5 Paid Search Examples for 2025 (+ 3 Types of Search Ads to Know)

Mary wants to find a local candy company to buy some chocolates for her mother’s birthday. She goes on Google and searches. At the very top of the search results, she sees a paid ad for a local candy store, clicks it, and immediately finds exactly what she needs.

As you can see by this scenario, paid search ads are fundamental to helping your business earn more qualified, high-intent leads.

But if you’ve never run a paid search campaign, you may not know what types of paid search ads you can run, or which ones are best for your specific industry.

On this page, we’ll share the different types of search ads you can use, along with top-tier paid search examples to inspire your next campaign.

What is paid search? <a name=”what-is-paid-search”></a>

Paid search is a digital marketing strategy where search engines (like Google or Bing) allow advertisers to show ads on their search engine results pages (SERPs). Advertisers bid on specific keywords so that when a user searches for those terms, their ad appears at the top or bottom of the page.

Because paid search targets users who are actively searching for a solution, it is one of the most effective ways to drive immediate traffic, leads, and sales compared to waiting for organic [Internal Link: SEO services] rankings.

3 Types of paid search ads <a name=”3-types-of-paid-search-ads”></a>

If you’ve never run paid search ads before, you may not know what options are available to you. Here is a quick breakdown of the three main types of paid advertising you can leverage on search engines:

Paid Search Ad Types: Quick Comparison Table

Ad Type	Cost Model	Best Used For	Example Brands
Traditional PPC Ads	Pay-Per-Click	Service businesses, B2B, general brand queries	Starbucks, Dunkin’
Google Shopping Ads	Pay-Per-Click	E-commerce and direct product sales	David’s Bridal, Target
Local Services Ads (LSAs)	Pay-Per-Lead	Local service providers (plumbers, lawyers, real estate)	The Rosenthal Group

1. Traditional pay-per-click (PPC) ads

Traditional pay-per-click (PPC) ads are the most common ads businesses run to reach qualified leads. These are all-text ads that appear at the very top of search results above organic listings — identified by a small “Sponsored” or “Ad” tag.

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of a traditional text-only Google ad for Macy’s.]
[Alt text: A traditional text-based pay-per-click (PPC) ad for Macy’s appearing at the top of Google search results.]

These Google search ads capture user intent by matching query language. They are excellent for attracting people searching for specific terms related to your business, and ad extensions (like site links or call buttons) give you a click-through edge.

2. Google Shopping ads

If you are in e-commerce, Google Shopping ads are a must. These ads appear at the top of search results (often in a carousel) or on the right side of the screen on a desktop.

[Image suggestion: Screenshot showing Google Shopping ads for bridal gowns at the top of the SERP.]
[Alt text: Google Shopping ads for bridal gowns displaying product images, pricing, and ratings at the top of search results.]

Google Shopping ads typically feature:

Product photo
Product name
Price
Brand name
Star ratings or special offers (like free shipping)

For high-consideration items, Shopping ads reduce buyer uncertainty by providing visuals, pricing, and social proof directly in the search results.

3. Google Local Services Ads (LSAs)

The last major type of paid search ad is Google Local Services Ads. These appear at the very top of local search results, above traditional PPC ads and the Google Map Pack.

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of Google Local Services ads for local electricians.]
[Alt text: Google Local Services ads displaying trusted local electricians with Google Guaranteed badges and star ratings.]

Google Local Services ads are reserved solely for service businesses (like plumbers, electricians, and real estate agents). Unlike traditional PPC, these ads operate on a pay-per-lead basis. Google only charges you when someone actually contacts your business through the ad, making it a highly cost-effective option for local pros.

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5 Paid search examples to inspire your campaigns <a name=”5-paid-search-examples”></a>

Now that we’ve covered the different types of search ads, let’s look at some real-world paid search examples to help you craft impactful campaigns.

1. David’s Bridal (Google Shopping Ad Example)

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of David’s Bridal Google Shopping ad for a used bridal gown, showing the “used” tag and star ratings.]
[Alt text: A Google Shopping ad from David’s Bridal for a wedding dress, featuring clear imagery, pricing, and star ratings.]

Type of PPC ad: Google Shopping

David’s Bridal runs highly effective Google Shopping ads that give shoppers all the information they need at a glance. Their ads feature clear, high-quality images of their products so shoppers know exactly what to expect.

Additionally, their ads feature star ratings to build immediate social proof. They also utilize special labeling, such as “used” tags for pre-owned dresses, which sets expectations upfront and attracts value-seeking buyers.

Take inspiration: When you create Google Shopping campaigns, prioritize high-quality product photography and activate customer review feeds. Clear visuals and social proof are the biggest drivers of clicks for e-commerce products.

2. The Rosenthal Group (Local Services Ad Example)

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of a Local Services ad for a law firm/real estate company called the Rosenthal Group.]
[Alt text: A Google Local Services ad for The Rosenthal Group showcasing their photo, reviews, and business hours.]

Type of PPC ad: Google Local Services Ads (LSAs)

This real estate agency has a thorough and informative LSA listing that helps local searchers build trust instantly.

The Rosenthal Group’s listing features a clear professional headshot, their Google rating, hours of operation, and years in business. When users click the ad, they see a detailed service menu, helping searchers filter out mismatched needs and ensuring the agency only pays for highly qualified leads.

