The Google Ads Mistakes Caused by Wrong Location Targeting (Why Your Ads Reach Everyone Except Your Customers)
The Google Ads Mistakes Caused by Wrong Location Targeting (Why Your Ads Reach Everyone Except Your Customers)
Location targeting in the UAE is simple — until advertisers change one setting. One wrong toggle sends ads to the entire planet. Wrong location settings produce quiet, expensive Google Ads mistakes that drain budget day after day.
Google explains the correct settings here: Location Targeting Best Practices . Ignoring this page leads to irrelevant clicks, wrong regions, and wasted spend.
1. Targeting “Presence or Interest” Instead of “Presence”
This is the most damaging location mistake in the UAE. When advertisers accidentally use: “People in, or interested in, your target location” Google shows ads globally to anyone who has ever searched “Dubai,” “UAE,” or “travel.”
This setting alone creates massive silent Google Ads mistakes.
2. Showing Ads in Countries with Zero Buying Intent
Search terms often reveal unwanted traffic from:
- India
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Egypt
- Nigeria
- Bangladesh
3. Forgetting to Exclude Regions You Do Not Serve
Advertisers forget to exclude:
other Emirates
outside Dubai/Abu Dhabi
countries with no shipping
regions with no service availability
This produces irrelevant impressions and unwanted clicks.
Ignoring exclusions is one of the easiest Google Ads mistakes to fix.
4. Using Broad Radius Targeting (50–100km)
Radius targeting sounds useful — until it includes ports, airports, water, deserts, or other countries. Yes, this happens. A 50km radius in Dubai can reach the sea or Saudi border.
This creates bizarre and expensive Google Ads mistakes.
5. Targeting the Entire UAE for a Local Service
If you provide a local service (example: sofa cleaning Dubai), targeting all seven Emirates burns money instantly. Intent varies by region. User behavior varies by city. Delivery cost varies too. Google does not fix this for you.
6. Not Using Location-Based Keywords
Users in the UAE often search with location modifiers:
- “dubai”
- “abu dhabi”
- “sharjah”
- “near me”
7. Not Checking the Geographic Report
Most advertisers never review: Audience → Locations → Geographic Report. This report exposes every wasted dirham.
Ignoring it allows location mistakes to repeat daily.
Sora Prompt: “The Wrong Location Targeting Documentary”
Generate a 12-second realistic video showing location targeting mistakes in Google Ads.
Scene 1: Advertiser sets "Presence or Interest" accidentally.
Scene 2: Ads appear in irrelevant countries and wrong regions.
Scene 3: CPC rises as unwanted clicks increase.
Scene 4: Correct settings applied with UAE-only precision and proper exclusions.
Final text: "Location determines relevance — Google Ads mistakes determine cost."
Style: modern, realistic, sarcastic educational tone.How Professionals Fix Location Targeting Mistakes Immediately
Use this checklist to remove location-based Google Ads mistakes:
- Set “Presence” only (do not use “Presence or interest”).
- Use city-level targeting: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah (as needed).
- Exclude entire countries with no buying intent.
- Use location keywords in ads & landing pages for relevance.
- Review Geographic Report weekly.
- Use small radius targeting (5–10km) for hyper-local services.
- Test device-specific location behavior (mobile-first).
Location determines the quality of your audience. Fix it, and your wasted budget disappears instantly.
FAQ: Common Location Issues
Why am I getting clicks from outside the UAE?
You are using “Presence or interest” instead of “Presence.”
Why is my CPC increasing?
Irrelevant locations lower performance and raise cost.
Why aren’t my local leads converting?
Your ads are shown to regions you do not serve.
Can fixing location improve results fast?
Yes — often within 24 to 48 hours.
Location targeting is not a setting — it is a strategy. Ignore it, and you repeat the same Google Ads mistakes forever.
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