Every ad contains a URL displaying your website address. You can add two optional path fields to the display URL in a text ad. What’s an advantage of using these optional path fields?

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Lata Bala

how path fields help in Google Ads

Every ad contains a URL displaying your website address. You can add two optional path fields to the display URL in a text ad.

What’s an advantage of using these optional path fields?

  • To match an appropriate landing page with the search term that triggered the ad
  • To allow the Google Ads system to anticipate what content is present on the landing page
  • To give users an idea of the content they’ll see upon clicking the ad
  • To give users more options over which landing page they want to navigate to

The correct answer is:
✅ To give users an idea of the content they’ll see upon clicking the ad

Google Ads Search Certification

Full Breakdown: Why correct and other incorrects?

Why correct?

In Google Ads text ads, your display URL shows your domain name and can optionally include two “path fields” (up to 15 characters each).
These paths don’t have to exactly match your actual landing page URL — they are there to enhance clarity and relevance for users.

Example:

  • Real landing page: www.example.com/products?id=12345
  • Display URL with path fields: www.example.com/shoes/running

Even though the technical URL is complex, users see a simple, meaningful path telling them that clicking will take them to Running Shoes.

Efficiency benefit:
The ad becomes more relevant, more appealing, and can increase CTR because users have clear expectations about where they’ll land.

❌ Why the other options are incorrect:

OptionWhy Incorrect
To match an appropriate landing page with the search term❌ No — path fields only change how the URL looks, not which page the ad points to.
To allow Google Ads to anticipate landing page content❌ No — Google analyzes the actual landing page content, not the path fields.
To give users more options over landing pages❌ No — Clicking the ad still sends users to one single landing page you define; no multiple options offered via path fields.

Real-life examples:

  • Restaurant Ads:
    Display URL: www.fooddelivery.com/pizza/deals
    ➔ Users expect pizza deals when they click!
  • Travel Agency Ads:
    Display URL: www.travelsite.com/europe/tours
    ➔ Users know they’ll see European tours, not general content.
  • Online Retail Store:
    Display URL: www.electronicsstore.com/laptops/gaming
    ➔ Users clearly know they’re heading to gaming laptops section.

Summary:

FeatureCorrect?Reason
✅ Gives users an idea of landing page contentYesHelps set clear expectations and improves CTR
❌ Matches landing page to search termNoPath fields are for display purposes only
❌ Helps Google anticipate landing page contentNoGoogle crawls real landing page, not display URL paths
❌ Offers multiple landing page optionsNoOnly one landing page per ad

Additional Resources:

Conclusion:

Adding optional path fields to your Google Ads display URL is a smart way to enhance ad clarity and increase user trust.
When users know what to expect, they’re more likely to click — and that can mean higher CTR, better Quality Score, and improved Ad Rank.

✅ Clearer display = ✅ Happier user = ✅ Better campaign results!

FAQs:

Q: Can I use emojis or special characters in path fields?
A: No. Google Ads path fields must use standard alphanumeric characters and hyphens only.

Q: Do path fields have to match the real URL structure?
A: No. They’re optional display enhancements and do not need to match actual URL folders.

Q: How long can each path field be?
A: Up to 15 characters per path field.

Now, if you are ready, then you take the Google Skillshop test for the Google Ads Search Exam. If you want more questions about the Google Ads Search Certification Exam, follow.