listeners this week! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
AI Audits, Free Audits, and Paid Audits (Episode 513)
Getting an expert opinion about your Google Ads campaigns is always a good thing, right? Well let's talk about that. In today's episode Chris Schaeffer and Joey Bidner discuss the three types of audits you can get. Free, Paid, and AI. What should you expect from an audit and what should you avoid? All of that plus more in this week's Paid Search Podcast! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Should You Exclude by Age & Income Demographics? (Episode 512)
Do you know how Google determines the age, gender, and income of your paid traffic? Well that's an important question to ask! In today's podcast we discuss why you should not exclude traffic based on obscure demographics that have no real analytical weight in the performance of your account. Don't settle for the chicken nuggets of PPC, pull up a chair and enjoy the real meat being served. Let's talk about that! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
The State of Google Ads in 2026 (Episode 511)
This week Chris Schaeffer a Google Ads expert manager and consultant discusses the state of Google Ads in 2026. There are a lot of things that have changed and these topics are weighing heavy on today's advertisers. Let's talk about the wide diversity in today's google ppc ads. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
The Hidden Lies Of Google Ads Agencies (Episode 510)
It's sad but true. People lie. Companies lie. And there are real victims. Google Ads expert Chris Schaeffer discusses 9 ways that Google Ads experts lie to their clients and how you can spot those scams to avoid being a victim. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
How I Would Launch a New Campaign From Scratch In 2026 (Episode 509)
If you had to build a business that would be more likely to succeed in Google Ads what would it look like? Well that's the topic of this week's show. Chris Schaeffer discusses 3 ways to make a brand new campaign succeed in Google Ads using unique strategies and tactics that could make a huge difference in the performance of your account. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
10 Hidden Settings In Google Ads (Episode 508)
There really are settings and features in Google Ads that are hidden. And some of these settings can make a big difference in the performance of your search campaigns. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer, an expert of Google Ads with 23 years of experience, discusses 10 settings and where to find them. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Stealing Clicks From Your Competitors (Episode 507)
Let's talk about competitor campaigns on Google Search. Should you run ads against competitors? Is it worth it? In today's episode Chris Schaeffer discusses the best way to proceed if you plan to spend money on competitor bids. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Tips for Shopping, Search, and Display Campaigns (Episode 506)
This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions from listeners. He covers topics around conversion actions in your campaigns, hidden search terms, image assets and display campaigns. And Joey Bidner shares a great tip for optimizing your product title in your product feed! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
How To Train Google Ads With Conversions (Episode 505)
Feed the algorithm! That's the secret we are talking about in today's podcast. Learn how to create a campaign that can be trained to generate better traffic than other traditional methods. This strategy focuses on using a website that drives a large number of conversions which then drives positive signals for the Google Ads bidding algorithm. Let's talk about that! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
Your Paid Search Questions Answered (Episode 504)
How do you start over in Google Ads? Is manual bidding a practical option for busy managers? Have you tried Portfolio Bidding Strategies? All of this and more in this week's Paid Search Podcast with Chris Schaeffer. Answering questions from listeners around the world who have questions about Google Ads search campaigns! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com
