Can I Run My Google Ads Campaign in Every State?

Short Answer: No, you cannot run your Google Ads campaign in every state because certain states have licensing or regulations specific to your industry. You are only able to run your campaign in states that do not require a particular license for your business sector.

Full Explanation

Running a Google Ads campaign across all states in the U.S. might seem like an appealing way to reach a broad audience. However, due to licensing and regulated industry requirements, it is not always possible. Some states have strict licensing rules that your industry must meet before you can advertise legally within their boundaries.

Therefore, your ability to run campaigns depends on the regulations and licensing obligations in each state. If your industry requires a license in a specific state, running ads there without meeting those requirements is not permitted. On the other hand, states that do not have such licensing restrictions allow you to promote your services freely.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify if your industry requires licensing to advertise in a particular state.
Review the licensing and regulatory requirements for each state where you want to run your Google Ads campaign.
Exclude any states from your campaign where your business does not hold the necessary license.
Set your Google Ads campaign targeting to focus only on states that do not require a special license for your industry.

Real Examples

If your industry involves services or products regulated differently depending on the state, you might find some states prohibit advertising unless licensed. For instance, certain professional services or specialized sectors cannot run ads freely nationwide but only in states where licensing permits.

Thus, your campaign reach will naturally be limited to states that allow your industry to advertise without additional licensing.

Common Mistakes

Assuming your campaign can run nationwide without checking state licensing laws.
Launching ads in states requiring licenses your business does not possess, which can result in compliance issues.
Not segmenting campaign targeting by state to account for differing licensing regulations.

FAQs

Q: Can I advertise across multiple states if some require licensing and others do not?
A: Yes, you can run your ads in states that do not require a specific license while excluding those where licensing is mandatory.

Q: What happens if I run ads in a state where I lack required licensing?
A: This can lead to legal or regulatory problems and possibly have your ads suspended or your account penalized.

Key Takeaways

Your ability to run Google Ads campaigns in different states depends on each state’s licensing requirements for your industry.
Always check and comply with local regulations before targeting a state in your campaigns.
Limit your campaign to states where no specific license is needed to avoid compliance issues.