Why Are My Google Ads Not Working?

Google Ads can be one of the most powerful marketing tools on the planet—but only when it’s done right. When it’s not, it’s like paying for a billboard in the desert. You’re spending money, but no one’s seeing it, clicking it, or converting.

If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why aren’t my Google Ads working?”—you’re not alone. Every week at David Hannah Marketing, we speak with business owners who feel like their campaigns are invisible or underperforming. Whether you’re new to Google Ads or have been running campaigns for years, the platform has dozens of hidden traps that can cripple your results.

In this article, we break down the most common reasons your ads may not be working, what to do about it, and why working with a marketing professional can save you time, money, and missed opportunities.

Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here 

1. Your Ads Are “Approved” – But Not Running

Seeing that “Approved” tag next to your ad can give you false confidence. Many advertisers assume that means their ads are now being shown to their target audience. In reality, approved doesn’t always mean active.

Here’s what could be happening:

• Low search volume: If your keywords are too narrow or obscure, your ad won’t show often.
• Low budget: If your budget doesn’t cover enough of the day’s search activity, your ad may never enter the auction.
• Low bids: If your competitors are bidding higher for the same keywords, you’ll lose impressions even if your ad is perfect.
• Poor quality score: Google rewards ads that are relevant and useful. If your ad, keywords, and landing page don’t match up, Google will rank you lower.

Solution:
Check campaign delivery insights and auction diagnostics. Raise your daily budget and bid limits if needed. Review keyword match types and ensure your landing page aligns with your ad copy to improve Quality Score.

2. Your Ads Aren’t Showing on Mobile Devices

With over 60% of global web traffic now coming from mobile devices, not appearing on phones is like ignoring more than half your potential customers. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t realise their campaigns are desktop-only or that their landing pages are being penalised for mobile-unfriendliness.

Common causes include:

• Device targeting issues: Mobile devices may have been excluded accidentally.
• Page speed problems: Slow-loading mobile pages are deprioritised by Google.
• Unresponsive design: If your landing page doesn't render well on mobile, users bounce—fast.

Solution:
Enable mobile devices in your campaign settings. Run your landing page through Google’s PageSpeed Insights and mobile-friendliness tests. If needed, create a mobile-first version of your site designed specifically for conversions.

3. Your Display Ads Aren’t Showing Up

Google Display campaigns have the potential to get your brand seen by millions. But unlike search ads, where intent is high, display ads rely heavily on accurate targeting and well-designed creative.

Why they might not be showing:

• Overly restrictive audience targeting: If your selected audience is too narrow, your ads may not have anyone to serve to.
• Asset disapprovals: Even one image or headline disapproved can block an entire ad group.
• Low bids on competitive placements: On the Display Network, sites with high traffic often cost more to appear on.

Solution:
Expand your targeting criteria, review asset status regularly, and test different ad formats (including responsive display ads). Consider setting up custom intent audiences or lookalike audiences to widen your reach without sacrificing relevance.

4. You’re Getting Clicks, But No Conversions

This is one of the most frustrating scenarios. The ad is getting traffic, the click-through rate looks healthy—but no one is buying, signing up, or taking any action.

Conversion issues are rarely about the ad itself—they’re about what happens after the click.

Some common issues:

• Weak landing page design
• Slow load time or technical errors
• Unclear calls to action
• Disconnect between ad copy and landing page
• Tracking errors—goals not configured correctly

Solution:
Review your entire customer journey. Ensure your landing page is tightly aligned with your ad messaging, optimised for speed and mobile use, and contains a clear, irresistible call to action. Verify that your conversion tracking is properly set up in both Google Ads and Google Analytics.

Why Working With a Professional Is Essential

Google Ads can be deceptively complex. It's not just about turning ads on and watching the leads roll in. Between Quality Scores, match types, remarketing audiences, bidding strategies, tracking codes, and mobile responsiveness—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s where we come in.

At David Hannah Marketing, we don’t just manage Google Ads. We build performance marketing engines that drive qualified leads and measurable results.

Here’s why working with us makes a difference:

• We focus on your whole funnel, not just the ad. From impression to conversion, we align every step with your business goals.
• We track everything—and if it’s not trackable, we fix it.
• We speak your language. No jargon, just clear updates and performance reporting you can understand.
• We know how to scale. Whether you’re a local business or aiming for national growth, we’ve helped clients across multiple sectors hit revenue goals and expand fast.

What To Look For In a Google Ads Specialist

Not all marketers are created equal. When choosing a partner to help with Google Ads, look for someone who:

• Understands how landing pages and ad copy interact to drive conversions
• Is experienced with multi-platform integration (Google, Meta, CRM, Analytics)
• Has a track record of long-term campaign growth, not just short-term results
• Prioritises data over opinions—using real numbers to make smart decisions
• Is proactive, not reactive—constantly testing and adjusting

We tick all those boxes.

Let’s Fix Your Ads – Book a Free Strategy Session

If your ads are live but lifeless, we can help.

At David Hannah Marketing, we offer a free 30-minute strategy session to audit your account, identify what’s broken, and outline a path to get it working again.

No commitment. No cookie-cutter answers. Just a clear-eyed look at what’s holding your campaigns back, and a roadmap to fix it.

Book your strategy session today here.