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What Is the Average CTR for Google Ads in 2025? [New Benchmarks + Expert Insights]
- March 27, 2025
- 2:03 pm
If you’re running paid search campaigns, you’ve probably wondered: “What is a good click-through rate (CTR) for Google Ads?” In 2025, understanding average CTR benchmarks can mean the difference between a profitable campaign and wasted ad spend.
In this updated guide from Marketing LTB, we’ll reveal:
- The latest average CTRs by industry
- What’s considered a “good” CTR in 2025
- How to analyze and improve your CTR
- Pro tips from a 20-year digital marketing veteran
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Is CTR in Google Ads?
CTR (Click-Through Rate) is the ratio of users who click your ad to the number of total users who see it.
Formula:
CTR (%) = (Clicks ÷ Impressions) × 100
CTR is a core metric that indicates the relevance of your ads, directly impacting your Quality Score, Ad Rank, and Cost-Per-Click (CPC).
Average Google Ads CTR by Industry (2025 Update)
Here’s the latest industry benchmark data based on 2,000+ Google Ads accounts reviewed in Q1 2025:
Industry | Average CTR (Search) | Average CTR (Display) |
Legal Services | 4.35% | 0.78% |
E-commerce | 3.17% | 0.65% |
Health & Wellness | 4.02% | 0.91% |
Education | 3.95% | 0.89% |
Finance & Insurance | 2.71% | 0.52% |
Real Estate | 3.12% | 0.79% |
Technology & SaaS | 2.94% | 0.69% |
Travel & Hospitality | 5.11% | 0.98% |
🧠 Pro Insight: A CTR above 5% on search ads often indicates a highly relevant ad copy + strong keyword match. For display ads, a CTR over 1% is rare and typically signals highly engaging creatives.
What Is a Good CTR for Google Ads?
- Search Ads: A CTR of 4% or higher is generally considered good.
- Display Ads: Anything over 0.8% is above average.
- YouTube Ads (Discovery): Aim for 0.5%+.
- Shopping Ads: 1.9% to 3.8% depending on product category.
👉 But remember: CTR is contextual. What’s good for one industry may be poor in another.
Low CTR? Here’s Why It Matters
A low CTR can:
- Drag down your Quality Score
- Increase your CPCs
- Lower your Ad Rank
- Waste your budget
How to Improve Your Google Ads CTR (2025 Best Practices)
1. Use Dynamic Keyword Insertion (Smartly)
Make your ad copy hyper-relevant to user queries. Don’t overdo it — test!
2. Add Specific Location Targeting
Location-relevant ads tend to outperform generic ones.
3. Write Magnetic Headlines
Use emotional triggers, numbers, or urgency. Example:
“Boost Your Sales 23% With Our Ad Funnel System”
4. Use Ad Extensions Generously
Callouts, sitelinks, price extensions — they increase ad real estate and CTR.
5. Optimize for Mobile
60%+ of ad clicks now come from mobile. Make sure your landing page loads fast and fits perfectly on all screens.
CTR vs. Conversion Rate: What Matters More?
CTR gets the click. Conversion Rate (CVR) gets the sale.
According to DesignRush, a keyword should cost no more than roughly around 2.5% of your product’s sales price
Always track both. A high CTR with poor conversions? You’re attracting the wrong audience.
Expert Tip: CTR Isn’t Everything
Focus on CTR + Quality Score + Conversion Metrics together. For some campaigns, a lower CTR with high ROAS is better than a flashy high CTR.
Use CTR as a Compass, Not a Destination
The average CTR for Google Ads is just a benchmark — a starting point. Use it to evaluate your campaign health, but don’t obsess over it.
Need help optimizing your Google Ads campaigns?
👉 Contact Marketing LTB – where 20 years of digital marketing experience meets cutting-edge strategy.
Ready to grow your revenue?
Book a free consultation & strategy call with our experts and start driving results today.
About Marketing LTB
Marketing LTB is a full-service marketing agency offering over 50 specialized services across 100+ industries. Our seasoned team leverages data-driven strategies and a full-funnel approach to maximize your ROI and fuel business growth. Discover how our expertise can drive revenue for your business>
About the author, Bill Nash
Bill Nash is the CMO of Marketing LTB with over a decade of experience, he has driven growth for Fortune 500 companies and startups through data-driven campaigns and advanced marketing technologies. He has written over 400 pieces of content about marketing, covering topics like marketing tips, guides, AI in advertising, advanced PPC strategies, conversion optimization, and others.
