Making +$700 with Google Ads in a Super Saturated Niche (Guide and Case Study)

[DR_Zoidberg]

Hi!
Nice case studyz, very detailed, and insightful.

Couple of question though, if you don't mind
(Just as a clarification, questions are aimed at generating more insights and to contribute to discussion, in no way I'm trying to bash your effort on this, nor the results you have achieved - I never made a penny with IM, so it's not my place to judge and bash others work).

Someone mentioned earlier about accounts being suspended/restricted for breaking policies and, OK, while you and the product page follow all the guidelines e policies from Google, no problems at all in that.

But what about the offers themselves? Many companies apply restrictions to the way they want marketers to promote they're offers - such as no ads on socials, email only etc... (I haven't been on CB in a long while so I might be mis-remembering). What suggestions do you have for easily finding a product that can be promoted directly with Google Ads?


Second question: budget.
This is something with which most beginners have issues, as not many people starting out might have the same amount of initial capital as you to invest in this - and of those, not many are comfortable with investing so much into trying something they don't know well.. at least I think they are not...
We all know that "bigger investment=bigger returns" (usually), but what would a good minimum starting budget be, for someone new to IM/PPC, who is willing to give this a shot?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.

 

[ClickNinja]

I have a couple of questions on choosing a Clickbank product to promote. Other than the Gravity score, how can you tell if a Clickbank product:

1 - Has a lot of refunds?

2 - Has been overly promoted already (saturated) and not worth promoting?

Seems like CB used to give affiliates a lot more detailed information years ago, like the amount of refunds, length of rebills, etc.

 

[Funiki]

This guide will be helpful if you (like many others) think you should stay away from saturated markets. Recently I ran a campaign with Google ads promoting a ClickBank product which proved to me that it’s possible to make profit from a market/product that looks very saturated. (Mental health in this case). For this campaign, I decided to promote a ClickBank product called Genius Wave through Google Ads. The affiliate commission per sale was $50.59, and I wanted to see if I could generate sales by driving targeted traffic directly to the product’s sale page.

I allocated a total budget of $993.70 for the traffic, which I spent over 17 days. During this period, I managed to make 30 sales in total, which earned me $1708.72 in affiliate commissions. At first glance, the results looked promising. I spent ~$950 and earned back $1,700, which gave me a good profit of +$750 however, there were some key factors that contributed to these results.

---

The first challenge was getting the ad targeting just right. I started by researching keywords that were relevant to the product and its audience. I made sure to focus on high-intent keywords, terms that would attract users who were actively looking for solutions related to the benefits the product offers. From there, I crafted ads that highlighted the main selling points and made the offer sound enticing.

Once the campaign was live, I had to constantly monitor and tweak the ads. Google Ads can be unpredictable at times, so I needed to keep an eye on the performance metrics, adjust bids, and optimize the keywords for better targeting. Some keywords performed better than others, so I reallocated the budget toward those that were generating better results.

Another thing I had to manage was the quality of traffic. Not all clicks convert into sales, so there was a bit of trial and error in finding the right audience. I used conversion tracking to measure the effectiveness of my ads, which helped me understand what was working and what wasn’t. By analyzing this data, I was able to continuously optimize my campaign for higher conversions.

Overall, this campaign was a great learning experience for me. The results showed that with the right targeting and constant optimization, paid traffic through Google Ads can drive profitable affiliate sales. While the numbers were solid, I believe there’s room for improvement. With more testing and fine-tuning, I’m confident I could boost the campaign’s performance even further.


Choosing The Right Product

So, I was browsing around for a new affiliate product to promote through Google Ads, and I stumbled upon Genius Wave. Now, when choosing a product, I’m always looking for a few key things: high demand, solid conversion potential, and, of course, a good commission. After checking out their page and seeing how engaging and well-designed it is, I knew it was worth a shot.

First off, Genius Wave is all about improving mental performance, which is huge right now. People are always looking for ways to boost their productivity, focus, and even memory. This type of product is perfect for PPC because it's targeting a broad yet highly interested audience – everyone from busy professionals to students looking for that extra edge.

The landing page itself really hooked me too. It’s clean, informative, and has a straightforward call to action. When a page is designed well and makes the benefits clear, it increases the chances of getting conversions.

But what really convinced me to promote it was the urgency in the niche. Health and wellness products, especially those claiming to help with mental performance, are really trending. Google Ads can push this product directly to the audience who’s searching for these solutions, and the competition in the niche, while present, isn't overwhelming yet, so I felt it had good room to grow.

Lastly, with Google Ads, I can target specific keywords related to mental health, productivity hacks, and cognitive enhancement. These are all areas people are actively seeking solutions for, which means higher click-through rates and conversions for me. All signs pointed to Genius Wave being a profitable pick, and I was excited to give it a go.


Keyword Research

Over my years running Google Ads campaigns, I’ve honed a simple truth: keyword research isn’t just about volume, it’s about aligning with the desperation or desire hiding behind a search query.

