Last year, Google Ads updated the Expanded Text Ads to include an additional third headline and a second description. With this change, advertisers got more room to display information. But has it also improved the performance of the ads?
Here is what changed from the previous ETA ad format to the current renewed one:
| Previous ETA Character Limit | New ETA Character Limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline 1 | 30 characters | 30 characters |
| Headline 2 | 30 characters | 30 characters |
| Headline 3 | – NA- | 30 characters |
| Description 1 | 80 characters | 90 characters |
| Description 2 | -NA- | 90 characters |
We dug into three of our accounts and pulled out data to compare the ETA performances and saw some contrasting results.
Account 1
On normalizing the data from the first account, we found that at a 12% higher CPC, 3 headline ETAs had a high CTR at 18% and a 2% high conversion rate when compared with 2 headline ETAs. The spend of 3 headline ETA was at at its peak at 102% and about 83% more conversions than 2 headline ETAs.
Account 2
In another account, the spend of 3 headline ETAs was 64% less than 2 headline ETAs and the result was 48% low clicks and 22% lower CTR with 15% low conversion rate at a 30% low CPC.
.png)
Account 3
In the third account, the spend of 3 headline ETAs was 93% lower than that of 2 headline ETAs. On comparing other metrics we found that the clicks were 94% lower than 2 headline ETAs at a 20% high CPC and a 4% low conversion rate and 95% low conversions.
Disclaimer: This account is in the early stage of ETA rollout and only a small subset of ad groups have the 3 headline ETAs running. Hence the data for 3 headline ETAs appears lower when compared with 2 headline ETAs (the latter having been active for quite a while now)
And it’s a mixed bag!
There is no one final conclusion that can be drawn here. Of all the three accounts that we analyzed, the Account 1’s 3 headline ETAs performed better than the remaining. However its performance cannot just be attributed to the addition of the third headline and second description.
Also, one must make a note, that it is not guaranteed that your 3rd headline and 2nd description will get displayed and there is no data to prove so. So, drawing a legitimate conclusion from this becomes all the more difficult.
Nevertheless, here are the comparison of the three accounts basis the performance metrics:
The table shows data in context to 3 headline ETAs (high or low) when compared with 2 headline ETAs
| Account 1 | Account 2 | Account 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTR | +18% | -22% | -3% |
| CPC | +12% | -30% | +20% |
| Conversion Rate |
Next Steps
If you are creating a new campaign or ad group, then it is advisable to launch only the 3 headline ETAs, but if you have an existing ad group with 2 headline ETAs performing well, then don’t pause them.
Test Your Expanded Text Ads
With our AdWords script advertisers can download a detailed ad performance report that will help identify the winning and poor performing text ads in your account. Get this script to find how your ads have been faring.
How has the new ETAs performed for you and what is your take on the change?
Let us know in comments below.
Related Links:
- AdWords Expanded Text Ads Excel Ad Template
- [Product Update] Expanded Text Ad Preview Tool Updated
- Key Things To Keep In Mind With Expanded Text Ads
Stop the wasted ad spend. Get more conversions from the same ad budget.
Our customers save over $16 Million per year on Google and Amazon Ads.