What is Ad Rank?
TL;DR
The calculation determining where your ad appears in Google Ads results. Ad Rank = Bid × Quality Score × Expected Impact of Extensions. You can outrank higher bidders with superior Quality Score. Ad Rank determines whether your ad shows at all and its position when it does.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ad Rank
How is Ad Rank calculated?
Ad Rank = Your Bid × Quality Score × Expected Impact of Extensions + Context Factors (search query, user location, device, time). It's not just about bidding more, quality matters significantly.
Can I see my Ad Rank?
You can't see the actual Ad Rank number, but you can see average position metrics and impression share data. Top/bottom placement data tells you where your ads appeared. Ad Rank thresholds aren't disclosed.
Why am I not in position #1 with the highest bid?
Higher Quality Score can beat higher bids. A $5 bid with Quality Score 10 outranks a $7 bid with Quality Score 6. Plus, context factors (user intent, relevance) affect ranking. Bidding alone doesn't guarantee top position.
What's the minimum Ad Rank threshold?
Google sets minimum thresholds to show ads. If your Ad Rank falls below the threshold, your ad won't show. Thresholds vary by keyword competitiveness. Improve Quality Score to meet thresholds without raising bids.
How do ad extensions affect Ad Rank?
Extensions can improve Ad Rank by increasing expected click-through rate. Use all relevant extensions: sitelinks, callouts, structured snippets, call extensions, location extensions. More extensions = potential for better Ad Rank.
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