Google Ads glossary

What Is Quality Score?

Definition

Quality Score is Google Ads' 1-to-10 diagnostic estimate of how your keyword and ad experience compare with other advertisers.

How Quality Score Works

Google reports Quality Score at the keyword level using expected click-through rate, ad relevance and landing-page experience. It is a diagnostic column, not a direct input that is simply multiplied into every auction.

A Simple Example

A keyword with below-average ad relevance may need tighter ad copy or a better-aligned ad group. A weak landing-page rating points to a different problem.

Why Quality Score Matters

Its components help locate relevance problems that may raise costs or reduce visibility.

Common Misreading

Do not optimize for the number alone. Auction-time signals and business results matter more than turning every keyword into a 10.

Go deeper

Continue with the practical guide

The glossary gives you the definition. The guide covers the decisions and implementation in more depth.

Read the full Quality Score guide →