How Effective Is Google Ads (AdWords) in 2024? Does It Still Work?
The big question everyone asks:
“Is AdWords still effective?”
“Does Google Ads actually work anymore?”
Let’s break it down—with a real-world comparison that makes it crystal clear.
Google Ads Is Like the Stock Market
The presenter makes a brilliant analogy:
“Google Ads is as effective as the stock market.”
At first, this might sound confusing—but give it 30 seconds.
Back Then: Arbitrage Era
In the early 2000s, Google Ads was like the stock market in the 80s or 90s.
- There wasn’t much competition
- There weren’t many advertisers
- You could throw money at it and make a great return
- It was fast, cheap, and full of arbitrage opportunities
Basically, it was easy money if you got in early.
Today: Mature Market
Fast forward to 2024—Google Ads is now a mature, highly competitive auction platform.
It’s no longer about arbitrage. It’s about strategy and skill.
People complain:
- “I can’t make money with AdWords anymore!”
- “It’s too expensive!”
- “It’s not fair!”
But the truth is:
If you know what you’re doing, you can still make a lot of money.
Just like in the stock market today:
- If you invest wisely
- Target the right audience
- Use the right strategy
…you can outperform your competitors and get strong returns.
What Makes Google Ads Effective Today?
Let’s say you’re a divorce lawyer, and someone searches “divorce lawyer near me”.
If your ad appears for that exact search, and your service matches the intent—you’re exactly what the searcher wants.
That’s not a banner ad. That’s not interruption.
That’s intent-based advertising—and that’s where Google Ads shines.
If you target the right traffic, and guide that traffic to a strong landing page, the platform is incredibly effective.
Final Thoughts
So, does Google Ads work in 2024?
✅ Yes, if:
- You know how to structure campaigns
- You optimize consistently
- You target real buyer intent
❌ No, if:
- You set it and forget it
- You don’t monitor performance
- You treat it like a slot machine
Google Ads is not easy money anymore—but it’s still one of the most powerful marketing platforms when used properly.