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

Chris Schaeffer, Certified Google Ads Specialist

About

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

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396 episodes

PPC Basics - Simple Ad Strategy That Works (Episode 494)

This week Chris Schaeffer and Joey Bidner discuss ad copy strategy in Google Ads. These methods are new because we have new data points in Google Ads for headline CTR and we can use this data to make critical decisions about the best headlines to use in 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

29m
Jan 05
My 3 Favorite Google Ads POWER TOOLS (Episode 493)

Want to get things done faster in Google Ads? Check out these three power tools that can help you become more effective in Google Ads. Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Ill be back in 2026 with more Google Ads podcasts. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

25m
Dec 22, 2025
5 Things You Need to Know About a CLICK in Google Ads (Episode 492)

What is a click in Google Ads? Today we talk about what you need to know about how Google defines a click in paid search. Five important facts you need to know about a click on 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

26m
Dec 15, 2025
Let's Audit an Account with 29.6% Optimization Score (Episode 491)

This week we audit an account with a 29% optimization score in Google Ads. Does a low optimization score mean the account is failing? What do all of these recommendations in Google Ads really mean? Lets talk about the reality of the optimization score system and how it affects the performance of your search campaigns on Google. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

31m
Dec 08, 2025
How to Build a Successful Search Campaign + Easy to Follow Instructions (Episode 490)

Have you tried and failed at Google Ads? This week Chris Schaeffer discusses a simple way to ensure you are getting the right traffic from your Google Ads campaigns. Using this simple bidding method and traffic management strategy you can be sure you are paying the right price for the right traffic. Its called Pay Per Value bidding. Lets 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

32m
Dec 01, 2025
Answering PPC Questions from Subscribers (Episode 489)

Chris answers 5 burning questions about Google Ads from listeners this week. We discuss how to deal with a campaign that has crashed and burned, manual bidding, finding traffic when it appears to not exist, and a question about how freelancers can better sell their google ads services. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

34m
Nov 24, 2025
PPC Basics - How to Pick The Best Keywords (Episode 488)

This is the best way to pick the right keywords to use in your Google Ads campaign. Chris Schaeffer discusses an effective method that will ensure anyone can get the best qualified traffic for their business from Google in these simple steps! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

32m
Nov 17, 2025
PPC Basics - Building Your First Campaign (Episode 487)

This week Chris Schaeffer gives simple steps for building a Google Ads campaign that will deliver reliable traffic with minimal effort. This method is great for those that are trying Google Ads for the first time and want to minimize wasting money in the PPC marketing. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

32m
Nov 10, 2025
Should You Try Microsoft Ads? (Episode 486)

This week Chris Schaeffer answers a question about how to structure your Google Ads campaigns. And Joey Bidner jumps in to discuss the role of Microsoft Ads for advertisers looking to diversify their PPC traffic. 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

28m
Nov 03, 2025
PPC Basics: How to Get Phone Calls (Episode 485)

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to get phone calls from Google Ads search campaigns. There are three methods that are the most direct way to get calls, but each method comes with some major advantages and drawbacks. Learn the truth about how to get phone calls in this focused, dedicated episode. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

29m
Oct 27, 2025
Huge Q&A: 5 Questions + SPECIAL BONUS! (Episode 484)

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions about google ads from podcast subscribers. The questions cover important topics like how to improve Google shopping campaigns, how to keep track of your changes in google ads, and why Max AI is not as great as people think it is. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

48m
Oct 20, 2025
PPC Basics: How to Improve Quality Score (Episode 483)

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to improve quality score in Google Ads search campaigns. Plus 9 things that do not improve quality score but many people still think makes a difference. Also Chris answers a question from a listener about display campaigns and demand gen campaigns. Lets 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

34m
Oct 13, 2025
PPC Basics: How To Manage a Search Campaign (Episode 482)

Learn the best advice I can give to someone managing a Google Ads campaign. Management is all about setting a goal based on the Phase that you are in. And then managing for that goal! It is really that simple. Check out this weeks episode to learn about some example goals you can set to help you manage 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

30m
Oct 06, 2025
A Warning to 10+ Year Old Accounts (Episode 481)

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how to avoid those wasteful clicks from job seekers. Also a deeper discussion and warning to accounts that are over 10 years old because there are specific areas that can cause your account to suffer if you dont pay close attention. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

35m
Sep 29, 2025
Huge Q&A About Google Ads (Episode 480)

This week Chris answers four questions from listeners about Google certifications, how to see audience data, and a big question that many people are asking... Does Google Ads even work any more? If you are having trouble with your account this might be a critical episode for you to hear! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

40m
Sep 21, 2025
How to Revive a Stale Campaign (Episode 479)

This week Chris Schaeffer discusses 5 specific tips to take a campaign from stale to stellar! Learn how most campaigns stay in "phase 2" and never make it to "phase 3".  Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

32m
Sep 15, 2025
How to Stop Spam and Bot Traffic & Leads (Episode 478)

In this episode, we break down how to spot and stop spam traffic and leads before they drain your budget. We cover the risks of leaving Search Partners and Display Network wide open, including mobile apps, ad farm sites, and suspiciously high CTRs. You’ll learn why location targeting should be set to “people in or regularly in your targeted area” and why “interested in” leads to bad traffic, especially with Search Partners. We also dive into shady search terms like competitor names, phone numbers, and support queries that often signal spam. We explain why chasing cheap clicks under $1 CPC can be dangerous, especially with broad match keywords. You’ll hear why click fraud tools are not a real solution, and how data exclusion can help when spam waves or tracking issues pop up. Finally, we put all the red flags together to show how Google’s recommendations often push you toward clicks, while the smarter move is optimizing for real conversions. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_kJty78-Dhg Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

