How Long Does It Take For Google Ads To Start Working?
Mar 28, 2022If your question is, "How long does it take for Google ads to start working profitably?', then the short answer is ... 7 days. But, technically, there are multiple ways for ads to 'work', so we will cover these in this article as well.
The reason why we know whether your Google Ads campaign will be profitable after the first 7 days is because this is when Google Ads has completed your initial learning phase.
The learning phase in Google Ads is Google giving your ads a test vs other competitor ads, and they are checking:
- Will your ads actually be clicked on?
- Is it good for users? ie: Do people stay on your website & complete any conversion actions.
This covers the key metrics in Google Ads to check after the first 7 days to ensure your campaign delivers results and remains profitable. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of how long it takes for your ads to progress through different working phases.
Google Ads Timeline
Knowing the timeline helps you gauge when to expect meaningful results. Here’s a closer look at each stage:
Ad Review Period (24-48 Hours):
- Google checks your ad copy, images, and landing pages for compliance.
- If any issues arise, you’ll be notified to fix and resubmit.
Learning Phase (Approximately 7 Days):
- Google’s algorithm tests your ad’s performance against competitors.
- It gathers data on click-through rates, user engagement, and conversion actions.
- During this time, performance may be inconsistent as the system fine-tunes your ad delivery.
Post-Learning Optimization (2-4 Weeks or More):
- After the learning phase, expect gradual improvement as adjustments are made.
- Continuous testing (such as A/B testing ad copy or keywords) refines results.
- Full optimization can take 2-3 months for stable, long-term performance.
👉 Google Ads Tutorial 2025 for Beginners
Which Factors Are Influencing Google Ads Performance
When you run Google Ads, several key factors can really make a difference in how quickly your campaigns perform. The size of your budget, the type of bidding strategy you choose, and the quality of your ads all play a part. By focusing on these areas, you can give your campaigns a better chance to succeed.
- A bigger budget helps the algorithm collect data faster.
- Smart bidding strategies like Maximize Conversions or Target CPA allow Google to automatically adjust bids.
- High-quality ad copy, headlines, and landing pages improve your Quality Score.
- Accurate conversion tracking and ample data help the system understand what works.
- Precise audience targeting and knowledge of industry competition affect overall optimization speed.
Strategies and Best Practices to Accelerate Success
If you’re eager to speed up your campaign’s performance, there are several practical strategies you can use. These steps will help move your campaign out of the learning phase more quickly and get you closer to consistent, profitable results.
Start by doing thorough keyword research with tools such as Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush. This helps you pick out high-intent keywords that are more likely to convert. Next, focus on writing clear and engaging ad copy that immediately tells users what they can expect. Using ad extensions like sitelinks or callouts can also provide extra reasons for people to click on your ad.
Here are some specific strategies:
- Use smart bidding so that Google’s machine learning can automatically adjust your bids.
- Run A/B tests on different ad versions or landing pages to discover what works best.
- Adjust your ad settings based on when and where your audience is most active.
By following these steps, you’ll help your campaign gather valuable data faster and start producing better results sooner.