Performance Marketing

Product Listing Ads: What are they and how do you use them?

The PLA or Product Listing Ads represents an online advertising method. developed by Google to promote advertisers' products.

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He uses visual elements such as striking images and clearly displayed prices and aims to attract the attention of users as soon as they conduct relevant searches.

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Its particularity lies in its ability to convert clicks into sales, thanks to an engaging visual presentation of the products.

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Discover How does PLA work and what are the best practices for using them properly.

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What are Product Listing Ads?

Product Listing Ads is a innovative advertising approach which was developed by Google to highlight the products of online advertisers.

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PLA offers a customizing ads based on the buying behaviors of targeted consumers, which reinforces the effectiveness of the advertising strategy.

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By extending its compatibility to other advertising platforms, it greatly expands the reach of ads by reaching a more diverse audience and by strengthening brand awareness.

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With constant performance monitoring, advertisers can adjust their campaigns to optimize results.

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What is the difference between Product Listing Ads and Google Shopping?

Product Listing Ads are a Google Shopping product.

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PLA is a powerful tool offered by Google for help advertisers promote their products online.

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However, even with similar goals, Product Listing Ads and Google Shopping have significant differences.

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Let's take a detailed look at the differences in terms of operation, range, and efficiency.

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Product Listing Ads or PLA

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The visual presentation of PLAs

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Google Product Listing Ads stand out for their visual presentation of products in search results from Google Search.

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On both PC and mobile, they show images, prices, and brief descriptions for each product in order to offer users an enriched visual experience when searching online.

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How Product Listing Ads workΒ 

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PLAs work in combining ads with product data provided by advertisers via the program Google Merchant Center.

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This allows Google to select the most relevant products based on search terms of users and to show them in the search results.

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Targeting with Google PLA

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Google PLAs offer a precise targeting based on keywords, geographic locations, and demographic preferences of users.

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This allows advertisers to effectively reach their target audience and optimize their Product Listing Ads Campaign for the best results.

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PLA integration

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PLAs can be integrated with other Google advertising platforms, such as YouTube and the Display Network to provide more extensive ad reach.

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πŸ‘‰ Read also: How to optimize the conversion of Google Local Inventory Ads ads?

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Google Shopping

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Google Shopping, price comparison platform

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Google Shopping is specially designed for online price comparison. In particular, it allows consumers to research, compare and acquire products from various retailers.

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It thus acts as a virtual catalog bringing together a product feed from various online retailers.

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Showing results in Google Shopping

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Unlike PLAs that appear in traditional search results, Google Shopping shows ads in the form of image carousels with prices directly in the tab”Shoppingβ€œfrom Google.

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Optimizing product data

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To appear on Google Shopping, advertisers must submit product data through the Google Merchant Center program.

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This data includes detailed product information such as title, description, price, and image.

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Comparison and direct purchase

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Google Shopping allows users to compare prices and product features all in one place, making the buying process easier.

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Users can also make purchases directly from the platform, making it a valuable tool for online shoppers.

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Google Shopping vs Product Listing Ads Comparison

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Ad format

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While PLAs focus on the visual presentation of products in search results, Google Shopping offers a specific interface dedicated to online price comparison.

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How it works

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PLAs are based on individual ads, while Google Shopping acts as a price comparison platform that brings together products from different retailers.

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Ported

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PLAs can be integrated with other Google advertising platforms, while Google Shopping focuses specifically on price comparison and online shopping.

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So while PLAs and Google Shopping share similarities in their goal of promote products online, they differ in their display format, operation and scope.

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Advertisers can choose the solution that best fits their advertising goals and to their online marketing strategy.

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πŸ‘‰ Read also: Advertising performance and user experience: towards reconciliation?

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How does Google PLA work?

Google Product Listing Ads offers a improved visibility to your products by presenting them in an attractive way in the search results.

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The visual presentation of these attracts the attention of users immediately, increasing the chances of clicks and conversions.

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The possibility of including a brief description of 45 characters allows highlight the distinctive characteristics of your products, such as special promotions or free shipping.

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By integrating PLA into a Search campaign, you can strengthen the visibility of your offers and optimize your presence on Google.

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Combining PLA with an affiliate program improves the overall user experience, by offering them a easy access to accurate product information and by facilitating the buying process.

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This system of miniaturized price comparison also helps to strengthen the reputation of your brand by highlighting its products in an attractive and convincing way.

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Sponsored links and Google Shopping are interdependent and offer a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote your products and increase their online visibility.

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The Google algorithm uses the keywords associated with your products to select relevant images on Google Shopping and show them at the top of the search results.

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Using Google PLA, you can effectively target users looking for products similar to yours, which increases the chances of conversion and revenue generation.

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The flexibility of PLA allowseasily adapt your ads to the changing needs of the market and consumer preferences. In particular, this ensures the continued effectiveness of your advertising campaigns.

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Thanks to the combination of the power of Google Shopping and sponsored links, PLA offers a comprehensive solution to promote your products effectively and cost-effectively on the largest online search platform.

