Focus Your Ads

Dan Caston
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the podcast dedicated to helping you grow your service business with Google Search Ads. Each week, we bring you actionable tips, insights, and updates to elevate your business through highly targeted search advertising. Whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, or anyone looking to get results with Google Ads, we break down strategies specifically for service businesses to maximize leads and conversions. Don’t get lost in the online ad jungle—hit subscribe, tune in, and let’s drive your business forward together. 

  1. The ONLY Google Ads Metrics That Actually Matter in 2026

    5D AGO

    The ONLY Google Ads Metrics That Actually Matter in 2026

    Ever opened your Google Ads dashboard and felt completely overwhelmed by all the numbers staring back at you? You're definitely not alone. Here's the thing: the biggest problem most advertisers face isn't a lack of data. It's that they're looking at the wrong data, or they're completely misinterpreting what they're seeing. And that leads to bad decisions, wasted budget, and a whole lot of frustration. In this episode, I walk through the Google Ads metrics that actually matter for your business—which ones are genuinely useful, which ones only matter in specific contexts, and which ones can quietly lead you in the completely wrong direction if you don't understand what they're really telling you. IN THIS EPISODE: Click-Through Rate (CTR) - Why this metric is excellent for testing ad copy but dangerous when used as a primary success metric. I'll show you exactly when high CTR is actually a warning sign. Cost Per Lead/Cost Per Acquisition - This is where things start to feel real, but it's also where most people stop. I explain why cost per lead is meaningless without understanding your closing rate and customer value, and why two businesses with the same CPL can have completely different outcomes. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) - The king of metrics. I break down why ROAS changes everything, how to track conversion value properly, and why offline conversions are a game-changer for service businesses. Impression Share - The most underappreciated metric in Google Ads. This tells you whether you actually have room to scale or if you've already maxed out available demand. I also explain the critical difference between losing impression share due to budget vs. losing it due to rank. Supporting Metrics - Cost per click, Quality Score, conversion rate, and position metrics. These all matter, but only in context. I'll show you how to think about them properly. The Big Picture - How to stop reacting emotionally to individual metrics and start making confident, deliberate decisions by understanding how metrics work together in groups. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: Business owners running their own Google AdsMarketers managing PPC campaignsAnyone who feels confused or overwhelmed by Google Ads dataExperienced advertisers who want to sharpen their analytical approachKEY INSIGHT: No single metric tells the full story. Metrics work in groups. When you understand what each metric is actually FOR and when it should influence a decision, managing Google Ads becomes calmer, more predictable, and way less stressful. FREE RESOURCE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: I created a completely free Google Ads Audit Checklist to help you put this into practice. You can download it at focusmoreleads.com - it's designed to help you find waste in your account in a quick and organized way. No fluff, no credit card required. CONNECT WITH ME: 🌐 Website: https://focusyourads.ca 📧 Questions or topics you want covered? Send them my way! If you found this episode valuable, please leave a rating and review—it helps other advertisers find the show. And if you know someone who's struggling with their Google Ads account, share this episode with them. Thanks for listening, and I'll catch you in the next one!

    19 min
  2. The One Thing That Will Keep Your Google Ads Profitable in 2026

    FEB 4

    The One Thing That Will Keep Your Google Ads Profitable in 2026

    In this podcast, I explain why conversion tracking has become the most important lever in Google Ads in 2026, and how the data you send into the platform directly affects your costs, lead quality, and ability to scale. We’ll look at how modern Google Ads campaigns actually work, why bad tracking quietly hurts performance, and how strong accounts use better data to make smarter decisions. This isn’t a setup tutorial. It’s about understanding how conversion data shapes everything in your account, from bidding and targeting to budget decisions and long-term stability. If you run Google Ads for your own business or manage accounts for clients, this will help you stop guessing and start operating with more confidence. ▶ Learn how to set up basic conversion tracking for forms and phone calls: https://youtu.be/7r8Pjzcd-wk ▶If you’d like help improving your tracking, structure, or overall Google Ads performance, you can learn more about my management and consulting services here: https://focusyourads.ca

    7 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    #34 - Top Google Ads Metrics to Watch

    These are some of the top Google Ads metrics to watch in your account.  If you want to work with us, visit https://focusyourads.ca

    34 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    #33 - The 3 Pillars of Profitable Google Ads

    Learn about the 3 pillars of Google Ads that really hold the whole system up. Great episode for anyone getting started in Google Ads. If you want to work with us, reach out at https://focusyourads.ca

    16 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    #32 - How Much Should You Spend on Google Ads? (For Business Owners)

    Not sure how much to budget for Google Ads? In this episode, Dan breaks down the math step-by-step so you can figure out exactly what to spend, how to calculate your cost per lead, and when to scale up or pull back. Learn how to set realistic goals, avoid wasted spend, and build a campaign that actually grows your business. Want more help? Reach out to us at focusyourads.ca

    24 min

  6. 08/11/2025

    #31 - Diving into the Alpha/Beta Shopping Ads (Ecommerce)

    In this episode we dive into the alpha beta setup for a shopping campaign. This is a bit more technical, but it is the best way to control search terms for any shopping campaign. Essentially you can show up for exactly what you want to show for.  If you are interested in working with us, either send us an email at support@focusyourads.com or visit our website at https://focusyourads.com.

    20 min

  7. 08/08/2025

    #30 - When Performance Max falls off a cliff (Google Ads)

    In this episode I dive into a few ideas on what you can do when you see your Performance Max fall off a cliff. I also talk about how to future proof your account so you don't have this happen.

    14 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    #29 – How to Structure Your Ad Groups in Google Ads (and What to Avoid)

    In this episode, I break down how to properly structure your ad groups in Google Ads. Whether you're just getting started or you've been running campaigns for a while, your ad group setup can make or break your results. I cover: • The right way to group keywords • When to split into separate campaigns • Common mistakes to avoid • How to keep your structure lean and effective If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re overcomplicating things or not doing enough, this episode will help you find the balance. Want to work with me? Visit focusyourads.com or email me at support@focusyourads.com. Want to get access to our new course when released? Send us a quick email at support@focusyourads.com

    25 min
See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the podcast dedicated to helping you grow your service business with Google Search Ads. Each week, we bring you actionable tips, insights, and updates to elevate your business through highly targeted search advertising. Whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, or anyone looking to get results with Google Ads, we break down strategies specifically for service businesses to maximize leads and conversions. Don’t get lost in the online ad jungle—hit subscribe, tune in, and let’s drive your business forward together. 

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Caston
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 13696634 Canada Inc.
  • Show Website
    Focus Your Ads