In today’s digital era, Google Ads has emerged as a crucial tool for businesses looking to expand their reach beyond borders. Many advertisers in India want to run campaigns targeting audiences in the USA and other countries, but they often face challenges related to account setup, billing, optimization, and compliance with Google’s policies. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the exact steps required to successfully run Google Ads from India for campaigns targeting international markets, ensuring optimal performance and compliance.
1. Setting Up Your Google Ads Account
To start running Google Ads targeting the USA, follow these steps:
- Sign up for Google Ads: Visit Google Ads and create an account.
- Choose the right account type: Opt for a business account rather than a personal one to access advanced features.
- Set your billing country as India: You can still target other countries while keeping your billing location in India.
- Select the correct currency: Choose INR (Indian Rupees) or USD (US Dollars) based on your payment preferences.
Choosing the Right Google Ads Account Type
- Individual Advertiser: Suitable for freelancers or small businesses.
- Manager Account (MCC): Recommended for agencies managing multiple client accounts.
- Google Ads Grant Accounts: Applicable for non-profits targeting the USA.
2. Configuring Campaign Settings for USA Targeting
a. Selecting the Right Campaign Type
When running Google Ads from India targeting the USA, it’s crucial to select the appropriate campaign type:
- Search Ads – Best for generating leads and website traffic.
- Display Ads – Ideal for brand awareness and remarketing.
- Shopping Ads – Suitable for e-commerce businesses.
- Video Ads – Useful for YouTube marketing.
- Performance Max – A new AI-driven campaign for maximizing conversions.
b. Setting the Right Geographic Targeting
- Navigate to Campaign Settings > Locations > Enter USA as the target location.
- Use advanced location options to select “People in the targeted location” to ensure ads reach real USA users.
- Exclude countries where you don’t want your ads to appear.
c. Setting the Correct Time Zone
- Although your billing country is India, set the time zone to Eastern Time (ET) or Pacific Time (PT) to align with USA audience activity.
3. Payment and Billing Methods for Google Ads in India
One of the major concerns advertisers face is how to pay for Google Ads in India while targeting the USA. Google Ads supports multiple payment methods:
a. Prepaid (Manual Payment)
- Load funds in advance to your Google Ads account.
- Payment methods: Credit/Debit Cards, UPI, Net Banking.
b. Postpaid (Automatic Payment)
- Google deducts the amount automatically once the billing threshold is reached.
- Requires an international credit card (Visa/MasterCard) or PayPal.
c. Credit Line from Google
- For high-budget advertisers, Google may offer a credit line based on a billing cycle.
Pro Tip: To avoid payment issues, use an international debit/credit card or a Google Ads VCC (Virtual Credit Card) from providers like Entropay or Payoneer.
4. Optimizing Google Ads for Better Results in the USA
a. Keyword Research for USA Audience
- Use Google Keyword Planner to find high-performing keywords specific to the USA market.
- Prioritize long-tail keywords for better conversion rates.
- Analyze competitors using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or SpyFu.
b. Ad Copy and Language Preferences
- Write ad copy using American English, avoiding UK English spelling.
- Focus on USA-specific offers, promotions, and cultural references.
c. Ad Extensions for Better CTR
- Use Sitelink Extensions to link additional pages.
- Add Call Extensions with a USA-based phone number (use Google Voice or Skype).
- Use Location Extensions if you have a local presence in the USA.
5. Complying with Google Ads Policies
To avoid account suspensions or disapprovals, follow these best practices:
- Ensure correct business verification: Google may ask for documents verifying your business.
- Avoid misleading content: Ensure transparency in ad offers and pricing.
- Check restricted content policies: Some niches like healthcare, finance, or gambling have strict guidelines.
- Use a USA landing page: If possible, host a localized landing page for better ad approval and performance.
6. Using Google Ads VPN for Running Ads in the USA
If you want to manage ads as if you were in the USA, consider using a premium VPN:
- NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark offer stable connections.
- Set the server location to USA to access local Google Ads features.
- Do not use VPNs for fraudulent activities, as Google may flag your account.
7. Tracking and Measuring Campaign Performance
To improve your Google Ads performance targeting the USA, use these tracking tools:
a. Google Analytics Integration
- Set up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to track website performance.
- Link Google Ads & GA4 for better conversion tracking.
b. Conversion Tracking Setup
- Use Google Tag Manager to track form submissions, calls, and purchases.
- Implement Enhanced Conversions for accurate data.
c. A/B Testing for Better Performance
- Run multiple ad variations to test headlines, descriptions, and CTAs.
- Use Google Optimize for landing page testing.
Conclusion
Running Google Ads from India targeting the USA requires proper setup, payment optimization, ad customization, and compliance. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can successfully reach USA audiences, maximize conversions, and scale your business globally.For further insights, continue exploring advanced strategies and take your digital marketing success to the next level!