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The benefits of PLA campaigns

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Thanks to their way of operation, Product Listing Ads campaigns ensure a large number of advantages:

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Increased visibility with Google PLA

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Google PLA offers increased visibility to your products by placing strategically in Google search results.

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With compelling images and clear pricing information, your products capture the attention of users as soon as they conduct relevant research.

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The improved conversion

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The visual presentation of products in search results plays an essential role inincreased conversion rates.

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Users are more likely to click on ads that show engaging images and detailed information, resulting in a better return on investment for your advertising campaigns.

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Ease of use

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Integrating PLA into a Search campaign is simple and effective, allowing you to easily manage your ads and optimize your presence on Google.

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Improving the user experience

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By combining PLA with an affiliate program, you improve the overall user experience by providing easy access to accurate information.

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This builds user trust in your brand and promotes loyalty.

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Brand awareness

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Google Product Listing Ads also contributes to strengthen your brand awareness by highlighting your products in an attractive and convincing way.

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Users are more likely to remember your brand when they see your products professionally presented in search results.

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Optimizing results

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By closely monitoring the performance of your PLA ads, you are in a position toQuickly identify what is working well and that requires adjustments.

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This approach allows you to continuously adapt your advertising campaigns to maximize their results.

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Flexibility and adaptability

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The flexibility of PLA allows you toeasily adjust your ads according to changes in the market or in consumer preferences.

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For example, you can test different ad formats, images, and descriptions to find what works best.

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Integration with other Google advertising platforms

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In addition to Google Search, PLA can also be integrated with other Google advertising platforms.

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This multi-channel integration provides extended reach for your ads, allowing you to reach users across multiple online platforms where they spend time. In this way, you can maximize your presence and reach a more diverse audience.

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Ensuring profitability by targeting needs

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By combining the power of Google Shopping and sponsored links, PLA offers a complete and profitable solution to promote your products online.

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You can maximize your return on investment by effectively targeting users who are interested in your specific products.

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How to track the performance of Product Listing Ads

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Tracking the performance of your Product Listing Ads product ads is critical to optimizing your digital marketing strategy. The methods for carrying out this monitoring effectively are as follows:

Google Analytics integration

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Integrate product ad performance tracking (PLAs) into your Google Analytics account to access in-depth data on user behavior.

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This will allow you to track various metrics such as the number of clicks, the conversion rate, the revenue generated, and other essential indicators.

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Conversion Management

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Set up a conversion tracking system to track the significant actions taken by users after interacting with your product ads (PLAs).

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Data segmentationΒ 

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Segment your tracking data for more accurate insights. For example, you can segment PLA performance by device, geographic location, or even by day of the week to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.

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Performance tracking by productΒ 

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Identify which products are generating the most revenue and conversions with your PLAs ads.

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This will allow you to optimize your bids and marketing strategy to maximize the return on investment of each product.

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A/B testing

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Conduct A/B tests to assess the effect of various changes made to your product ads (PLAs) on their performance.

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In particular, you can explore different options for titles, descriptions, images, and calls to action that improve the relevance and effectiveness of your ads.

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πŸ‘‰ For more information: What is AB Testing?

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7 Best Practices for PLA

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Product advertising best practices (PLA) can help you maximize the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns and achieve your business goals. So here are the best tips you can follow:

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1 - Use high quality images

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Attractive, high-resolution product images are essential for attracting users' attention and encouraging them to click on your ads.

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In particular, you should ensure that they highlight the unique characteristics of your products, which will contribute to their attractiveness and relevance to your audience.

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2 - Write descriptive titles

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To capture the attention of potential buyers, create compelling titles that speak to the essential qualities of your product in a nutshell. Opt for conciseness while highlighting its distinctive assets.

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Titles should be an invitation to discover more, a promise of satisfaction at first glance.

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3 - Optimize descriptions

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Descriptions should provide clear and accurate product information, highlighting their unique benefits and features.

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Avoid excessive technical jargon and make sure your Product Listing Ads are compelling to encourage purchases.

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4 - Select the right keywords

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Choose relevant and targeted keywords for your PLAs ads, taking into account the relevance to your products and their potential for generating qualified traffic.

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Use keyword research tools to identify the most effective terms.

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5 - Optimize bids

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Adjust your bids based on ad performance, with an emphasis on the most profitable products and keywords with high conversion potential.

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6 - Use ad extensions

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Ad extensions can improve the visibility of your PLAs by adding additional information such as links to other pages on your site, customer reviews, or special promotions.

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7 - Follow up regularly

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Regularly analyze the performance of your PLAs ads to identify trends, optimization opportunities, and areas for improvement.

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Use this information to adjust your strategy and maximize the return on investment of your advertising campaigns.

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* * * * *

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Product Listing Ads or PLA represent a online advertising strategy developed by Google to promote advertisers' products.

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With their appealing visual presentation and their ability to convert clicks into sales, PLA offer an effective solution to increase online visibility and revenue online businesses.

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Compared to Google Shopping, PLAs are distinguished by their formatdisplay in search results and their cross-platform integration.

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By regularly monitoring PLA performance and following recommended best practices, advertisers can optimize their advertising campaigns and achieve significant results.

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Written by

Yann Tran

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