Why Don't I See My Google Search Ads?

By Hazel Burgess on 07.13.19 / Advertising / Leave a comment

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The great thing about running Google search ads is that it shows up quickly in search results. And generally, it takes a few hours to a day to get your account and campaign setup. Your ad might show up within a few hours same day or early the next day.

So, if that’s the case, why can’t I see my ad when I search Google in a browser?

Google Search Ads Delivery

Google search ads delivery is a common reason why you may not see your campaign in search results. There are several Ad Delivery options you can choose from. And, depending on your budget, Google will space out your ad show time. This is to prevent using all your budget within a few hours of the day.

But, here’s the thing. You should not be searching for your own ad in the browser. Doing this will distort your impressions and eventually create chaos in your ad account.

Instead, use the Ad Preview and Diagnosis Tool inside your Google Ads account. There, you will be able to use a browser simulator. Feel free to do a search on your keywords to view your ad. That way you can search without it having an impact on your account statistics. But, it’s highly recommended that you do not use a live browser to search keywords for your ad.

Back to why you don’t see your ad.

If you’re using the browser simulator in your ads account, it could be that your account is very new. Additionally, if you are in a competitive market and have a low budget, this too will impact when your ad shows.

Also, you can locate a specific ad in your Google Ads account and see if it’s collecting data. If it is, then your ad is running and you can relax.

However, if you’re in a different target location, you may not see your ad when you use the search tool.

Sometimes your ad may not be showing nor accruing data. There could be any number of technical reasons causing this.

If you’re having difficulty figuring it out, you should contact your Google Ads rep. Reach out to your campaign rep if you are an Envisager Studio client. We will help you get it sorted out.