Ever felt like your Google Ads are showing up in places you didn't quite expect? That's probably because of Search Partners. While they can expand your reach, sometimes the traffic from these sites is not always worthwhile. Disabling Search Partners in Google Ads is an easy approach to narrow your ad targeting and ensure that you only appear on strictly Google Search itself. If you've observed that your advertising perform better on Google Search alone, it may be time to disable this setting. The good news? It's quite simple to do, and you can always turn it back on if necessary. This quick and easy guide will show you how to disable Search Partners in Google Ads!
How to Disable Search Partners in Google Ads:
Login to Google Ads
Select the Google Ads Campaign you would like to modify from the dropdown menu
Navigate to Campaign settings (top-right hand side)
Open the Networks dropdown menu
Un-tick the "Include Search Partners" option, under Search Network
Repeat the same process for all campaigns or bulk edit them via the Google Ads Editor!
📝 Note that Google Search Partners are not always low-perfoming, sometimes you may want to keep them enabled.
➡️ Here's how to decide whether you want to enable or disable the Google Search Partners:
Navigate to Campaigns
Click on the Segment button (above your report)
Select Network with search partners.
You will see a performance breakdown of your campaigns between Google Search and Search Partners and use these insights to decide whether to enable or disable the Search Partners.
What are Google Search Partners?
Google Search Partners are a network of websites and apps that partner with Google to show your ads beyond Google.com. When you opt into Search Partners in your Google Ads campaign settings, your ads can appear on:
1. Search Sites
Google owned properties:
Google Shopping
Google Maps
Google Images
Google Groups
Google Books
YouTube search results
Third-party search sites that partner with Google to show search ads, including:
Amazon.com (search results)
2. Search-Related Properties
Website directory pages
Blog search results
Product review sites
Comparison shopping sites
Business directories
Key Points About Google Search Partners
Optional Feature:
You can choose to include or exclude Search Partners
It's enabled by default in new campaigns
Can be toggled on/off at any time
Cost:
No additional cost to advertise on Search Partners
Same bidding structure as regular Google Search ads
Performance Tracking:
Can view Search Partners performance separately in reports
Metrics include clicks, impressions, conversions, etc.
Limitations:
Cannot choose specific partner sites
Cannot bid differently for Search Partners
Cannot target Search Partners exclusively
Best Practices:
Monitor performance separately from Google Search
Compare metrics between Google Search and Partners
Consider disabling if performance is significantly lower
Benefits:
Increased reach beyond Google.com
Access to additional qualified traffic
Potential for lower CPCs
Same targeting options as Google Search
📝 Note: The exact list of Search Partners can vary by country and may change over time as Google updates its partnerships. Google doesn't publicly disclose a complete list of all Search Partners.
Frequently Asked Questions on Disabling Search Partners in Google Ads
Will disabling Search Partners affect my ad reach?
In Short: Yes, but it might be beneficial in some cases.
Detailed Answer:
Your ads will reach fewer people
You'll get fewer impressions and clicks
However, you might get:
Better quality traffic
Higher click-through rates
Better conversion rates
Consider disabling if partner sites bring less valuable traffic
What are the drawbacks of disabling Search Partners?
In Short: You might miss out on valuable traffic and visibility.
Detailed Answer:
Less overall exposure for your brand
Potentially missing:
Additional conversions
Niche audiences
Market share to competitors
Can I disable Search Partners for specific campaigns?
In Short: Yes, you have campaign-level control.
Detailed Answer:
Settings can be adjusted per campaign
You can test different settings across campaigns
Easy to enable/disable as needed
Can I choose specific Search Partners for my ads?
In Short: No, it's an all-or-nothing option.
Detailed Answer:
Google manages the entire partner network
You can't select specific partner sites
You can't see the complete list of partners
You can only enable or disable all partners
How do I know if Search Partners are working for my campaigns?
In Short: Check your campaign performance reports.
Detailed Answer:
Look at metrics like:
Cost per conversion
Click-through rates
Conversion rates
Compare performance between Google Search and Partners
Monitor trends over at least 30 days
Make decisions based on data, not assumptions
Can I set different bids for Search Partners?
In Short: No, bids apply across all search networks.
Detailed Answer:
Same bid applies to both Google Search and Partners
Can't adjust bids specifically for partner sites
Your regular bid optimization strategies apply to all networks
Consider overall performance when setting bids
How often should I review Search Partners performance?
In Short: Monthly, at minimum.
Detailed Answer:
Review monthly for established campaigns
Check weekly for new campaigns
Look for:
Significant performance differences
Changes in conversion rates
Cost efficiency
Adjust strategy based on findings
Each campaign is unique, so what works for one might not work for another. Regular monitoring and adjusting based on your specific data is key to success.
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