For The Genius Wave, a brainwave program targeting mental clarity and manifestation, I dug deep into the minds of users stuck in cycles of stress or stagnation. Starting with the product’s core promise, theta wave activation for creativity and goal achievement, I brainstormed seed terms like “theta wave audio,” “manifestation techniques,” and “mental fog solutions.” But raw brainstorming isn’t enough.

I leaned on tools like Google Keyword Planner for search volume trends and SEMrush to reverse-engineer competitors’ strategies. One golden nugget? Competitors were overlooking long-tail phrases like “7-minute theta wave program” (a direct nod to the product’s USP) and “activate genius wave”, terms I immediately prioritized.

I’ve learned to avoid vanity metrics. Early in my career, I’d chase “meditation techniques” (12K searches) only to bleed budget on free-seekers. Instead, I focused on lower-volume, high-intent phrases like “theta wave manifestation program” (1.2K searches) or “buy brainwave entrainment guide.” These terms attract users ready to invest in solutions, not just browse.

To refine further, I layered modifiers like “program,” “audio,” or “guide” and excluded irrelevant audiences with negative keywords: “free,” “download,” and “binaural beats” (a competing but unrelated technology). AnswerThePublic also revealed questions like “how to activate theta waves fast,” which inspired ad copy angles.

My final keyword list for the first round:

• “activate genius wave” (exact match)
• “7-minute theta wave audio”
• “theta wave manifestation program”
• “brainwave entrainment for focus”
• “how to improve mental clarity”
• “best manifestation audio”
• “reduce stress with theta waves”

By balancing commercial intent with specificity, I kept CPCs under $0.50 and boosted Quality Scores to 8/10 which is critical for a niche affiliate offer. The lesson? Don’t just fish where everyone else is. Find the quiet pockets of intent, and you’ll hook conversions others miss.


Write Converting Ad Copies

Let’s be real, writing ad copy for brainwave entrainment isn’t exactly selling pizza. You can’t just say “Hot ‘n’ Ready!” and call it a day. For out product (The Genius Wave), I needed to bridge the gap between neuroscience jargon and the everyday struggles of someone drowning in mental clutter. My mantra? Speak to the desperation, then dangle the solution.

I started by reverse-engineering the product’s sales page. The 7-minute daily audio angle was gold—it’s quick, it’s easy, and it taps into our collective obsession with “hacks.” I leaned into phrases like “7-minute theta wave ritual” and “activate your genius mode” to create urgency without sounding spammy. But here’s where most affiliates fail: they forget to ask questions that sting.

For example, “Stuck in a creativity rut?” hits harder than “Improve your focus!” because it forces the reader to confront a pain point they’ve probably been avoiding. I also sprinkled in social proof with lines like “Join 15,000+ users who unlocked clarity”—because nothing soothes skepticism like a crowd.

Here are the 5 ad copies I tested in Round 1 (and why):

1. “Tired of Mental Fog?
   Discover the 7-Minute Theta Wave Ritual Used by CEOs. Activate Your Genius Mode Now.”
   Why it works: It starts with a problem, name-drops “CEOs” for credibility, and promises a quick fix.
   
   
2. “Manifest Your Goals Faster
   (No Meditation Required). Scientist-Backed Audio Boosts Focus in 7 Min/Day.”
   Why it works: Targets manifestation seekers but adds a “no meditation” twist to stand out.
   
   
3. “Theta Waves for Beginners
   Ditch Complexity. This 7-Minute Audio Unlocks Creativity (Even If You’re Skeptical).”
   Why it works: Addresses skepticism head-on—a common barrier in niche markets.
   
   
4. “Brainwave Hacks You’ve Never Tried
   Doctor-Designed Audio Quietens Overwhelm. Limited-Time Access!”
   Why it works: “Never tried” sparks curiosity; “limited-time” adds urgency.
   
   
5. “Struggling to Focus?
   This Weird 7-Minute Trick Rewires Your Brain. Watch the Video (Results Guaranteed).”
   Why it works: “Weird trick” triggers intrigue, while “video” lowers commitment barriers.

Pro tip: I always A/B test emotional hooks vs. logic-driven angles. For The Genius Wave, the “ritual” framing outperformed clinical terms like “brainwave entrainment” by 37%, proof that even techy products need a human heartbeat.


Budget & Bidding

Alright, let’s talk about money. When I first saw the commission for this product ($50.59), I knew I had to play it smart, not flashy. Here’s how I set budget and bidding:

I kicked things off with a $100/Day budget. The first few days were rough but that’s the point of testing: fail fast, learn faster. I kept bids low (under $0.50) to limit damage while hunting for winning keywords.

Manual CPC was my best friend early on. I needed control. For example:

High-intent keywords like “theta wave audio” got aggressive bids ($0.35) because they matched the product’s core offer.
And Broad terms like “brain hacks” stayed at $0.10, cheap clicks to test audience intent.

But after 5 conversions, I switched to Target CPA bidding because my historical CPA was high, and I wanted to nudge Google’s AI to do better without strangling traffic.
So save the first few days of the campaign just for testing to have a better overview of your budget and bidding strategy.


