What should be the target position in the auction inside a Google Ads campaign?

Short Answer: In a Google Ads campaign auction, your goal should be to achieve the number one position. This top spot captures around 80% of the available traffic, making it significantly more valuable than lower positions where traffic is much more limited.

Full Explanation

The number one position in a Google Ads auction is highly desirable because it drives the vast majority of user clicks and engagement. About 80% of the total traffic goes to the number one spot, while all remaining positions share the leftover 20%. This means if your ads appear further down the list, your chances of receiving meaningful traffic drastically decrease.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Understand the Auction Structure: Google Ads organizes ads in a ranking order based on bid and quality.
Identify the Number One Spot: This top rank is where most clicks are concentrated.
Target this Position: Aim your campaign settings and bids to secure this top placement.
Monitor Traffic Distribution: Recognize that about 80% of traffic comes from this position, emphasizing its importance.

Real Examples

If your ad appears in the first position, it is expected to receive the majority of clicks and user engagement relative to others. Conversely, ads in lower positions must compete for only a small fraction of traffic, limiting their effectiveness.

Common Mistakes

Targeting positions lower than number one without realizing the significant drop in traffic share.
Underestimating the value of the top position and spreading budget too thin across multiple lower bids.

FAQs

Q: Is it necessary to always be in the number one spot?
While it is ideal because of the traffic advantage, it depends on your campaign goals and budget.

Q: Why does the number one position get so much traffic?
Because user attention is primarily focused on the top-ranked ads, making that spot more prominent.

Key Takeaways

The number one position in a Google Ads auction captures about 80% of traffic.
Lower positions share the remaining 20%, resulting in significantly less traffic.
To maximize ad visibility and clicks, aim to secure the top spot within your campaign auctions.