No, You Can’t “Buy” Your Way to the Top of Google

There is some confusion understanding the differences between Google Guaranteed Business Listings, Google Ads, and Google Search Results. Many business owners believe that by paying for Google Ads or by getting a Google Guaranteed badge, they are guaranteed a top spot in the search results.

This is a common mindset, and unfortunately, it isn’t true.

While these tools can be valuable for visibility and lead generation, nothing can guarantee top rankings in search results. Let’s break down the differences between Google Ads, Google Guarantee, and organic SEO and explain why there are no shortcuts to dominating Google’s search rankings.

Google Ads vs. Organic Rankings vs. Google Guarantee

Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning businesses bid on keywords to have their ads appear at the top of search engine results pages. Just like your website needs to be optimized with keywords and relevant information to show up higher in the search results, your ads also need to be optimized for your industry and your service offerings in order to compete with other businesses in your industry. While the competitive aspect is similar to organic SEO, Google Ads rankings are different from Google Organic SEO rankings. Here’s why:

Ads are temporary, organic rankings aren’t.

Ads and SEO both have an important role to play in maintaining your online presence. One key difference between the two is that ads only run as long as you’re paying for them. If you cancel your ads for any reason, you lose all the visibility that came with them. Organic SEO isn’t completely hands off, either. Your site must be maintained in order to keep your business competitive and fighting for higher search rankings, BUT, as long as you have a website, it will continue to appear somewhere in the search results.

Summary: If you stop paying for ads, your business stops appearing in the sponsored section. Organic rankings on the other hand will continue to drive traffic long-term if maintained properly.

Organic results are more trusted. 

Studies show that some searchers scroll past paid ads and prefer organic results, perceiving them as more trustworthy. In this study by Backlinko, 65% of users clicked on at least one organic search result, while just 19% clicked on an ad result. A strong ad strategy will increase the number of clicks you see, but organic SEO just can’t be beaten when it comes to consistently attracting users!

Organic search results are weighted on many different factors: site authority, content quality, meta data, user traffic statistics, and many many more. There’s a reason that SEO management is a full time job! Users may tend to prefer websites that show up in the search results over websites that appear in the ad results because they see high ranking sites as having more authority and trustworthiness.

Summary: Users tend to gravitate toward organic search listings over sponsored ad listings. A good ad strategy can help overcome ad avoidance.

Anyone can pay for ads or a guaranteed badge.

If getting to the top of Google was as easy as paying for it, everyone would do it! If you run your own Google ads, then you know that you aren’t the only business out there trying to secure a spot in the ads rankings. When multiple businesses are bidding on the same keyword, costs can skyrocket, making paid ads expensive without necessarily yielding top positions.

While Google Ads can drive traffic, conversions, and brand awareness, they do not directly impact your organic ranking. There may be a small indirect effect, but the only way to improve organic SEO is with diligent website optimization and updates. Google has a distinct algorithm for organic search that cannot be bypassed by ad spend. Both paid and organic traffic play an important role in your marketing – check out our article How Can Paid Advertising Help Improve Your Organic Digital Marketing to learn more!

Summary: You’re paying to get to the top of the ad results… so is everyone else! Ads are competitive and there’s no guarantee your business will show up first.

Organic and Paid Traffic Both Matter

No matter what your search strategy is, organic or paid, Google’s algorithm will always prioritize the user experience. This means that Google will show the best answer to a search query, not just the answer with the most ad spend behind it. 

One thing that a paid strategy and an organic strategy have in common is that they both require regular upkeep to see the best return. All the money in the world won’t matter if your ads or your website are irrelevant, confusing, or misleading. SEO is a long-term investment that requires ongoing effort. No amount of money can “buy” authority or trust from Google. Businesses that attempt to game the system—through excessive ad spend, keyword stuffing, or spammy link-building—often face penalties or wasted budgets with little return.

What is the Best Marketing Strategy for YOUR business?

While Google Ads and a Verified Business listing are valuable tools for marketing, they do not guarantee your website a spot at the top of the search results. Organic SEO rankings are earned through consistent SEO efforts, quality content, and user engagement.

So, How can you push your business to the top of the search results? Rather than searching for a quick fix, focus on sustainable strategies that build long-term visibility and credibility. The businesses that succeed in Google’s rankings are those that invest in content, optimize their websites, and provide real value to users.

Find Strategic Marketing Services

If you’re ready to talk marketing strategy, Desert Creative Group is ready for you! 

We offer paid and organic marketing services that are designed to help your business see long-term success. Contact us today to book a no-obligation consultation and see how we can help create a marketing strategy that will move your business forward.