Google Ads Search Campaign For Affiliate Performance Problem in 2025

Hello Guys,

I'm an affiliate and I want to run an affiliate link on Google Ads with the campaign goal set to Search. The problem is that performance is very low, and I suspect it might be because of Google Tag Manager, as they are requesting it to be set up. I can’t do it because, as an affiliate, I don’t have access to the website.

I have experience with Google Ads from 2019–2021, when I was running Search campaigns that performed well, and they didn’t require Google Tag Manager back then. But when I returned to using Google Ads, I was surprised by how many updates they had made.

Is there any solution for this? Or is there a Search goal campaign that can deliver similar results?

Hi, nice to meet you. You are posting in google ad?

Without site access, you won’t be able to set up Google Tag Manager or conversion tracking directly, which hurts optimization. You could try running a clicks-focused or Maximize CPC campaign instead of a conversion goal, then track conversions with a third-party tracker or via affiliate platform reports. This way, Google still learns from engagement while you monitor performance externally.

thebeastnetwork said:

Without site access, you won’t be able to set up Google Tag Manager or conversion tracking directly, which hurts optimization. You could try running a clicks-focused or Maximize CPC campaign instead of a conversion goal, then track conversions with a third-party tracker or via affiliate platform reports. This way, Google still learns from engagement while you monitor performance externally.

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Thank you so much. so I want to be friends with you. I am Roman from Czech, but I am living in Greece. How about you?

Roman b said:

Hi, nice to meet you. You are posting in google ad?

Click to expand...

Hi! Yes i advertise on google ads.

thebeastnetwork said:

Without site access, you won’t be able to set up Google Tag Manager or conversion tracking directly, which hurts optimization. You could try running a clicks-focused or Maximize CPC campaign instead of a conversion goal, then track conversions with a third-party tracker or via affiliate platform reports. This way, Google still learns from engagement while you monitor performance externally.

Click to expand...

Yes, I already set it to maximize clicks, not conversions, but the problem is that Google Tag Manager keeps appearing a lot on my dashboard, and my ad performance is poor.

Yes. I am a software engineer. I am going to posting Instagram ads. I am using n8n automation. first I am going to scraping keywords of Tiktok. I am going to use Python(Function node). How should I do?
If you know well, could you tell me about this?

Alantoni said:

Yes, I already set it to maximize clicks, not conversions, but the problem is that Google Tag Manager keeps appearing a lot on my dashboard, and my ad performance is poor.

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have you considered doing a bridge page? that the user clicks through or even can do capture email optionally, and count that as conversion, then redirect through aff link (or if they click no to email entry still redirect thru aff link and can mark conversion).

Alternatively i think you can just uploaded the data on covnersions manually through the google ads api

velinxs said:

have you considered doing a bridge page? that the user clicks through or even can do capture email optionally, and count that as conversion, then redirect through aff link (or if they click no to email entry still redirect thru aff link and can mark conversion).

Alternatively i think you can just uploaded the data on covnersions manually through the google ads api

Click to expand...

Thank you so much. Do you know about n8n automation?

Roman b said:

Thank you so much. Do you know about n8n automation?

Click to expand...

Why are you hijacking this thread with your nonsense?

I feel your pain! Google Ads has definitely become more complex since 2021. The Tag Manager requirement is part of their push for better conversion tracking, but as an affiliate, this can be tricky when you don't own the site.
Here are some potential solutions:
Use a bridge page - Create a simple landing page (even just a redirect page) that you control, where you can install the tag. Then send traffic from there to your affiliate link.
Try "Website traffic" goal instead - While not ideal, this campaign type doesn't require conversion tracking. Focus on optimizing for clicks rather than conversions.
Direct linking alternatives - Some affiliates have success with:
Using the "Display" campaign type (less restrictive)
Adding UTM parameters to track performance
Leveraging call extensions for certain offers
Consider Smart Campaigns - The simplified version of Google Ads might work better for direct linking.
The reality is Google has really cracked down on direct affiliate linking. You might need to adapt by either:
Working with advertisers who provide tracking pixels
Building simple landing pages (can be done cheaply with WordPress)
Exploring alternative networks like Microsoft Ads which are sometimes more affiliate-friendly