The Roller Coaster That is Google Ads [E158] - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

If you’ve ever felt like your Google Ads were rockin’ one month and dead the next, you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by two of my favorite people, our COO, Hallie Wasinger, and lead CSM, Danni Marks, as we unpack the wild ride that is Google Ads.

This isn’t a blame game or finger-pointing session. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when ad performance drops, whether it's caused by us making strategic changes or Google flipping switches behind the curtain. From the algorithm updates that wrecked March 2024 to the subtle behavioral shifts we’re seeing now in 2025, we cover it all.

You’ll hear why turning off your ads when things get tough might be the worst move, how Local Services Ads (LSA) are stepping in to fill the gap, and why online scheduling isn’t just convenient, it’s essential. We’ll even dig into how your website content and your service advisors' phone skills could be the hidden heroes or villains in your marketing success.

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for this episode. RepairPal will introduce your shop to new customers through repairpal.com, the largest site for auto repair. Learn more at RepairPal.com/shops.

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Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

GOOGLE LOCAL SERVICES ADS

Google’s Local Service Ads – Everything You Need To Know - Blog

Google’s New Local Service Ads: What Auto Repair Shops Need to Know

Having Patience With Google Ads With Hallie Wasinger

Patience is Key With New Google Ads - Blog

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:00:01) Hosts introduce themselves, the topic (Google Ads roller coaster), and thank sponsors.
• The Reality of Google Ads Management (00:01:17) Discussion on misconceptions about Google Ads being "on/off" and the need for ongoing optimization.
• Client Feedback and Trusting the Process (00:03:06) Importance of client feedback, knee-jerk reactions, and trusting expert teams during ad fluctuations.
• Addressing Industry Concerns and Performance Drops (00:04:01) Responding to industry chatter about ad performance drops and explaining the episode’s educational intent.
• Impact of Large-Scale Changes in Google Ads (00:05:15) How significant campaign changes trigger the learning phase and temporarily impact performance.
• Client Involvement and Its Effects (00:06:22) Challenges when clients request frequent changes and the need for education and boundaries.
• Troubleshooting Declining Results (00:08:04) Example of troubleshooting an underperforming account and the impact of repeated budget cuts.
• Google-Initiated Changes: The Great Ads Exodus (00:09:30)