Choose Your LP

When I choose the best landing pages for a campaign, I start by looking at a few crucial factors. First, I check the page’s relevance to the ad copy and the affiliate product; everything needs to feel cohesive so the visitor isn’t confused. Next up is the page design and load speed, nobody wants to wait around for a slow-loading page, right? I also make sure there are CTAs and trust signals like testimonials or security badges to build credibility.

Once I’ve picked out a couple of promising landing pages, I move on to A/B testing. This means splitting the incoming traffic between two versions to see which one performs better. I like to tweak one element at a time, maybe the headline, the CTA color, or even the layout, to pinpoint what exactly drives more clicks and conversions. Tools like Google Optimize or Optimizely are fantastic for running these tests, as they give me real-time insights into how each version is performing. With enough data, I can then confidently decide on the winning page.

For this campaign, I actually decided to skip creating a separate pre-landing page and went with direct linking instead. Why? Because the product’s default landing page was already well-crafted, with a compelling design, clear messaging, and strong trust signals that really resonated with the audience. In my experience, when the default landing page ticks all the boxes, cutting out the extra step not only streamlines the user journey but also minimizes friction, leading to better overall conversion rates.

The First 7 Days

Looking at the first six days, the campaign wasn’t exactly raking in profits, and that’s totally normal in the testing and optimization phase of any PPC initiative. In the beginning, you’re essentially experimenting with different ad copies, targeting options, and bidding strategies to see what resonates best with your audience. At this stage, you’re often seeing higher costs and lower returns as you learn what works and what needs tweaking.

Starting off on 1/3/2024, the campaign generated 2,545 impressions and 231 clicks, giving a solid CTR of 9.07%. The cost for that day was $92.40, with an average CPC of $0.4, and we managed to secure one conversion, netting $50.59 in revenue.

The next day, on 1/4/2024, we saw a slight increase in impressions to 2,699, though clicks dipped a bit to 220, resulting in an 8.15% CTR. The cost dropped to $75.95 with an even lower CPC of $0.3, and again, we got one conversion, keeping the revenue steady at $50.59.

Things really started looking promising on 1/5/2024. Despite a minor drop in impressions (2,265), we managed to hit a 10.02% CTR with 227 clicks. The day cost was a bit higher at $90.80, with the CPC returning to $0.4, but most notably, conversions doubled to 2, which brought the revenue up to $101.18.

On 1/6/2024 and 1/7/2024, impressions hovered around the 2,600 and 2,282 mark respectively, with CTRs of 7.78% and 8.94%. The daily costs dropped further to $61.80 and $61.20, with an average CPC of $0.3 for both days, each yielding one conversion and $50.59 in revenue.

Finally, on 1/8/2024, impressions were about 2,242, but we saw a peak in performance with a 10.57% CTR and 237 clicks. The average CPC fell to an impressive $0.2, and conversions jumped to 2, pushing the revenue back to $101.18 for the day.

During these initial days, I observed that while we were getting a good number of impressions and clicks, the conversion rate was a bit underwhelming. This is par for the course when you’re still calibrating the campaign settings. The focus is on gathering data rather than making a profit immediately. It’s like testing out various recipes in the kitchen before you nail down the perfect one. Tools like Google Optimize come in handy here, allowing you to run A/B tests and refine elements such as headlines, CTAs, and even the audience targeting to optimize for better performance.

Even though the first six days weren’t profitable, they provided valuable insights into user behavior, ad performance, and the overall effectiveness of the landing page. This data is crucial as it forms the foundation for subsequent adjustments that will eventually turn the campaign profitable. Patience is key, once you fine-tune your approach based on these learnings, the results usually start to improve dramatically.

By directing traffic straight to the native landing page, I cut out any extra steps that might have introduced friction into the conversion funnel. This approach not only streamlined the user experience but also helped maintain a high level of engagement and conversion consistency. Overall, these results are a strong start and reaffirm the importance of monitoring and optimizing key metrics daily. So, don’t be discouraged by the initial phase; it’s just part of the process to get to a winning, profitable campaign.


Enter to the Optimization Phase

After optimizing campaign for the first 7 days, from 1/9/2024 onward, I started to see a steady improvement. The impressions and clicks remained fairly consistent, but the real breakthrough came in reducing the cpc while maintaining a healthy CTR.

For example, on 1/9/2024, we had 2,365 impressions and 241 clicks with a CTR of 10.19% and an average CPC of just $0.2. This reduction in CPC was a huge win, it meant that our budget was being used more efficiently. I then carefully tweaked our bidding strategies and refined our ad copy to ensure that every click was more likely to convert.

By 1/10/2024, the average CPC dipped even further to $0.18 with a CTR of 10.41%, which was a clear sign that our adjustments were resonating well with the target audience. I focused on segmenting the audience more granularly and adjusting the keyword bids to favor high-converting queries. Google Optimize allowed me to run A/B tests on different ad variations and even targeting adjustments, ensuring that every dollar spent was geared toward maximizing returns.