Take inspiration: Complete your LSA profile fully. By explicitly listing all the services you offer and adding a professional photo, you help qualified leads determine if you are the right fit before they cost you a lead fee.

3. Starbucks (Traditional PPC with Extensions)

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of a traditional PPC ad from Starbucks highlighting sitelinks and location extensions.]
[Alt text: A traditional text PPC ad from Starbucks featuring sitelink extensions and a location extension to drive in-store visits.]

Type of PPC ad: Traditional PPC

Starbucks provides a masterclass in how to maximize SERP real estate using a traditional text ad.

They utilize multiple [Internal Link: Google Ad extensions] (now called assets) to provide users with an abundance of intent paths. By including location extensions to show the nearest store and sitelink extensions for different menu items, they turn a single ad into a multi-purpose conversion tool.

Take inspiration: Never run a naked text ad. Always take advantage of ad assets (sitelinks, callouts, structured snippets, and call buttons). Something as simple as adding a “Contact Us” sitelink can drastically improve your click-through rate (CTR).

4. Target (Omnichannel Google Shopping Ad)

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of a Target Google Shopping ad for a cake pan featuring the “Pick up today” badge.]
[Alt text: Target Google shopping ad for a cake pan highlighting the “Pick up today” feature for local shoppers.]

Type of PPC ad: Google Shopping

Target’s Google Shopping ad is a perfect example of blending e-commerce with local retail. They use a crisp product photo and showcase high star ratings, but the real star of the ad is the “Pick up today” feature.

This taps into omnichannel urgency, converting shoppers who value speed over shipping costs. Users can buy the item online through the ad and pick it up at their local store hours later.

Take inspiration: If you have a brick-and-mortar location, leverage omnichannel features. Highlighting options like “pick up in-store,” “fast free shipping,” or “curbside pickup” directly in your Shopping ads is incredibly effective for urgent buyers.

5. Dunkin’ (Traditional PPC for Promotions)

[Image suggestion: Screenshot of a Dunkin’ text ad highlighting new products in the sitelinks.]
[Alt text: A traditional PPC text ad for Dunkin’ using sitelink extensions to promote new and seasonal menu items.]

Type of PPC ad: Traditional PPC

Our final paid search example comes from Dunkin’. Like Starbucks, Dunkin’ uses multiple ad extensions, but they employ a specific strategy: using sitelinks to highlight new, seasonal products.

Highlighting new product drops or limited-time promotions in your sitelinks is an excellent way to capture trend-driven clicks and fuel rapid testing for franchise promotions.

Take inspiration: Don’t just use sitelinks for generic pages like “About Us.” Use them to highlight special promotions, seasonal sales, or brand new inventory to create a sense of urgency and excitement.

How much does paid search cost? <a name=”how-much-does-paid-search-cost”></a>

One of the most common questions businesses ask is, “How much should I spend on these ads?”

The cost of paid search varies heavily by industry. Because platforms like Google Ads operate on a bidding system, you pay per click (CPC).

E-commerce clicks might cost $1 to $3.
Highly competitive B2B or legal keywords can cost $50 to $100+ per click.

The beauty of paid search is that you control the budget. You can set daily spending limits to ensure you never exceed your marketing budget. For a deeper dive into budgeting, check out our complete guide to [Internal link: PPC pricing and costs].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) <a name=”faqs”></a>

What is the difference between SEO and paid search?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) involves optimizing your website to rank organically (for free) in search results. Paid search involves paying search engines to display your ads at the top of the results. SEO takes time to build, while paid search offers immediate visibility.

Is Google Ads the same as PPC?
Google Ads is a specific advertising platform, whereas PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is the overarching advertising model. However, because Google Ads is the largest PPC platform in the world, the terms are often used interchangeably.

What is the best type of search ad?
There is no single “best” ad—it depends on your business. E-commerce stores should rely heavily on Google Shopping Ads, local service providers should use Local Services Ads, and B2B or software companies should utilize Traditional PPC text ads.

Not sure what type of paid search ads to run for your business?

After looking at these paid search examples, you may feel inspired—but unsure of where to start. If you need help launching and managing a profitable advertising campaign, WebFX is here to help.

We’re a leading tech-enabled [Internal Link: PPC management company] and a top-rated [Internal Link: Atlanta PPC agency]. We have a team of over 750 marketing experts ready to help you build a custom strategy tailored to your exact industry.

In the past five years, we’ve driven over $10 billion in revenue and over 24 million leads for our clients. You can feel confident we’ll craft campaigns that maximize your ROI.

Ready to put these paid search strategies to work? Our team handles keyword research, ad copywriting, bid management, and ongoing optimization to drive qualified traffic and revenue.

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CMS Meta Data & SEO Setup

Target Keyword: Paid search examples, types of search ads, PPC ad examples
Meta Title: 5 Paid Search Examples for 2025 (+ 3 Types of Search Ads)
Meta Description: See real paid search ad examples from Starbucks, Target, and more. Learn the 3 main types of search ads and how to craft high-converting PPC campaigns.
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Author: Macy Storm (Content Marketing Consultant | Google Ads Certified)
Publish/Last Updated Date: [Insert Current Date, 2025]
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