What defines a shopping campaign in Google Ads?

A shopping campaign in Google Ads is specifically designed to promote product listings in search results. This type of campaign allows retailers to showcase their products directly within Google’s search results, typically including features such as product images, prices, and the store name. This format is particularly beneficial for e-commerce businesses, as it provides a visual representation of their products and enhances the chances of attracting potential customers who are actively searching for those specific items.

The primary objective of shopping campaigns is to drive sales by making it easier for consumers to browse and compare products directly from the search results. These ads are often displayed above or to the side of traditional search results, which helps to increase visibility and can lead to higher click-through rates.

In contrast, campaigns aimed at promoting service offerings, targeting social media platforms, or focusing on display advertising are not aligned with the intent and structure of shopping campaigns. Service offerings are best suited for different campaign types, as they typically do not involve tangible products that can be displayed visually. Social media platforms and display advertising focus on different methods of connecting with audiences that do not rely on product feed data or the shopping tab on Google.