BE Digital Knowledge base

Welcome to the BE Digital knowledge base, a source full of articles on digital topics. Our knowledge base is continually updated with the latest insights. We also regularly publish valuable whitepapers that offer in-depth analysis and advice. For the latest news and trends, visit our blog.

Jamie Schelling - BE Digital

Written by

Digital Marketing & AI Automation

Updated on 11 December 2024

Custom segmentation in Google Ads

Custom segmentation is an indispensable tool for digital marketers. In this blog we explain why you should use custom segmentation, what the benefits are and how it takes your Google Ads campaigns to a higher level. Custom segmentation in Google Ads allows advertisers to divide their target audience into specific groups based on interests, behaviour and demographic data. This advanced targeting method ensures your ads are more relevant to your audience, which leads to better campaign performance.

The power of URL targeting in custom segmentation

An often overlooked but extremely powerful aspect of custom segmentation is the ability to target visitors based on specific websites or URL patterns. This means you can aim your ads at people who have visited certain websites or have landed on pages with similar URL structures.
Imagine you have a web shop that sells sports shoes. With URL targeting you can create a segment of visitors who have been on your competitors' websites. You can even get more specific and target people who have visited your competitors' running shoe pages. You simply add these URLs to your custom segments in Google Ads, which allows you to reach a highly targeted group of potential customers.

Why use custom segmentation in your Google Ads strategy?

In the competitive world of online advertising it is crucial to tailor your message to your target audience. Custom segmentation in Google Ads offers the perfect solution for this. It allows you to:
  • Reach your target audience more precisely
  • Spend your advertising budget more efficiently
  • Increase the relevance of your ads
  • Target visitors of specific websites or URL patterns

A practical example of custom segmentation

Imagine: you run an online sports shop. With custom segmentation in Google Ads you can set up different campaigns for runners, yoga practitioners and fitness enthusiasts. Each group sees ads that match their interests and needs exactly.
In addition, with URL targeting you can create a segment of people who have recently looked at running shoes on popular sports websites. By adding these URLs to your segment, you can reach this highly relevant target audience with targeted running shoe offers in your web shop.

The benefits of custom segmentation for your Google Ads campaigns

By applying custom segmentation in your Google Ads strategy, you can achieve various benefits:
  • Higher click-through rates (CTR)
  • Improved conversion rates
  • Lower cost per click (CPC)
  • Increased return on ad spend (ROAS)
  • More targeted reach of potential customers based on their website visits
These improvements are the result of more relevant and targeted ads that resonate with your specific target audiences.

How do you implement custom segmentation in Google Ads?

Implementing custom segmentation in your Google Ads campaigns requires a well-considered approach:
  1. Analyse your current data to identify relevant segments
  2. Create specific ad groups for each segment
  3. Adapt your ad copy and landing pages for each segment
  4. Use URL targeting to reach visitors of specific websites
  5. Monitor performance and keep optimising
When adding URLs to your segments, think strategically about which websites or URL patterns are most relevant to your target audience. These can be competing websites, but also news sites, blogs or forums related to your products or services. At BE Digital we have helped countless clients improve their Google Ads results with custom segmentation. From e-commerce companies to B2B service providers, we have seen conversions rise and advertising costs fall thanks to this powerful strategy.

Ready to take your Google Ads campaigns to the next level?

Custom segmentation in Google Ads is more than a trend – it's an essential strategy for modern digital marketing. It allows you to be more precise, efficient and effective in your online advertising efforts. At BE Digital we specialise in optimising Google Ads campaigns with advanced techniques such as custom segmentation and URL targeting. Whether you're an experienced marketer or just getting started with Google Ads, we can help you get the most out of your campaigns.
Would you like to know more about how custom segmentation and URL targeting can improve your Google Ads campaigns? Get in touch with us today for a no-obligation conversation. 

Frequently asked questions

What is custom segmentation in Google Ads?

With custom segmentation you divide your audience into specific groups based on interests, behaviour and demographic data. This advanced targeting method makes your ads more relevant to your audience, which leads to better campaign performance.

How does URL targeting work in custom segmentation?

With URL targeting you aim your ads at people who have visited certain websites or pages with similar URL structures. For example, you can create a segment of visitors to competitors' running shoe pages by adding those URLs to your custom segments.

What are the benefits of custom segmentation for my Google Ads campaigns?

You can achieve higher click-through rates, better conversion rates, lower costs per click and a higher return on ad spend (ROAS). This is because your ads are more relevant and more targeted for specific audiences.

Jamie Schelling - BE Digital

About the author

Digital Marketing & AI Automation

Jamie Schelling is a Digital Marketing & AI Automation specialist at BE Digital. She combines data, campaigns and automation to make digital performance visible and to improve it structurally.