Running Google Ads for your dental practice but not seeing results? You’re not alone. Many dentists invest heavily in ads but get few leads or bookings in return. The truth is, even well-funded campaigns can fail if not set up correctly.
Whether you’re new to Google Ads or have been running campaigns for years, this guide will help you uncover the top 6 reasons your dental Google Ads aren’t converting—and how to fix them.
1. Poor Keyword Targeting
If your ads are showing up for the wrong searches, you’re wasting money on unqualified traffic.
Common Mistakes:
- Targeting broad keywords like “dentist” without modifiers (e.g., “emergency dentist in Chicago”)
- Not using negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches like “free dental school”
Fix It:
- Use high-intent, long-tail keywords such as “family dentist near me” or “teeth whitening cost Boston”
- Regularly update your negative keyword list to filter out irrelevant clicks
2. No Location Targeting or Overly Broad Targeting
If you’re a local dental clinic, showing ads outside your service area kills conversions and drains your budget.
Common Mistakes:
- Running ads across the entire city or state when your clients come from a 5-mile radius
- Forgetting to set a location radius in campaign settings
Fix It:
- Set up geo-targeting to only show your ads in neighborhoods or zip codes you serve
- Use location-based keywords like “dentist in [your suburb]” to increase relevancy
3. Weak or Irrelevant Landing Pages
Even if your ad is perfect, sending people to a generic or slow-loading website kills conversions.
Common Mistakes:
- Linking all ads to your homepage
- No clear call to action (CTA) like “Book Now” or “Call Today”
- Landing page doesn’t match the ad offer (e.g., ad for implants goes to general services page)
Fix It:
- Create dedicated landing pages for each service (e.g., Invisalign, implants, emergency care)
- Ensure mobile optimization, fast load speed, and prominent CTAs
4. Lack of Ad Extensions
Ad extensions enhance your visibility and encourage more clicks—but many practices ignore them.
Common Mistakes:
- Not using call extensions, sitelinks, or location extensions
- Missing key info like business hours or phone numbers
Fix It:
- Add call, location, and sitelink extensions
- Use promotion extensions for offers like “Free Consultations” or “$50 Off Teeth Whitening.”
5. Not Tracking Conversions Properly
You can’t fix what you don’t measure. Many dental offices run ads but don’t know which ones generate calls or bookings.
Common Mistakes:
- No conversion tracking set up
- Relying only on impressions or clicks to judge ad success
- Ignoring call tracking
Fix It:
- Set up conversion tracking for phone calls, contact form submissions, and online bookings
- Use tools like Google Tag Manager and call tracking software
6. Not Using Compelling Offers or CTAs
Why should someone pick your clinic over others? If your ads don’t answer that, users scroll past.
Common Mistakes:
- Generic ad copy like “Best Dentist in Town”
- No sense of urgency or value
Fix It:
- Use action-oriented CTAs like “Schedule Your Free Consultation Today”
- Promote offers like “New Patient Special: $99 Exam & X-Rays” or “Emergency Appointments Available”
Conclusion
If your dental Google Ads aren’t converting, it’s likely due to one (or more) of these six issues. The good news? Each one is fixable. With the right strategy, targeting, and landing experience, you can turn your ad spend into actual patient bookings.
Need Expert Help?
We specialize in high-converting Google Ads campaigns for dental practices. Let us audit your current campaigns for free and help you optimize for more patients and better ROI. Google Ads Calculator for Dentists.