Industry Benchmarks for Google Ads: Key Metrics & Insights

Navigating PPC for the first time or working with a new client can be challenging, especially when trying to gauge success. While everyone aims to create standout ads with the highest CTRs and best conversion rates, what qualifies as a good metric can vary significantly between industries. So, what benchmarks should you aim for in your specific field?

‍Explore the Google Ads industry benchmarks:‍

Average click-through rate (CTR)
Average cost per click (CPC)
Average conversion rate (CVR)
Average cost per action (CPA)

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Are you in marketing or sales? We provide industry-specific benchmarks (averages) for 20 sectors, including Advocacy, E-commerce, and Technology.

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Click-Through Rate(CTR) by Industry wise in Google‍

High Click-Through Rates (CTR): The dating and personal services industry takes the crown with a whopping 6% average CTR on search ads in Google Ads! This makes sense, as emotions run high when people search for love, leading to compelling ad copy. Advocacy, Auto, and Travel also see impressive CTRs.
Improvements Over Time: The legal industry has come a long way! In 2015, stricter advertising regulations kept their average search CTR at a low 1.35%.
Industry Averages: Wondering how your industry stacks up? On average, Google Ads search campaigns see a 3.17% CTR, while display campaigns hover around 0.46%. This is actually good news, as both averages have risen in recent years!

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Cost Per Click(CPC) by Industry wise in Google

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Costly Clicks: Legal services reign supreme when it comes to expensive clicks on Google Search Ads. Competitive keywords like "Lawyer" and "Attorney" drive their average CPC (cost per click) above $6! Consumer services also feel the pinch with an average CPC of $6.40.
Budget-Friendly Options: Advocacy and non-profit organizations benefit from Google Grants, allowing them to set lower max CPC bids (around $2) and enjoy more affordable clicks.
Display Network Savings: Looking for a cost-effective approach? Most industries see significantly lower CPCs on the Google Display Network, with the exception of Dating & Personals
Overall Averages: Across all industries, the average CPC on Google Ads is $2.69 for search and $0.63 for display.

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Conversion Rates(CVR) by Industry wise in Google‍

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Surprise! The landscape of conversion rates has shifted dramatically. Finance and Insurance, once the leaders, have been surpassed by the Dating & Personals industry, boasting a phenomenal average search conversion rate of over 9%! Legal, consumer services, and auto industries are also seeing impressive results.
Winning Strategies Revealed: What's the secret sauce for these top performers? They're likely unafraid to experiment. This could involve tailoring their offers, optimizing conversion funnels, or even leveraging engaging video landing pages to grab attention.
Ecommerce Challenges: While Ecommerce conversion rates might be lower on search and display networks, it's important to understand the context. Ecommerce advertisers often manage vast product catalogs, making it impractical to personalize ad copy for every single keyword.
Industry Benchmarks: For reference, the average conversion rate across Google Ads is 3.75% for search and 0.77% for display.

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Cost Per Action(CPA) by Industry wise in Google‍

Cost-Conscious Champions: Looking for the most affordable conversions? Look no further than the Auto industry! With an average cost per action (CPA) of just $33, they reign supreme in Google Ads.
High-Investment Industries: B2B, real estate, and tech companies typically face steeper costs, with average CPAs exceeding $100.
Industry Benchmarks: Keep in mind, the average CPA across Google Ads is $48.96 for search and $75.51 for display. These figures can serve as a baseline to assess your own campaign performance.