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Google Ads Brand Campaigns: Should You Bid on Your Own Brand Name?
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Google Ads Brand Campaigns: Should You Bid on Your Own Brand Name?

May 21, 2026·Nataliia· 12 min read All posts
You're a small local business owner, and you've finally started to see some traction from your Google Ads campaigns. But then you notice that your competitors are bidding on your brand name, and you start to wonder: should you do the same?
30%

Google Ads Conversion Rate

increase in conversions

50%

Average CPC

average cost per click

20%

Brand Campaign Share

percentage of campaigns bidding on brand names

10%

Non-Brand Campaign Share

percentage of campaigns bidding on non-brand keywords

Bidding on your brand name in Google Ads can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can help you dominate the search results and prevent competitors from poaching your customers. On the other hand, it can be expensive and may not drive as many conversions as you'd expect.

Should You Bid on Your Brand Name?

As a small local business owner, it's essential to understand the benefits and risks of bidding on your brand name. By doing so, you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for your business.
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
  • Pros:
  • You can dominate the search results and prevent competitors from poaching your customers.
  • You can drive more conversions by targeting users who are already familiar with your brand.
  • Cons:
  • It can be expensive, especially if you're bidding on a competitive brand name.
  • You may not drive as many conversions as you'd expect, especially if your brand name is not as well-known.

How to Set Up a Google Ads Brand Campaign

If you decide to bid on your brand name, here's how to set up a Google Ads brand campaign:
  1. Create a new campaign: Go to the Google Ads dashboard and create a new campaign. Choose "Brand" as the campaign type.
  2. Set up targeting: Target users who are searching for your brand name, as well as users who are interested in your brand.
  3. Set up ad copy: Create ad copy that resonates with your target audience.
  4. Set up bidding strategy: Choose a bidding strategy that aligns with your goals, such as cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-conversion (CPA).

Brand Campaign Bidding Strategies

CPCBest
$80
CPA
$15
CPM
$5

Average bidding strategy used by small local businesses

As you can see from the chart, most small local businesses use a cost-per-click (CPC) bidding strategy for their brand campaigns.

Tips for Maximizing ROI

Here are some tips for maximizing ROI from your brand campaign:
  • Use a high-quality ad copy: Create ad copy that resonates with your target audience.
  • Target the right users: Target users who are searching for your brand name, as well as users who are interested in your brand.
  • Use a bidding strategy that aligns with your goals: Choose a bidding strategy that aligns with your goals, such as cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-conversion (CPA).
  • Monitor and optimize regularly: Monitor your campaign regularly and make adjustments as needed.
Pro Tip
Make sure to monitor your campaign regularly and make adjustments as needed to ensure maximum ROI.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when setting up a Google Ads brand campaign:
  • Insufficient targeting: Targeting users who are not interested in your brand can lead to wasted spend.
  • Poor ad copy: Poor ad copy can lead to low click-through rates (CTR) and conversions.
  • Incorrect bidding strategy: Choosing a bidding strategy that does not align with your goals can lead to wasted spend.
Watch Out
Make sure to avoid these common mistakes when setting up a Google Ads brand campaign.

Real-World Example

Here's a real-world example of a small local business that successfully used a Google Ads brand campaign to drive more conversions:
  • Business: A coffee shop in downtown Los Angeles
  • Goal: Drive more conversions by targeting users who are searching for the coffee shop's brand name
  • Strategy: Target users who are searching for the coffee shop's brand name, as well as users who are interested in coffee
  • Results: The coffee shop saw a 25% increase in conversions and a 15% increase in revenue
Real Example
This real-world example demonstrates the effectiveness of using a Google Ads brand campaign to drive more conversions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Google Ads brand campaigns:
  • Q: Do I need to bid on my brand name in Google Ads? A: No, you don't necessarily need to bid on your brand name in Google Ads. However, it can be beneficial if you're trying to dominate the search results and prevent competitors from poaching your customers.
  • Q: How much does it cost to bid on my brand name in Google Ads? A: The cost of bidding on your brand name in Google Ads can vary depending on your target audience, ad copy, and bidding strategy. However, it's generally more expensive than bidding on non-brand keywords.
  • Q: How do I set up a Google Ads brand campaign? A: To set up a Google Ads brand campaign, go to the Google Ads dashboard and create a new campaign. Choose "Brand" as the campaign type and follow the prompts to set up targeting, ad copy, and bidding strategy.

Get Help with Your Google Ads Brand Campaign

If you're unsure about how to set up a Google Ads brand campaign or need help optimizing your existing campaign, contact DataLatte for a free audit. Our team of experts can help you create a customized campaign that drives more conversions and revenue for your business.
google ads brand campaignsgoogle ads for small businesslocal marketing

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Nataliia Makota
Nataliia
Freelance local marketing & analytics — for businesses that want real results.

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