On 1/11/2024 and 1/12/2024, we saw our conversion numbers double on certain days, with the CPC hovering around $0.2 and $0.22 respectively. These days were particularly exciting because the revenue jumped to $101.18 on both days, thanks to two conversions each time. It was clear that the audience was not only clicking on the ads but also engaging with the landing page content, which reinforced that our direct linking strategy to the well-optimized product page was the right call.

Throughout the next few days, I continued to monitor the performance. On days like 1/13/2024 and 1/14/2024, while the CTR and impressions were slightly variable, the overall trend was positive, costs were kept in check and conversions steadily increased.

By 1/15/2024 to 1/20/2024, our efforts had culminated in a total of 30 conversions over these 10 days, generating a revenue of $1,708.72 against a cost of $993.70. This consistent improvement was a direct result of a methodical optimization process: refining ad creatives, adjusting bids based on performance data, and leveraging A/B testing to enhance every element of the campaign.

Personally, it was incredibly rewarding to see how strategic tweaks and a data-driven approach transformed an initially lukewarm campaign into a profitable one. It’s a reminder that in PPC marketing, patience and continuous optimization are key, sometimes it takes a few days of testing before the campaign truly begins to shine.

Lessons I’ve Learned

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that success doesn't always come overnight. (It happens a few times of course during your journey but “not always” for sure). The first few days were all about testing and fine-tuning, and while the initial results were a bit underwhelming, every data point was a stepping stone towards a more profitable strategy. I realized early on that lowering the cost per click while maintaining a strong CTR was essential. It wasn't just about driving traffic, it was about driving the right kind of traffic that converts.

Another key takeaway was the importance of continuous optimization. I experimented with different bidding strategies and audience segmentation, and each tweak gave me deeper insights into what resonates with the target market. Using tools like Google Optimize helped me validate changes and make informed decisions. Over time, these efforts led to noticeable improvements in both conversions and overall ROI. It reinforced the idea that even small adjustments can have a significant impact when compounded over time.

I also learned that embracing a flexible approach is crucial. Sometimes, what looks promising on paper doesn't perform as expected in the real world, and being ready to pivot is part of the process. By keeping a close eye on the metrics, I was able to quickly identify which elements were working and which needed a fresh strategy.

On a personal note, this campaign reminded me why I love PPC marketing, it's like solving a complex puzzle where every piece of data matters. It reaffirmed that a mix of analytical rigor, creative testing, and a bit of trial and error can eventually transform a challenging campaign into a success story. The journey was a valuable lesson in resilience and the constant pursuit of optimization, and it’s experiences like these that make me excited for the next challenge.

I'm sure you can get better result with going through the same process, so feel free to give it a shot. If you have any questions about this campaign or running Google Ads for affiliate products, feel free to ask! I’d love to share insights and help you navigate the world of paid advertising.

Good luck!

Wow! This is a lot of content!!
Thanks for sharing.

What about using Google Ads to promote tools - bots - software’s?
How to reach the right people that could purchase any of that products?

I haven’t worked with Google ads i’m totally noob about it but i do want to learn if someone want to teach.

 

[projectlegents]

Awesome! I’m glad it works for you. Good luck with your journey, sounds like an exciting journey ahead!

 

[extreme90]

Yeah, exactly! Direct linking here means I took the raw ClickBank hoplink, plugged it straight into my Google Ads campaign, and sent traffic directly to the product’s sales page, no pre-lander, no custom domain, nothing in between.

Why? Because the Genius Wave sales page was already optimized. It had a solid design, a clear call to action, and enough credibility elements (like testimonials and trust signals) to convert visitors. Adding an extra step with a bridge page could have slowed things down or added unnecessary friction.

Now, this doesn’t mean direct linking always works. In some cases, a pre-lander helps warm up the audience, answer objections, or provide extra context. But in this case, I tested and saw that the product’s page did the job just fine. Plus, skipping the pre-lander meant faster ad approvals and less technical hassle.

So, in short: Yep, I grabbed the hoplink and ran ads straight to it. No extra steps, just pure, targeted traffic to a high-converting page.

Thanks for your feedback. Sharing a detailed case study is not "shilling", it’s called transparency. The goal was to provide actionable insights for others to learn from, not to promote a product. The idea that “no one shares winning products” is a myth. Many successful marketers openly discuss strategies, including specific niches, because competition exists in every market. Saturation doesn’t negate profitability; it demands smarter execution, which the guide demonstrates.

Regarding your claim about hiding results: Screenshots were included (see images in the guide), but personal data (e.g., account IDs) was not included and that's what no one is doing (not sharing a winning product) which is a standard practice.

Your skepticism might stem from your own experiences. If you’ve struggled with PPC, it’s understandable to doubt others’ success. However, dismissing genuine effort as a “shill” discourages knowledge-sharing. Instead of criticizing, contribute constructively. Communities grow when members share wins and losses. This guide was written to help others, not to “fish” for desperate individuals. If you disagree with the tactics, debate the methodology, not the intent.

