What is Quality Score?

Quality Score is a diagnostic tool for search ads. Explore its three components and why the score is not a direct auction input.

Definition

Quality Score is Google’s diagnostic 1–10 rating at keyword level. It reflects expected click-through rate, ad relevance and landing page experience. The score is not a direct auction input.

Also called: Quality Score, QS
Explore the process

Placement is decided in the auction.

01

Eligibility

The ad needs to meet requirements and be relevant to the opportunity.

02

Ad Rank

Bid, quality, thresholds, competition, context and expected asset impact are assessed.

03

Impression

The result determines whether and where an ad can be shown.

The connection01 / 03

01The ad needs to meet requirements and be relevant to the opportunity.

Quality Score is a diagnostic metric. The score itself is not directly used in auction-time Ad Rank.

Use the score to identify improvements

Examine the three components to find problems in the relationship between keyword, ad and landing page.

The auction uses quality assessed in context alongside other factors. Improving the displayed 1–10 number alone does not guarantee lower CPC or a better position.

Further documentation

Google — Quality Score

Frequently asked questions

Is Quality Score directly included in Ad Rank?

No. The displayed score is diagnostic. Ad quality is assessed separately at auction time.

From insight to action

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Pull specialist with 8+ years' experience. Comes from the agency world and has since worked as an independent consultant for several of the country's largest brands.

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