20 AI Prompts for Troubleshooting Google Ads

**Introduction **

You’ve poured money into Google Ads, but your clicks aren’t converting. Your Quality Score is stuck at 4/10, and your CPC keeps climbing—no matter how much you tweak your bids. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Studies show that 60% of advertisers struggle with Quality Score optimization, and many waste up to 30% of their budget on irrelevant clicks. The problem? Google Ads is complex, and small mistakes can cost big.

Why Troubleshooting Google Ads Feels Like a Guessing Game

Most advertisers rely on trial and error—adjusting bids, pausing underperforming keywords, or rewriting ad copy. But without clear data, it’s like throwing darts blindfolded. A low Quality Score? Could be poor landing page relevance. High CPC? Maybe your negative keywords are missing. The worst part? You might not even know where to start.

AI Prompts: Your Shortcut to Smarter Troubleshooting

What if you could diagnose issues in seconds—without digging through spreadsheets? AI prompts act like a Google Ads consultant, analyzing your campaign data and suggesting fixes. Need to identify low-performing keywords? There’s a prompt for that. Struggling with ad relevance? AI can help rewrite your copy. These prompts don’t just save time—they uncover hidden opportunities.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

Here’s a sneak peek at the 20 AI prompts we’ll cover:

• Diagnosing Quality Score issues (e.g., “Why is my Quality Score low, and how can I fix it?”)
• Finding negative keywords (e.g., “Generate a list of negative keywords for [industry]”)
• Optimizing ad copy (e.g., “Rewrite this ad for better CTR”)
• Improving landing page relevance (e.g., “Suggest changes to align my landing page with this keyword”)

No more guessing. No more wasted budget. Just actionable insights to turn your Google Ads around. Ready to stop the frustration and start optimizing? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Google Ads Quality Score: The Foundation of Troubleshooting

Ever wondered why some ads show up at the top of Google while others barely get seen—even when the bids are higher? The secret isn’t just about how much you spend. It’s about Quality Score, Google’s way of deciding which ads deserve the best spots. Think of it like a report card for your ads. A high score means Google likes your ad, your landing page, and how well they match what people are searching for. A low score? That’s when you start seeing higher costs and fewer clicks.

But here’s the thing: many advertisers don’t fully understand how Quality Score works. Some think throwing more money at bids will fix everything. Others ignore it completely, hoping their ads will magically perform better. The truth? Quality Score is one of the most powerful levers you can pull to improve your Google Ads performance. And if you’re not paying attention to it, you’re probably wasting money.

What Is Quality Score, and Why Does It Matter?

Google’s Quality Score is a rating from 1 to 10 that measures how relevant and useful your ad is to someone searching. It’s not just about clicks—it’s about whether your ad actually helps the person who sees it. Google looks at three main things:

• Expected click-through rate (CTR): How likely is someone to click your ad based on past performance?
• Ad relevance: Does your ad match what the person is searching for?
• Landing page experience: Is your landing page fast, easy to use, and relevant to the ad?

Why does this matter? Because Quality Score directly affects your ad rank, which determines where your ad shows up. A higher score means you can pay less per click and still get better placement. For example, an ad with a Quality Score of 8 might pay half as much as an ad with a score of 4 for the same position. That’s not just a small difference—it’s the difference between a profitable campaign and one that drains your budget.

The Biggest Myths About Quality Score

There are a lot of misconceptions about how Quality Score works. Let’s clear up a few:

• “Higher bids always improve Quality Score.” Nope. Bidding more might get you a better position temporarily, but if your ad isn’t relevant, your score won’t improve—and you’ll keep paying more for worse results.
• “Quality Score is only about keywords.” Keywords matter, but they’re just one piece. Your ad copy and landing page are just as important.
• “Once my score is high, I don’t need to worry about it.” Quality Score isn’t set in stone. If your landing page slows down or your ad copy stops matching search intent, your score can drop.

The real key? Relevance. Google wants to show ads that people actually find useful. If your ad is relevant to the search, loads quickly, and gives people what they’re looking for, your score will reflect that.

How to Spot a Low Quality Score (Before It Hurts Your Budget)

A low Quality Score doesn’t always scream for attention, but there are warning signs:

• Your ads are stuck at the bottom of the page (or not showing at all).
• Your cost-per-click (CPC) is higher than your competitors’ for the same keywords.
• You’re getting fewer impressions than you used to, even with the same budget.
• Google flags your ads or landing pages with warnings in your dashboard.

If you see any of these, it’s time to dig deeper. Start by checking your Quality Score in Google Ads (it’s under the “Keywords” tab). If you see a lot of 3s, 4s, or 5s, that’s a red flag. But don’t panic—there are ways to fix it.