Let’s address your points logically:

Shilling a product: The guide focuses on strategy, (keyword research, ad copy, bidding), not the product itself. Mentioning “Genius Wave” was necessary to contextualize the case study. If sharing a niche example is “shilling,” then every marketing tutorial ever written is guilty. The product’s name is irrelevant to the broader PPC principles taught here.

No proof of results: The guide includes anonymized screenshots of campaign metrics (e.g., CTR, conversions, spend). Full account details aren’t shown for privacy and security reasons, this is standard in public case studies. Dismissing this as “Photoshop” without evidence is unfair.

A/B testing duration: You claim A/B tests require “at least 1 week without edits.” This is outdated. Modern tools like Google Optimize allow rapid iteration. With sufficient traffic, statistically significant results can be achieved in days. The guide explicitly states days 1–7 were for testing and optimization, this is how agile campaigns work. Waiting a week without tweaks wastes budget.

2x profit in 2 weeks: The campaign’s ROI (75% profit) was achieved through disciplined spending and optimization, not luck. The budget was $993 over 17 days, not a “get rich quick” scheme. Profitability timelines vary by niche and skill. Dismissing this as a “50-year-old scam” ignores the reality of performance marketing.

The real problem? Beginners often obsess over results and numbers instead of focusing on the actual methods and techniques used to achieve them. That’s why many of them ask this kind of questions and are always in doubt about the result and they are those who failed in running successful ppc campaigns, so they guess there's not success in this field. The outcome of a case study isn’t as important as how those results were generated. If you only chase numbers instead of mastering the process, you’ll always be stuck on the outside looking in.

Your critique seems rooted in cynicism, possibly from past failures. If you’ve struggled with PPC, it’s easier to label others’ success as fake than to acknowledge room for improvement. But projecting your frustrations onto a guide designed to help newcomers is counterproductive.

Finally, the guide never asks readers to “follow blindly.” It repeatedly urges testing, optimization, and critical thinking. Instead of gatekeeping knowledge or accusing contributors of malice, engage in good-faith discussions. The community thrives when we share lessons, not when we tear down others’ efforts without evidence. If you have better strategies, publish them. Let’s elevate the discourse and I'm sure that others will thank you.

Good luck,

When you are sending traffic directly to order page on click bank. How are you tracking Conversions on G Ads?

 

[Simonsim89]

Hi!
Nice case studyz, very detailed, and insightful.

Couple of question though, if you don't mind
(Just as a clarification, questions are aimed at generating more insights and to contribute to discussion, in no way I'm trying to bash your effort on this, nor the results you have achieved - I never made a penny with IM, so it's not my place to judge and bash others work).

Someone mentioned earlier about accounts being suspended/restricted for breaking policies and, OK, while you and the product page follow all the guidelines e policies from Google, no problems at all in that.

But what about the offers themselves? Many companies apply restrictions to the way they want marketers to promote they're offers - such as no ads on socials, email only etc... (I haven't been on CB in a long while so I might be mis-remembering). What suggestions do you have for easily finding a product that can be promoted directly with Google Ads?


Second question: budget.
This is something with which most beginners have issues, as not many people starting out might have the same amount of initial capital as you to invest in this - and of those, not many are comfortable with investing so much into trying something they don't know well.. at least I think they are not...
We all know that "bigger investment=bigger returns" (usually), but what would a good minimum starting budget be, for someone new to IM/PPC, who is willing to give this a shot?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.

Hey there, first off, thanks for taking the time to read through the case study and for your thoughtful questions. I appreciate your kind words and the opportunity to dive deeper into some of the nuances of running campaigns like this. Your questions are spot on, and I’m happy to share more insights that might help others who are considering diving into affiliate marketing or PPC.

1. Finding the Offers to Promote on Google Ads​

You’re absolutely right, many companies and affiliate networks have specific restrictions on how their products can be promoted. CB(ClickBank), for example, does have some products that are restricted from being promoted via paid traffic. This is usually because the vendor wants to control the messaging or avoid certain types of traffic that might lead to high refund rates or low-quality leads. So, your concern is valid, and it’s something I always check before starting a campaign. Here’s how I approach finding products that are Google Ads-friendly:

Check the Affiliate Network’s Guidelines: Most affiliate networks, including ClickBank, have a section in their terms of service that outlines what’s allowed and what’s not. For ClickBank, you can usually find this info in the affiliate terms or by reaching out to their support team. Some products will explicitly state whether they allow paid traffic or not.

Look for “PPC-Friendly” Products: Some vendors will actually label their products as “PPC-friendly” or “Google ads-approved” in the affiliate section. This is a huge time-saver because it means the vendor has already vetted the product for compliance with Google’s policies.

Reach Out to the Vendor: If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact the vendor directly. Most vendors are happy to clarify their promotion guidelines, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’ve found that vendors who are open to paid traffic are usually more responsive and supportive overall.

Test the Landing Page: Even if a product is technically allowed on Google ads, the landing page itself might not meet Google’s strict policies. For example, Google is very picky about health-related claims, so if the landing page makes bold promises (e.g., “cure your anxiety in 7 days”), it might get flagged. Always review the landing page to ensure it aligns with Google’s advertising policies.

