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Writer's pictureSotirios Seridis

Responsive Search Ads (RSA) Best Practices in Google Ads

To get the most out of Google Ads' Responsive Search Ads, there are some best practices that you ought to adhere to to improve your ad performance and maximize the impact of your advertising campaigns. This guide will show you what you need to do to create amazing Responsive Search Ads and get your ad strength to 'Excellent'. Without further ado, let's dive into the Responsive Search Ads (RSA) best practices in Google Ads!






Responsive Search Ads (RSA) Best Practices


1. Use all available headlines and description lines


Headlines

  • Use all 15 available headline slots

  • Distribute headlines evenly across three categories:

    • 5× Keyword-relevant headlines

    • 5× Unique Selling Points (USP) headlines

    • 5× Call-to-Action (CTA) headlines

Descriptions

  • Utilize all 4 available description lines

  • Make each description unique and compelling

2. Optimize for Keywords which are likely to trigger your ads

  • Include popular keywords in headlines and descriptions

  • Use keywords and phrases related to your products or services






3. Format Smartly

Use Camel Casing

  • Use "Title Case" for all headlines and descriptions

  • Example: "Best Holiday Camp For Kids"

  • Benefits:

    • Improves click-through rates

    • Makes ads more visually prominent

Make Content Unique

  • Avoid repetitive phrases or similar variations

  • Create distinct content for each headline and description

  • Consider using AI tools like ChatGPT for creative variations

4. Utilize Display Paths

Purpose

  • Creates contextual URLs for users

  • Improves ad relevance

  • Enhances Quality Score

Examples





5. Aim for your Ad strength to be excellent

How to score an excellent Ad strength

  • Use all available headlines

  • Include popular keywords in your headlines

  • Make your headlines more unique (do not repeat the same phrases)

  • Make your descriptions more unique (do not repeat the same phrases)

Responsive Search Ads Tips

  1. Keep messaging clear and concise

  2. Ensure each component adds unique value

  3. Maintain consistent brand voice

  4. Test different combinations regularly

RSA Optimisation Checklist

✓ Make use of all available headlines (15/15) ✓ Make use of all available description lines (4/4) ✓ Make use of keywords who are likely to trigger your ads ✓ Use Display Paths ✓ Use Camel Casing (Capitalisation) ✓ Create a variety of unique headlines and descriptions ✓ Google best practices implemented





Frequently Asked Questions on Responsive Search Ads (RSA) in Google Ads

How many RSAs can I have in a single ad group?

  • Maximum of 3 enabled RSAs per ad group

  • Each RSA should be strategically designed to complement others

  • Best practice: Use all available slots for comprehensive testing



How does Google determine which RSA combinations to show?

Google uses machine learning to optimize ad delivery by:

  • Analyzing historical performance data

  • Monitoring user interactions and engagement

  • Testing various headline and description combinations

  • Identifying top-performing configurations

  • Adapting to different search queries and user contexts




How is Ad Strength calculated?

Ad Strength is Google's evaluation system that rates your RSA from "Incomplete" to "Excellent" based on:

  • Diversity of headlines and descriptions

  • Relevance to target keywords

  • Adherence to best practices

  • Quality of ad content

Rating scale:

  1. Excellent

  2. Good

  3. Average

  4. Poor

  5. Incomplete



Can I see which RSA combinations are performing the best?

Yes, through Google Ads reporting you can view:

  • Click rates for different combinations

  • Impression data

  • Conversion metrics

  • Performance trends over time

  • Individual asset performance



How often should I update my RSA headlines and descriptions?

Regular updates are recommended based on:

  • Business changes (new products, services)

  • Seasonal trends

  • Performance data insights

  • Market conditions

  • Competitor activity

Best practices for updates:

  • Review performance monthly

  • Adjust and replace poor-performing headlines and description lines

  • Test new messaging quarterly

  • Update headlines and decscriptions for seasonal promotions










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