Does Google Ads help SEO?

If you’re running a small business, you might be wondering - can Google Ads boost your SEO? The short answer is no, not directly. But there’s more to it than that.

While ads don’t affect your site’s rankings, they can still help in ways that support your long-term SEO efforts. Think more visibility, faster feedback, and better data to guide your strategy.

Let’s break it down.

Quick takeaways

Google Ads doesn’t raise your SEO rankings but it can bring in targeted traffic that supports long-term growth

You get instant data on keywords, clicks, and user behaviour - all of which can guide your SEO strategy.

Running ads and SEO together works well - ads bring quick wins, while SEO builds lasting results.

Want to know how these two can work side by side? Keep reading.

What is Google Ads and how does it relate to SEO?

Google Ads is Google’s pay-per-click advertising tool. It lets businesses show ads at the top of search results. You choose keywords, set a budget, and bring traffic straight to your site.

But does it help with SEO? Not directly. Paying for ads doesn’t push your site higher in organic search. Still, there are a few ways it can support your SEO work.

Google Ads doesn’t boost rankings by itself

Running ads doesn’t change your place in the organic results. You can’t pay to rank higher. But what it does do is bring more of the right people to your site.

That traffic can help in other ways. When more people visit, share, or come back to your site, it can lead to better engagement. That’s something search engines notice over time.

It brings in targeted traffic that supports SEO

With Google Ads, you pick the keywords. That means your site shows up when people are already searching for what you offer.

This gets your content in front of the right audience. Some of those people might visit your site again through organic search later on. Others might share your content or tell someone else about it.

It’s not a direct ranking boost - but it builds awareness, trust, and traffic. And those all feed back into your long-term SEO.

How Google Ads can support your SEO strategy

Google Ads doesn’t boost SEO rankings on its own, but it can still be a big help. It gives quick wins while you build up your organic reach. It also gives you useful data to guide your content and keyword planning.

Kick-start your SEO with paid traffic

SEO takes time. If you want results fast, Google Ads can help bring people to your site while you build your organic rankings.

By choosing the right keywords, your ads appear at the top of search results. That means more people see your site straight away. This early traffic helps build visibility and gets your content in front of the right audience.

You’ll also see which keywords actually perform - giving you a head start when planning future SEO content.

Use remarketing to bring people back

Not everyone buys on their first visit. With remarketing, you can target people who’ve already visited your site. These ads follow them across the web and remind them about your offer.

Maybe someone looked at a product or read your blog but didn’t take action. A remarketing ad gives them a nudge to come back - maybe with a discount or a reminder of what they viewed.

This keeps your brand top of mind and helps turn interest into action.

Get keyword and audience insights

Google Ads gives you real data on what people search for, what they click, and what turns into a sale. This tells you which keywords are worth targeting.

You also get to see what kind of content connects best with your audience. That’s great insight for SEO. Use that info to fine-tune your pages, write better blog posts, and focus on topics that drive results.

Improve your content strategy

When you know what keywords get clicks, you can build better content. Ads give you early feedback on what your audience responds to.

Use that to shape your blog posts, landing pages, and service descriptions. If an ad headline pulls in traffic, try using a similar phrase in your SEO titles. Over time, this leads to more clicks and better engagement.

Reach more local customers

If your business is based in Ireland, local targeting through Google Ads can help bring in nearby customers. You can show ads to people searching for services in your area - at the exact time they’re looking.

That means more relevant traffic, more leads, and a stronger local presence.

It’s a smart way to get noticed in your community while your SEO builds up in the background.

SEO vs Google Ads: Which is the best option?

Both SEO and Google Ads have their strengths. One brings fast results. The other builds long-term success. The best choice depends on your goals, timeline, and budget.

Pros and cons of each approach

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide what fits best for your business:

Google Ads

Pros

• Instant traffic

• Target the right audience

• Easy to track performance

• Great for short-term goals

Cons

• Costs add up quickly

• No results once you stop paying

• High competition for popular keywords

SEO

Pros

• Low cost over time

• Builds trust and authority

• Brings in steady, long-term traffic

• Keeps working without ongoing spend

Cons

• Takes time to get results

• Needs regular updates and content

• Can be affected by search engine updates

Google Ads is great if you want results now. SEO is better if you’re building for the long haul. Most small businesses will benefit from using both.

How to use SEO and Google Ads together

You don’t have to choose one or the other. In fact, using both can work even better.

Run Google Ads to bring in fast traffic. While that’s happening, work on your SEO to grow your organic reach. The traffic from ads can also give you useful data - like which keywords perform best or what content gets clicks.

That insight helps you improve your site and content for the long term.

SEO keeps working in the background. Google Ads gives you a push when you need it. Together, they help you cover both short-term wins and long-term growth.

Final thoughts

Google Ads won’t change your SEO rankings overnight. But it gives you the traffic, data, and momentum to make your SEO stronger over time.

Used together, these tools help more people find your business - faster and for longer. If you’re ready to build a strategy that covers both, now’s the time to get started.