The Paid Search Podcast | A Weekly Podcast About Google Ads and Online Marketing

Hosted by Chris Schaeffer, Certified Google Ads Specialist

Business Technology

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Episodes

435

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 53428 min

The Google Ads Detective: Solving PPC Mysteries, Part One (Episode 534)

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer, one of the top Google Ads managers in the world, gives three examples of unique PPC mysteries that are from real campaigns that experienced dramatic performance drops. It is our job to figure out the reason for the change! This is a unique way to test your Google Ads problem solving skills and learn how to diagnose problems in PPC campaigns. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Get your free assessment - https://www.silverarbitration.com/PSP Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

October 12, 2026Episode 53323 min

Google Ads Signal vs. Noise: How to Fix Clicks, Spam, and Broken Campaigns (Episode 533)

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer, one of the top Google Ads managers in the world, breaks down how to separate confusing campaign "noise" from actual underlying problems. Chris tackles five of the most common headaches advertisers face—from spam leads and runaway budgets to zero clicks. You'll learn why exact match keywords and tight bid strategies might be stifling your momentum, along with practical copy adjustments to stop unqualified traffic. Stop chasing symptoms and start diagnosing what’s really breaking your Google Ads 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 Submit a question or comment

September 28, 2026Episode 53224 min

The Truth About RSA Ad Strength: 3 Big Mistakes & My Go-To Copy Framework (Episode 532)

In this episode, Chris Schaeffer (the best Google Ads manager in the world) breaks down how Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) actually work and why a "Poor" Ad Strength rating directly causes higher CPCs, fewer impressions, and lower search positions. We uncover three massive misconceptions search marketers make, including why RSAs optimize for clicks instead of conversions, why Dynamic Keyword Insertion isn't a magic shortcut for asset diversity, and why writing throwaway headlines backfires when Google only displays two lines. Plus, we explore a real-world audit example where bad ad copy triggered a costly feedback loop targeting job seekers instead of clients. To wrap up, Chris Schaeffer reveals his exact formula for structuring ad copy: a headline-pinning framework that locks in your core message while letting machine learning test your supporting features, benefits, CTAs, and trust factors. Tune in to stop wasting budget and start driving the right clicks! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

September 21, 2026Episode 53131 min

"Semantic Intent" Will Change How You Choose Keywords Forever (Episode 531)

Chris Schaeffer, one of the best Google Ads managers in the world, breaks down semantic intent in this episode—exposing how Google attempts to read the minds of both you and the searcher by matching underlying goals rather than literal words. If your high-ticket whole-house filter ads are triggering on DIY searches or cheap plastic pitchers, Google's natural language processing is to blame. We unpack how this guessing game wastes ad spend across Broad, Phrase, and Exact match types, revealing the hidden traps of close variants, inflated CPCs, and plummeting Quality Scores. You'll get actionable strategies to stop Google's assumptions from draining your campaign budgets. We highlight the six primary victims hit hardest by semantic intent, including high-ticket service providers, low-budget accounts, and niche industries that Google fails to comprehend. Tune in to discover where semantic intent is misinterpreting your target audience and learn how to defend your spend using smarter keyword strategies and negative keyword control. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

September 14, 2026Episode 53031 min

Let's Build a Competitor Conquest Campaign! (Episode 530)

Thinking about bidding on your rival’s brand name? It sounds like an aggressive, high-reward growth strategy: bid on a competitor’s name or trademarked product, show up at the top of the page, and offer a compelling alternative to pull high-intent buyers away from the competition. While Google Ads policy permits this strategy at the keyword level, the financial reality behind these campaigns tells a completely different story. In this episode, Chris Schaeffer tears down the myth of "conquesting" and explains why these efforts are better labeled vanity campaigns or kamikaze bidding—strategies that burn your budget just to feed an ego. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

September 7, 2026Episode 52931 min

Rebuilding Your Google Ads Based on Revenue (Episode 529)

Learn how value based bidding can be used to improved the quality of your leads. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer discusses how offline conversion tracking works and how you can get setup for this kind of bidding strategy. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

August 31, 2026Episode 52836 min

HUGE Changes to Merchant Center (Episode 528)

Guest host Joey Bidner discusses the huge changes in the Google Ads Merchant Center that have recently been released. If you are an e-commerce advertiser looking to get more out of your shopping and Performance Max campaigns this is an important announcement that you need to hear! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/ Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

August 24, 2026Episode 52724 min

How Long Does It Take To Succeed With Google Ads? (Episode 527)

How long does it take to be successful in Google Ads? Today Chris Schaeffer discusses the major number and the one factor that can either slow that process down or speed it up. Reaching success in Google is not guaranteed but with this simple rule you will have a better chance at success! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

August 17, 2026Episode 52626 min

1,700 Hours of Teaching Google Ads, This is What I Learned (Episode 526)

I've spent nearly 2,000 hours teaching and coaching people all around the world how to build, optimize, and manage their Google Ads accounts. These are the eight things I've learned after speaking to people that need help with their accounts. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment

August 10, 2026Episode 52522 min

ChatGPT Ads vs Google Ads (Episode 525)

I tried ChatGPT Ads! Let's talk about the differences between Google Ads and ads on ChatGPT, where the advantages of each are, and what the future made hold for both marketing networks. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com Submit a question or comment