31m
Sep 01, 2025
Answering Your Questions About Google Ads (Episode 477)

Lets talk about brand keywords and why they are the most dangerous and most abused traffic in Google Ads. Were answering emails from listeners today and weve got some good ones! From bid strategies to search campaigns to performance max we cover it all in this weeks episode about Google Ads. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PkihXZ5FulY Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

35m
Aug 25, 2025
The Right Way to Use Audiences (Episode 476)

What will Google look like 5 years from now? This week Chris Schaeffer discusses how AI will change the way people search and gather information and what that means for PPC managers. Also Chris discusses the right way to use audiences in Google Ads. If you arent using audiences in your search campaigns this episode is critically important for you to hear! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n1Bt9LHwSs0 Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

33m
Aug 18, 2025
When Automation Fails: Broad Match vs Manual Control in Google Ads (Episode 475)

There is a scam going around to Google Ads managers that could cause some major destruction for anyone that is caught by the scammers. In this episode of the Paid Search Podcast Chris Schaeffer talks about how to avoid scammers and a very important issue around Google Ads automation and how to build a successful campaign when that automation fails. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O9x9Y6KQbtk Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

34m
Aug 11, 2025
Competitor Campaigns: When, Why, and How (Episode 474)

Lets talk about quality score, bidding, and competitor campaigns! This week we dive into a discussion on some of the more complicated factors in Google Ads that throw many advertisers for a loop. And especially the always complex decision of whether or not to target your competitors in PPC. Lets 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/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SFbHl80f9ds Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

34m
Aug 04, 2025
How to Audit a Failing Google Ads Account (Episode 473)

If you are having issues with a campaign on Google Ads that continues to offer no results, no conversions, and no sales todays episode can help solve that problem. Chris Schaeffer discusses the 4 levels of failure in Google Ads that most advertisers experience at some point. Learn how to audit your own campaign and find the solution to your broken campaigns! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e8JpIqsrzqs Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

30m
Jul 28, 2025
Answering Questions from Listeners! (Episode 472)

This week Chris Schaeffer answers questions about Google Ads from listeners. He discusses how to manage accounts that use automated bidding, a question about the Display network, and how to properly structure your Google Ads account for success. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iout4Jkq670 Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

32m
Jul 21, 2025
Deep Dive: Successful E-Commerce Campaign Strategy (Episode 471)

This week Joey Bidner does a deep dive into a Google Ads account that focuses on e-commerce and local "foot traffic" searches to drive sales. Learn all about strategies to manage different types of searches to drive a wide variety of traffic for a winning set of campaigns! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hfqpnksrp9o Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

37m
Jul 14, 2025
Cookie Consent Explained from a Google Ads Perspective (Episode 470)

Joey Bidner discusses what Google Ads advertisers need to know about consent mode. You’ll learn why it is important for any website utilizing paid ads on Google! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Concent Mode Partner Support: https://cmppartnerprogram.withgoogle.com/ Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C1_3tOwwHTQ Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

27m
Jul 07, 2025
The Budget Bulls-Eye Principle (Episode 469)

Do you know the right time to increase your budget? Is your budget causing your campaign to fail? In this weeks episode Chris Schaeffer discusses a new principle that new Google Ads advertisers must understand about choosing the right budget in Google Ads. If you budget is too small it can actually keep you from getting conversions! Lets talk about it! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/guosUGMayEk Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

22m
Jun 30, 2025
Most Advertisers Get Audience Bid Adjustments Wrong (Episode 468)

This week Chris Schaeffer & Joey Bidner discuss some important factors to consider when using audiences in Google Ads. Also answers questions from listeners and this week it is about how to create a successful B2B search campaign when you cant find the right traffic. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.com Joey Bidner - https://joeybidner.com/  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yj0we6WrfRQ Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

35m
Jun 23, 2025
My Favorite Google Ads Script (Episode 467)

This week Artur MacLellan shares his Google Ads script that can help advertisers manage their search terms. If you are having a lot of problems blocking unwanted searches coming from your keywords this is a great tool to manage your negative keywords. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Step-by-Step Google Ads Script Installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM3YOZDrjt0 Chris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GdmZXKDhwYg Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

40m
Jun 16, 2025
9 Buttons You Should Never Click (Episode 466)

Dont click on these 9 buttons in Google Ads. Search partners, fake conversions, TCPA bidding, competitor keywords, search not shopping, TROAS, exact match keywords, performance max, and broad match keywords. They are all off limits for some advertisers at there. Find out more in this weeks episode! Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lmkGyfbzZ_M Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

35m
Jun 09, 2025
New Changes Coming to Google This Year (Episode 465)

New updates from Google happening now. Learn what is new from campaign types and advertising changes happening in Google Ads this year. Also Chris Schaeffer discusses using "friction" the right way in your Google Ads campaigns to drive the best traffic for your business. Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/psp Chris Schaeffer - https://www.chrisschaeffer.com Joey Bidner: https://joeybidner.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BcXaBsX3-gM Submit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

36m
Jun 02, 2025