What Google Ads actually is
Google Ads is the paid side of Google. When you search for "emergency plumber near me," the first few results are usually ads. They carry a small "Sponsored" label. Everything below them is the free, organic listing.
For a local business, three formats do most of the work. Each one fits a different kind of customer.
- Search ads: text ads that show when someone types a phrase you picked, such as "teeth whitening Woodland Hills." The click goes to your website or a page built for that offer.
- Local services ads and call-focused campaigns: ads built to make your phone ring. They show your business name, rating and a call button. These suit plumbers, locksmiths, law offices, movers and similar trades.
- Maps ads: paid placements inside Google Maps and the map section of search results. They help when the customer is looking for a nearby place to walk into.