The Three Pillars of a High Quality Score

Improving your Quality Score isn’t about guessing. It’s about focusing on the three things Google cares about most:

1. Expected CTR: This is Google’s prediction of how often people will click your ad. To improve it:

   • Use specific, benefit-driven ad copy (e.g., “Get 20% Off Today” instead of “Shop Now”).
   • Include keywords in your headlines to match what people are searching for.
   • Test different ad variations to see what performs best.

2. Ad Relevance: Your ad should feel like a natural extension of the search. If someone looks for “running shoes for flat feet,” your ad shouldn’t just say “Buy Shoes Here.” It should mention flat feet, arch support, or whatever makes it clear you have what they need.

3. Landing Page Experience: This is where many advertisers drop the ball. Your landing page should:

   • Load fast (Google recommends under 3 seconds).
   • Be mobile-friendly (over half of searches happen on phones).
   • Match the promise of your ad (if your ad says “20% Off,” the landing page should too).

What Happens When You Ignore Quality Score?

Let’s say you’re running an ad for “best budget laptops.” Your ad copy is generic (“Shop Laptops Here”), your landing page is slow, and the products don’t match what people expect. Google notices. Your Quality Score drops. Now, you’re paying more per click, your ads show up less often, and your competitors with better scores are getting all the traffic.

The worst part? It’s a cycle. Low Quality Score → fewer clicks → lower CTR → even lower Quality Score. Breaking out of it takes work, but it’s worth it. A small improvement in Quality Score can lead to big savings and more conversions.

Where to Go From Here

Quality Score isn’t just a number—it’s a signal. It tells you whether your ads are working or if they need a tune-up. The good news? You don’t need to be a Google Ads expert to improve it. Start by checking your scores, then focus on making your ads and landing pages as relevant as possible. Test, tweak, and watch your performance (and your budget) improve.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our guide on how to improve landing page experience or learn how to write ad copy that boosts CTR. Small changes can make a big difference—and your Quality Score will thank you.

The Role of AI in Google Ads Troubleshooting

Google Ads can feel like a puzzle. You set up campaigns, pick keywords, write ads—but sometimes, things just don’t work. Clicks are low. Costs are high. Your ads disappear into the void. For years, marketers fixed these problems by digging through spreadsheets, guessing what went wrong, and hoping for the best. But now, AI is changing the game.

Why? Because AI doesn’t just look at data—it understands it. While humans can analyze a few hundred rows of campaign performance, AI can scan thousands in seconds. It spots patterns we’d never see, like how a keyword’s performance drops every summer or how a small tweak in ad copy could double your click-through rate. And the best part? It doesn’t get tired, bored, or distracted.

Why AI Beats Manual Audits (Most of the Time)

Let’s be honest: manual audits are slow. You export a report, stare at numbers, and try to connect the dots. Maybe you catch a few obvious issues—like a keyword with a 1% CTR—but what about the hidden problems? The ones that only show up when you compare data across months, devices, or audiences?

AI does this automatically. Here’s how it helps:

• Speed: While you’re still opening your spreadsheet, AI has already analyzed your entire account, flagged underperforming ads, and suggested fixes.
• Pattern recognition: Humans miss trends. AI doesn’t. It notices things like:
  • A keyword that performs well on mobile but tanks on desktop.
  • A landing page that converts great in the U.S. but fails in Europe.
  • Seasonal shifts (e.g., “winter coats” spiking in November but dying in March).
• Predictive insights: AI doesn’t just tell you what happened—it predicts what will happen. For example, it might warn you that a keyword’s cost-per-click is about to rise because of increased competition.

Of course, AI isn’t perfect. It can’t replace human creativity or strategic thinking. But it can handle the heavy lifting, freeing you up to focus on the big picture.

The AI Tools You Can Use Today

You don’t need to build your own AI to get these benefits. There are tools—some free, some paid—that do the work for you.

1. Google’s Built-In AI

Google Ads already uses AI in many ways:

• Smart Bidding: Adjusts bids in real-time to get the most conversions for your budget.
• Responsive Search Ads: Tests different ad variations and picks the best-performing ones.
• Performance Max: Uses AI to optimize ads across Google’s entire network (Search, Display, YouTube, etc.).

These tools are great for beginners, but they’re not always transparent. You don’t always know why the AI made a certain decision—which can be frustrating if you’re trying to learn.

2. Third-Party AI Platforms

If you want more control, tools like Optmyzr, WordStream, and SEMrush offer AI-powered audits and recommendations. For example:

• Optmyzr can automatically add negative keywords to block irrelevant searches.
• WordStream flags low-quality score keywords and suggests improvements.
• SEMrush predicts which keywords are worth bidding on (and which aren’t).