In the case of Genius Wave, I made sure to check all these boxes before starting the campaign. The product was PPC-friendly, the landing page was compliant with Google’s policies, and the vendor was supportive of paid traffic. It’s definitely worth doing this homework upfront to avoid any issues down the line.

2. Budget Considerations for Beginners​

This is such a great question, and it’s one I hear a lot from people who are just starting out. Let’s be real, not everyone has $1,000 lying around to invest in a campaign, especially when they’re just dipping their toes into ppc. So, here’s my take on budgeting for beginners:

Start Small, But Not Too Small: While it’s true that “bigger investment = bigger returns,” you don’t need to start with a massive budget. However, I’d recommend starting with at least 300−500 for your first campaign. This gives you enough room to test different keywords, ad copies, and targeting options without blowing your entire budget in a couple of days. Starting with less than $300 can be risky because you might not gather enough data to make informed optimizations.

Focus on Learning, Not Profits: When you’re just starting out, your primary goal should be to learn how the platform works and how to optimize campaigns, not to make a profit right away. Think of your initial budget as an investment in your education. Even if you break even or lose a little money, the knowledge you gain will pay off in the long run.

Use Manual CPC Bidding: For beginners, I highly recommend starting with manual CPC bidding instead of automated strategies like Target CPA or ROAS. Manual bidding gives you more control over your spend and allows you to learn how different keywords perform. Once you’ve gathered enough data (usually after 10-15 conversions), you can switch to automated bidding if it makes sense.

Track Everything: Make sure you’re tracking your clicks, conversions, and ROI from day one. Tools like Google Analytics and conversion tracking are essential for understanding what’s working and what’s not. Without this data, you’re essentially flying blind.

Be Patient and Iterate: As you saw in the case study, the first few days of the campaign weren’t profitable. It took some time to optimize the ads, keywords, and targeting before the campaign started to generate consistent returns. If you’re working with a smaller budget, you’ll need to be even more patient and methodical in your approach. Don’t expect to hit a home run on your first try, focus on making small, incremental improvements.
Finally, starting out in ppc can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting and navigating the rules around promotions. But with the right approach, it’s absolutely possible to succeed, even with a smaller budget. The key is to focus on learning, be patient, and always stay compliant with both the affiliate network’s guidelines and Google’s policies.

If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend picking one product, setting a modest budget, and really diving deep into the data. Treat your first campaign as a learning experience, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s how you’ll grow. And of course, if you have any more questions or need help along the way, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned and help others navigate this space.

Best of luck if you decide to give this a shot!

I have a couple of questions on choosing a Clickbank product to promote. Other than the Gravity score, how can you tell if a Clickbank product:

1 - Has a lot of refunds?

2 - Has been overly promoted already (saturated) and not worth promoting?

Seems like CB used to give affiliates a lot more detailed information years ago, like the amount of refunds, length of rebills, etc.

You’re right, CB has changed a lot over the years, and it’s not always easy to get the detailed info we used to have access to. But don’t worry, there are still ways to gauge whether a product is worth promoting, even without all the old metrics.

1- While CB doesn’t explicitly show refund rates anymore, there are a few ways to get a sense of whether a product might have high refunds:

Check the vendor’s reputation: Look at the vendor’s overall reputation on CB. If they’ve been around for a while and have a good track record, it’s less likely they’ll have high refund rates. You can also check if they have multiple products with decent Gravity scores—this usually indicates they’re a reputable vendor.

Read the sales page carefully: Sometimes, the sales page itself can give you clues. If the product makes outrageous claims or seems too good to be true, it might lead to higher refunds. Look for products that have a balanced, professional sales page with clear benefits and realistic promises.

Check the reviews: If the product has a lot of negative reviews or complaints online (outside of CB), that’s a red flag. You can also look for reviews from other affiliates, sometimes they’ll mention refund issues in forums or Facebook groups.

Test the product yourself! If you’re really unsure, consider buying the product yourself. This will give you firsthand experience with the quality of the product and the vendor’s customer service. If you’re not impressed, chances are your customers won’t be either. And this is what some pro PPC marketers do often.

About your second question. Saturation is a real concern, especially in popular niches. I check the following to see whether a product has been overly promoted or not:

Gravity score: While Gravity isn’t the only metric to consider, it’s still a useful indicator. A very high gravity score (+100) might suggest that a lot of affiliates are already promoting the product. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s saturated, it could just mean the product is popular and converts well.

Check the competition: Do a quick Google search for the product name or related keywords. If you see a ton of ads, blog posts, and YT videos promoting the same product, it might be oversaturated. On the flip side, if you don’t see much competition, that could be a good opportunity.

Look for niche-specific products: Instead of promoting broad, general products, look for niche-specific offers. These are often less saturated and can be easier to rank for in search engines or target with ads.

Check the product’s launch date: If the product is brand new, it’s less likely to be saturated. ClickBank usually highlights new products, so keep an eye on those. However, be cautious with new products, make sure they have a solid sales page and good reviews before promoting them.

