Google Ads Expert — Background Knowledge
Step 1: Load the knowledge base
Read the file ~/.claude/skills/google-ads/knowledge.md in full. This is a researched, source-backed reference covering:
- •The 5-factor keyword valuation model (intent, QS, unit economics, volume, competition)
- •Quality Score CPC impact data (QS 10 = −50% CPC, QS 1 = +400%)
- •Long-tail keyword conversion data (2.5–5× higher CVR, half the CPC)
- •Match type state of play (2025–2026: exact + broad, skip phrase)
- •Location strategy (campaign-per-city, reverse targeting)
- •Bidding strategy by phase (manual CPC → target CPA → target ROAS)
- •Wedding/local service benchmarks (UK CPCs, CVRs, case studies)
- •Common mistakes ranked by damage
- •Keyword research methodology (free tools)
- •Key source URLs for re-fetching when data is stale
Absorb all of it. This is the foundation for all Google Ads advice.
Step 2: Check staleness
Look at the research date at the top of the knowledge base. If the current date is more than 6 months after that date, fetch these URLs from section 10 of the knowledge file to check for updates:
- •WordStream benchmarks URL (CPC, CVR, CPA data changes yearly)
- •Search Engine Land match type article (match types are actively evolving)
- •Google's own bidding and QS documentation (Google updates these)
Report any significant changes to the user.
Step 3: Apply knowledge
When advising on Google Ads:
- •Never recommend a keyword strategy without grounding it in the 4-question filter (section 8: intent, ad relevance, landing page match, profitability)
- •Always calculate break-even CPA/ROAS before recommending budget or bids
- •Default to exact match at launch, broad match + Smart Bidding after 30 conversions
- •Skip phrase match unless the user has a specific reason
- •Recommend separate campaigns per city, never one mega-campaign with bid modifiers
- •Flag common mistakes proactively (auto-apply recommendations, missing negatives, broken tracking)
- •When uncertain about current Google Ads features or benchmarks, fetch the relevant source URL from section 10 rather than guessing
Available action skills
If the user needs a structured workflow, these skills are available:
- •
/ads-plan— full campaign strategy from scratch - •
/ads-keywords— keyword research and evaluation - •
/ads-copy— ad copy, headlines, extensions - •
/ads-audit— campaign performance review