These tools cost money, but they often pay for themselves by saving time and improving performance.

3. Custom AI Prompts (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.)

Here’s where things get interesting. You can use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Bard to troubleshoot specific problems. For example:

• “My Google Ads Quality Score is 4/10. What are the most likely reasons?”
• “Suggest 10 negative keywords for a campaign selling running shoes.”
• “Write three ad variations for a SaaS tool targeting small businesses.”

The key is to give the AI specific data. Instead of asking, “Why are my ads not working?” try: “Here’s my campaign data: CTR is 1.2%, CPC is $3.50, and conversion rate is 0.8%. What should I test first?”

AI won’t replace a PPC expert, but it can act like a second pair of eyes—one that never sleeps.

The Limits of AI in PPC

AI is powerful, but it’s not magic. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• It relies on data. If your account is new or has little data, AI won’t have much to work with.
• It can be biased. AI learns from past data, so if your industry is niche or changing fast, it might miss trends.
• It lacks creativity. AI can suggest negative keywords or bid adjustments, but it can’t come up with a brilliant new ad concept or a game-changing landing page idea.

Think of AI as a co-pilot, not the pilot. It handles the numbers; you handle the strategy.

Case Study: How AI Cut CPC by 30%

Let’s look at a real example. An e-commerce brand selling fitness gear was struggling with high costs. Their CPC was $4.20, and their Quality Score was stuck at 5/10. They used an AI tool to analyze their search terms and found something surprising: 30% of their clicks were coming from irrelevant searches like “free workout plans” or “gym memberships.”

The AI suggested adding negative keywords to block these searches. Within a week:

• CPC dropped to $2.90 (a 30% decrease).
• Quality Score improved to 7/10.
• Conversion rate went up by 15%.

The best part? The brand didn’t have to guess which keywords to block—the AI did the work for them.

AI vs. Manual Audits: Which Wins?

Factor	AI Audits	Manual Audits
Speed	Seconds to analyze thousands of data points	Hours or days for a deep dive
Pattern Detection	Spots trends humans miss (seasonal shifts, device differences)	Limited to what the analyst notices
Predictive Power	Forecasts future performance based on data	Relies on past experience and intuition
Creativity	Good for data-driven tasks (bid adjustments, negative keywords)	Better for big-picture strategy and ad copy
Cost	Free (Google’s tools) to expensive (third-party platforms)	Time-consuming (labor costs)

Final Thought: AI Isn’t the Future—It’s the Present

If you’re still troubleshooting Google Ads the old-fashioned way, you’re leaving money on the table. AI won’t replace you, but it will make you faster, smarter, and more effective.

Start small. Try one AI tool—whether it’s Google’s Smart Bidding or a custom prompt in ChatGPT. See what it uncovers. Then, use those insights to make real changes in your campaigns.

The question isn’t if you should use AI in Google Ads. It’s how soon you’ll start.

20 AI Prompts to Diagnose and Fix Google Ads Issues

Google Ads can feel like a puzzle. You set up campaigns, spend money, but sometimes the results just don’t match your expectations. Maybe your ads aren’t showing, your costs are too high, or your clicks aren’t turning into customers. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. AI can help you find the problems—and fix them—faster than ever.

Think of these prompts like a shortcut. Instead of spending hours digging through reports, you can ask AI to analyze your data, spot weaknesses, and suggest improvements. Whether you’re struggling with low Quality Scores, wasted ad spend, or weak ad copy, there’s a prompt for that. The key is knowing what to ask—and how to use the answers.

Below, we’ve broken down 20 AI prompts into four categories. Each one is designed to tackle a specific problem in your Google Ads account. Some will help you diagnose issues, while others will give you ready-to-use solutions. Let’s dive in.

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1. Quality Score Analysis: Why Your Ads Aren’t Performing

Quality Score is like a report card for your ads. A low score means Google thinks your ads aren’t relevant to users, which leads to higher costs and fewer impressions. But how do you fix it? These prompts will help you identify the root causes and take action.

• “Analyze my Google Ads account with a Quality Score of [X]. List the top 5 reasons for the low score and suggest fixes.” Example: If your score is 4/10, AI might tell you that your ad copy doesn’t match your keywords, your landing page loads too slowly, or your expected CTR is below average. It’ll then suggest specific changes, like rewriting ad headlines or improving page speed.