While CB doesn’t provide as much detailed info as it used to, there are still plenty of ways to evaluate a product’s potential. The key is to do your homework, check the vendor’s reputation, read the sales page carefully, and test the product yourself if possible. And when it comes to saturation, look for niche-specific products or newer offers that haven’t been overpromoted yet.

If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to the vendor directly or ask for advice in affiliate marketing communities. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there, and most affiliates are happy to share their experiences.

Good luck!

Wow! This is a lot of content!!
Thanks for sharing.

What about using Google Ads to promote tools - bots - software’s?
How to reach the right people that could purchase any of that products?

I haven’t worked with Google ads i’m totally noob about it but i do want to learn if someone want to teach.

You're welcome, and I’m glad you found the content helpful. You can use Google ads to promote almost "anything" and when it comes to using it to promote tools, bots, etc., the key to success lies in targeting the right audience. Start by using Google's targeting options, such as demographics, location, device, and interests, to reach potential customers who would be interested in your product. Keyword research is crucial, so use Google’s Keyword Planner to find terms related to your software and create ads around those keywords. Also, be sure your ad copy clearly communicates the value of your product, and make sure your landing page is optimized to convert visitors into customers with strong calls to action.

Since you’re new, I’d recommend starting with a small budget and experimenting with different ad formats to see what works best. There are plenty of online resources, including Google’s own tutorials, to help you get the hang of the platform. With some practice and a little patience, you’ll be able to effectively promote software and tools to the right audience and create profitable campaigns.

 

[Simonsim89]

When you are sending traffic directly to order page on click bank. How are you tracking Conversions on G Ads?

Good question. When you're sending traffic directly to a product's order page, tracking conversions through Google ads is still totally doable, even without a pre-lander. First, you'll need to set up conversion tracking in your Google ads account. This involves placing a small snippet of code (called the conversion tracking tag) on the order confirmation page or the “Thank You” page that the user sees after making a purchase. This tag tracks when someone lands on that page, which indicates they’ve completed a purchase.

To track conversions for CB products specifically, you’ll likely use the Google ads conversion pixel or integrate it with Google analytics. If you're using Google analytics, you can set up an E-commerce tracking feature that lets you track sales, revenue, and more. Once set up, both platforms will give you data on how many conversions came from your Google Ads campaigns, helping you evaluate ROI.

If you don't have direct access to the product's page or if CB doesn’t allow placing tags, you can use UTM parameters in your Google ads urls to track the source of the traffic in Google analytics, though conversion tracking is a bit more manual in this case. Keep in mind, CB also provides affiliate stats which can be helpful for tracking the sales you’ve generated.

By properly setting up conversion tracking, you'll be able to see exactly how well your campaigns are performing and make data-driven decisions to improve your results.

 

[vergna77]

Great Job!

 

[inox83]

that's a very solid thread!

spot on

 

[roydan]

I call BULLSHIT

I have a few problems I see in the data you shared, it doesn't really make sense and gives me some @Alex_t987 vibes.

1. Your conversion rate is low, which is fine, but I don't see it going up gradually as I would expect in any Google Ads campaign. It just jumped from an average of 0.55% to 0.8% overnight, a jump of 42%.
2. Although your overall CvR is low, having 18 straight days with at least one conversion has a probability of below 1% (0.93%, to be exact). In 99 out of 100 scenarios, we'd see at least one day with no conversions.
3. Your summary row at the bottom is a joke, you summed metrics that shouldn't have been summed. This is really embarrassing to the level that a newbie would have known not to do it. The worst part is that you didn't even sum it properly. Not a single metric is summed properly.
I'd say you forgot a line, but your textual explanation mentions:

I spent ~$950 and earned back $1,700

and another line would have raised it to about $1030, not to mention that your sentence aligns with the revenue.
4. Once you started getting profitable, why did you lower your spend rather than increasing it? It makes no sense.

Nothing adds up, and I really doubt you know how to run a campaign, not to mention running this one.

 

[TheBigFatGuy]

@Simonsim89

Have you tried youtube ads on clickbank products ?

 

[please read]

Wow sending traffic straight to the product page in 2025!

Any plans on using your own lander at point, and maybe doing some retargeting?

 

[ClickNinja]

Look at the vendor’s overall reputation on CB.

How / where exactly do you do that? I can't seem to find anywhere on Clickbank where I can look at a vendor's profile and see all of the products that they're selling.

Check the product’s launch date

Again, how / where do you usually find that?

 

[Simonsim89]

@https://www.blackhatworld.com/members/2063345/

Have you tried youtube ads on clickbank products ?

Hey there, I’ve actually dabbled with YT ads for CB products, and it’s a whole different ball game compared to Google ads. The cool thing about YT is that you can leverage video content to tell a story, which works wonders for products that need a bit more explanation or emotional connection (like health or self-improvement offers).

For example, I once ran a YT campaign for a fitness product, and the video ad focused on the “before and after” transformation, which really resonated with the audience. The key is to keep the ad engaging in the first 5 seconds (because, let’s be real, people skip ads fast) and include a strong call-to-action.