• “Compare my ad copy for [keyword] against competitors. Highlight gaps in relevance and CTR potential.” How it works: AI will look at your ad text and compare it to top-performing ads for the same keyword. It might point out that your competitors use stronger calls-to-action (like “Get 50% Off Today”) while yours is generic (“Shop Now”). Small tweaks can make a big difference.

• “Generate a checklist to audit landing page experience for [URL]. Include mobile, speed, and content alignment.” What you’ll get: A step-by-step list to check if your landing page is hurting your Quality Score. For example:

  • Does the page load in under 3 seconds?
  • Is the content relevant to the ad and keyword?
  • Is the call-to-action clear and easy to find?

• “Identify keywords in my campaign with below-average CTR. Suggest ad copy variations to improve performance.” Why it matters: A low CTR (click-through rate) signals that your ads aren’t compelling enough. AI can rewrite your ad copy to make it more engaging. For example, if your current ad says “Buy Shoes Online,” AI might suggest “Limited-Time Sale: 30% Off All Shoes – Shop Now!”

• “Review my search term report for [campaign]. Flag irrelevant queries that may be hurting Quality Score.” Example: If you’re selling running shoes but your ads are showing for “cheap sandals,” those irrelevant clicks are dragging down your score. AI will highlight these terms so you can add them as negative keywords.

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2. Negative Keyword Optimization: Stop Wasting Money on Bad Clicks

Negative keywords are like a filter for your ads. They tell Google not to show your ads for certain searches, saving you money on irrelevant traffic. But how do you know which terms to exclude? These prompts will help you find and block the right ones.

• “Extract negative keywords from my search term report for [campaign]. Prioritize terms with high spend and low conversions.” How it works: AI will scan your search term report and flag terms that cost you money but don’t lead to sales. For example, if people are clicking your ad for “free [product]” but you don’t offer freebies, AI will suggest adding “free” as a negative keyword.

• “Analyze my broad match keywords and suggest negative keywords to reduce wasted spend.” Why it’s useful: Broad match keywords can trigger your ads for unrelated searches. AI will look for patterns in your search terms and suggest exclusions. For example, if you’re advertising “yoga mats” but your ads show for “yoga teacher training,” AI will recommend adding “teacher” and “training” as negatives.

• “Create a negative keyword list for [industry] to exclude irrelevant traffic (e.g., job seekers, competitors).” Example: If you’re a SaaS company, you might want to exclude terms like “jobs,” “careers,” or “[competitor name] reviews.” AI can generate a ready-to-use list tailored to your industry.

• “Compare my negative keyword list against industry benchmarks. Identify gaps or over-exclusions.” What you’ll learn: AI will check if you’re missing common negative keywords (like “free” or “cheap”) or if you’ve accidentally excluded terms that should trigger your ads. For example, if you sell “luxury watches” but have “affordable” as a negative, you might be blocking potential customers.

• “Generate a script to automate negative keyword additions based on [specific criteria, e.g., low CTR].” For advanced users: If you’re comfortable with scripts, AI can create one that automatically adds negative keywords based on rules you set. For example, it could exclude any search term with a CTR below 1% or a conversion rate of 0%.

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3. Ad Copy and Creative Testing: Make Your Ads Stand Out

Great ad copy grabs attention, builds trust, and convinces users to click. But writing it isn’t easy—especially when you’re competing with dozens of other ads. These prompts will help you craft better ads and test new ideas.

• “Write 3 ad variations for [keyword] targeting [audience]. Include emotional triggers and USPs.” Example: If you’re selling skincare products to women over 40, AI might generate:

  1. “Tired of Wrinkles? Our Serum Reduces Fine Lines in 7 Days – Try It Risk-Free!”
  2. “Dermatologist-Approved Skincare for Mature Skin – 20% Off Your First Order!”
  3. “Your Skin Deserves Better. Discover the Secret to Youthful Glow Today!”

• “Analyze my top-performing ad and suggest A/B test ideas to improve CTR by 10%.” How it works: AI will look at your best ad and suggest tweaks to make it even better. For example, it might recommend:

  • Testing a different headline (e.g., “50% Off” vs. “Limited-Time Sale”).
  • Adding urgency (e.g., “Only 3 Left in Stock!”).
  • Using a different call-to-action (e.g., “Shop Now” vs. “Get Yours Today”).

• “Generate dynamic ad copy for a responsive search ad using [product features] and [pain points].” What you’ll get: Responsive search ads automatically mix and match headlines and descriptions. AI can create multiple versions for you. For example, if you’re selling a project management tool, it might generate:

  • Headline 1: “Tired of Missed Deadlines?”
  • Headline 2: “Streamline Your Workflow Today”
  • Description: “Our tool helps teams collaborate faster and hit goals on time. Try it free for 14 days!”

• “Review my ad extensions. Suggest missing extensions to improve ad rank and CTR.” Why it matters: Ad extensions (like sitelinks, callouts, or structured snippets) make your ads bigger and more informative. AI will check if you’re missing any. For example, if you’re a restaurant, it might suggest adding:

  • A location extension (so users can see your address).
  • A call extension (so they can phone you directly).
  • A promotion extension (to highlight discounts).

• “Create a seasonal ad copy strategy for [holiday/event] to capitalize on search trends.” Example: For Black Friday, AI might suggest:

  • Headline: “Black Friday Deals: 50% Off Everything – Today Only!”
  • Description: “Shop now and save big on [product]. Limited stock—don’t miss out!”
  • Ad extensions: Countdown timer (“Sale ends in 2 hours!”) and promotion extensions (“Free shipping on orders over $50”).

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4. Bid and Budget Optimization: Get More for Your Money

Even the best ads won’t perform if your bids and budget aren’t optimized. These prompts will help you allocate your budget wisely and adjust bids for maximum ROI.

• “Recommend bid adjustments for [campaign] based on device, location, and time-of-day performance.” How it works: AI will analyze your data and suggest changes. For example:

  • Increase bids for mobile users if they convert better.
  • Lower bids for locations with low conversion rates.
  • Pause ads during hours when your audience isn’t active.

• “Identify underperforming keywords in my portfolio. Suggest bid reductions or pausing strategies.” What you’ll learn: AI will flag keywords that cost too much but don’t convert. For example, if “cheap [product]” has a high CPC but no sales, AI might recommend:

  • Reducing the bid by 30%.
  • Pausing the keyword entirely.
  • Adding it as a negative keyword.

• “Analyze my budget allocation across campaigns. Propose reallocation to high-ROI segments.” Example: If one campaign is driving 80% of your conversions but only gets 50% of your budget, AI will suggest shifting funds to it. It might also recommend pausing low-performing campaigns to free up cash.

• “Generate a Smart Bidding strategy for [goal: conversions, ROAS, etc.] with recommended settings.” For automated bidding: AI can suggest the best Smart Bidding strategy for your goals. For example:

  • If your goal is conversions, it might recommend “Maximize Conversions” with a target CPA.
  • If your goal is ROAS, it might suggest “Target ROAS” with a 400% target.

• “Predict the impact of increasing my budget by 20% on [campaign]. Include potential CPC and conversion changes.” What you’ll get: AI will estimate how a budget increase could affect your performance. For example:

  • “A 20% budget increase could lead to a 15% increase in conversions, but your CPC might rise by 5%.”
  • “If your current ROAS is 300%, it could drop to 280% with the extra spend.”

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How to Use These Prompts Effectively

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not magic. To get the best results, follow these tips:

1. Be specific. The more details you provide, the better the AI’s suggestions will be. Instead of asking, “Why are my ads not working?” try, “My campaign has a 1.5% CTR and a 0.3% conversion rate. What should I test first?”
2. Test one change at a time. If AI suggests three fixes, don’t implement them all at once. Test one, measure the results, then move to the next.
3. Refine the output. AI gives you a starting point, but you should tweak the suggestions to fit your brand voice and audience.
4. Monitor performance. After making changes, check your data regularly to see what’s working and what’s not.

These prompts are your secret weapon for troubleshooting Google Ads. Use them to diagnose problems, optimize your campaigns, and get better results—without the guesswork. Ready to give them a try? Pick one prompt, plug in your data, and see what AI uncovers. You might be surprised by how much it can improve your ads.

Wrapping Up: Make AI Work for Your Google Ads

Now you know how to use AI prompts to fix your Google Ads problems. But knowing is only half the battle. The real magic happens when you put these steps into action.

Start small. Pick one campaign that’s not doing well. Export the data, clean it up, and feed it to AI with a clear question. Maybe ask: “Why is my Quality Score low for this campaign? Give me 3 specific fixes.” Then test the AI’s suggestions. Did your score improve? If yes, great! If not, tweak your prompt and try again.

Remember, AI is like a smart assistant—not a magic wand. It gives you ideas, but you still need to check them. Compare AI’s advice with what you know about Google Ads. Does it make sense? If something feels off, dig deeper or ask a different way.

The best results come from teamwork between you and AI. You bring the strategy and experience. AI brings speed and fresh ideas. Together, you can find problems faster and fix them better than working alone.

So what’s next? Pick one prompt from this list and try it today. Even 15 minutes of testing can show you how powerful this can be. The more you use AI, the better you’ll get at asking the right questions. And soon, you’ll wonder how you ever managed Google Ads without it.