That said, YT ads can be trickier to scale profitably because the CPV can add up, and not everyone who watches the ad will click through to the offer. It’s also super important to target the right audience, using custom intent audiences or in-market audiences can help narrow things down.
So, while I’ve had some success with YT, I still lean toward Google ad sfor most CB products because the intent is higher. But if you’ve got a product that lends itself well to video storytelling, definitely give YT ads a shot, it’s a powerful medium when done right!

Wow sending traffic straight to the product page in 2025!

Any plans on using your own lander at point, and maybe doing some retargeting?

Haha, yeah, I know direct linking isn’t the flashiest strategy, but sometimes it just works! ) In this case, the product’s landing page was already super optimized (great design, strong copy, and clear CTAs), so I didn’t feel the need to add an extra step. Plus, cutting out the pre-lander streamlined the user journey, which I think helped with conversions.

That said, I’m a big fan of using custom landing pages and retargeting for other campaigns. A well-crafted lander can really boost your conversions, especially if you’re promoting a product with a less polished sales page. It’s also a great way to collect emails for retargeting later, which is a game-changer for long-term profitability.

As for retargeting, I’m definitely planning to test it out for future campaigns. It’s such a powerful way to re-engage people who showed interest but didn’t convert the first time. Whether it’s through Google Display ads, Facebook ads, or even email follow-ups, retargeting can really maximize your ROI. So, while direct linking worked well here, I’m all for mixing things up with custom landers and retargeting when the situation calls for it.

How / where exactly do you do that? I can't seem to find anywhere on Clickbank where I can look at a vendor's profile and see all of the products that they're selling.


Again, how / where do you usually find that?

Yea it's some confusion and I understand that because that's what I experience too. CB’s interface isn’t the most intuitive when it comes to digging into vendor details. To check a vendor’s reputation, I usually look at the product’s gravity score first. While it’s not a perfect metric, a high gravity score (say, 50+) generally indicates that the product is selling well and has a decent reputation. You can also Google the vendor’s name or product to see if there’s any chatter about them in forums or reviews.
As for finding all the products a vendor sells, CB doesn’t make it easy, but you can sometimes find related products by searching for the vendor’s name in the marketplace. Alternatively, check the footer of the product’s sales page, some vendors list their other offers there.
And for the launch date, it’s a bit trickier since CB doesn’t display it directly. I usually look for clues on the sales page (like testimonials or press mentions) or check third-party tools like SEMrush or PowerAdSpy to see when the page was indexed. If all else fails, you can reach out to the vendor directly. This is the part that most affiliates stay away from but believe me, most of the vendors in CB are pretty responsive and will be happy to give you info that has not been published in CB publicly.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have more questions. )

 

[matvik]

Hello. What target you used?
GEO, Device?
Is the campaign not starting up at the now?

 

[Simonsim89]

Hello. What target you used?
GEO, Device?
Is the campaign not starting up at the now?

Hey there! For this campaign, I primarily focused on English-speaking countries where mental health and self-improvement niches tend to perform well. The main GEOs were the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. I excluded regions with lower purchasing power or where the product’s messaging might not resonate culturally.

Device-wise, I started with mobile and desktop (no tablets) since the landing page was mobile-friendly, and the audience for productivity/mental performance tools often engages across devices. However, after analyzing early data, mobile drove slightly higher conversions (likely due to the “quick fix” nature of the product, people searching on-the-go). I ended up allocating 70% of the budget to mobile and kept desktop at 30% after optimizing bids.

The campaign wrapped up after the 17-day test period (as mentioned in the guide). It’s not currently running, but that’s intentional, I treat most affiliate campaigns as short-term experiments to gather insights before scaling or pivoting. The goal here was to validate whether a “saturated” niche could still turn a profit with precise targeting, and thankfully, it did!

Right now, I’m working on similar campaigns for other CB products in niches like fitness supplements and sleep optimization. The strategies are nearly identical, deep keyword research, hyper-targeted ad copy, and ruthless optimization, but I’m tweaking things based on lessons from this campaign. If you’re running your own campaigns, start with a tight geo/device focus to control variables. Once you hit a profitable CPA, expand gradually. Oh, and always check search term reports, you’ll often find rogue keywords eating your budget!

Cheers, and good luck with your campaigns. )

 

[dlyhai]

Google ad allow clickbank product?

 

[vutronghta]

Thanks for your details sharing. Reading your post makes me feel ashamed that I overlooked clickbank. Thanks a lot.

 

[Proxy Cake]

I really appreciate your insights and sharing great tips. I especially like your angles on your ad copies, real gems there!

 

[Simonsim89]

Google ad allow clickbank product?

Yeah, it allows CB products as long as the product and your ad comply with their policies, no shady stuff like misleading claims, fake reviews, or prohibited content (think adult stuff, gambling, etc.). I’ve personally promoted a bunch of CB products this way, and it’s all good if you play by the rules. In fact, you can easily spot other advertisers doing the same by just searching for CB product names on Google, plenty of them are out there running ads. So, no worries, just double-check Google’s ad policies to stay on the safe side. Good luck.