Google Ads Introduces Channel Performance Reporting in Performance Max

Google announced its latest improvement to its Performance Max campaigns - deeper insights into channel performance. These insights will allow our Paid Search specialists optimize campaigns and achieve better results for our clients.

Top 3 Takeaways from Google’s Performance Max Update

1. Channel-Level Insights: You can now view how each Google channel (Search, YouTube, Display, etc.) contributes to your ad performance— giving us the ability to optimize creative for each channel

2. Full Search Terms Visibility: Access to detailed search term reporting lets you refine targeting and creative to better align your ads with customer intent.

3. Deeper Creative Analytics: Get performance data on individual ad assets so you know exactly which visuals and messages drive results.

Channel-Level Performance Reporting

Channel-level performance reporting in Performance Max will allow digital advertisers to see how their campaigns perform across different Google platforms, including Search, YouTube, Display, Gmail, Discover, Maps, and Search partners. This will allow our team to identify which channels are driving conversions and create strategies to improve lower-performing channels. While the reporting will break down each channel’s performance, you cannot opt out of running ads in a specific channel or allocate more/less budget to a specific channel. 

Enhanced Search Terms Reporting

Performance Max does not currently use keywords to serve ads. While that is not changing, they are giving advertisers more information around the keywords consumers are searching that trigger Performance Max ads. This will allow us to improve our negative keyword strategy (another recent enhancement of Performance Max Campaigns) to exclude irrelevant traffic and improve ad copy to better match customer intent.

 

Detailed Asset Reporting

Google is now sharing more data on how each asset used in the Performance Max asset group is performing. Having a better understanding of the CTR and which assets are converting will help your digital agency create high-performing assets that resonate with your target audience. 

Diagnostic Tools for Optimization

Google has also rolled out diagnostic tools to help identify issues affecting specific channel performance. Having this tool will allow quicker identification and a faster solution to get ads back up and running as planned.  

What’s Next

While Google announced these updates, they are not fully available in all ad accounts. Green Line Automotive aims to optimize our digital automotive strategies, improve customer engagement, and drive better business outcomes. We look forward to implementing these tools for our Automotive Paid Search clients and sharing our experiences in future updates.

 

What Google’s Q1 2025 Algorithm Updates Mean for Auto Dealers

Did you notice dips in your organic search traffic to your dealership website in Q1? Google’s latest algorithm updates made a big impact that will require you to adjust your current SEO strategy. Here’s a breakdown of what changed — and what it means for dealerships like yours.

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1. Local Intent Signals Are Stronger Than Ever

Google is placing even more emphasis on hyperlocal signals to serve users better. For dealerships, this means:

• Having accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details across the web is critical.
• Google is prioritizing businesses with strong local citations, user-generated content (like reviews), and proximity-based relevance.
• “Near me” searches are even more tailored to real-time location and user intent, so Local SEO matters more than ever.

What you should do: Ensure your Google Business Profile is fully optimized, frequently updated (our Google Posting Tool can help!), and packed with high-quality photos and features, current sales and service offers.

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2. Content Quality and Topical Authority

Google’s March 2025 Core Update focused heavily on content usefulness and topical depth. Thin, repetitive content is being de-ranked in favor of in-depth, informative, and well-structured material.

For dealerships, this means it’s no longer enough to list cars and prices — your site should answer:

• What are the benefits of leasing vs. buying this model?
• How do hybrid and EV models compare?
• What maintenance tips apply to your vehicle lineup?

What you should do: Build out useful and updated content that addresses real customer questions  — FAQs, vehicle comparisons and backend structured data will help your content go further. Our Content Marketing for Automotive approach helps separate you from the competition. 

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3. Page Experience Updates (Especially Mobile)

Google’s updated Page Experience signals now place more weight on mobile usability, page speed, and interactive elements. Clunky, outdated dealership websites are likely to lose ground to faster, mobile-first competitors.

What you should do:

• Optimize for fast load times, especially on mobile.
• Make CTAs (like “Book a Test Drive” or “Get Financing”) easy to tap and not blocked by other website features such as Chat tools.
• Ensure that inventory search and form submissions are easy to use on phones.
• Reduce intrusive interstitials, such as pop-ups, to encourage faster load times and fewer layout shifts.

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4. AI-Generated Content Scrutiny

As AI-generated content floods the web, Google has refined its algorithm to favor content that shows clear signs of human oversight and expertise.

What you should do: Even if you're using AI tools to help generate content, review and personalize it. Add real dealership insights, customer stories, and photos from your actual location to build trust and authority.

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5. Video and Visual Search Integration

Video results are showing up more often in mobile search and Google Discover. Google’s AI is also better at understanding video content context.

What you should do: Create short videos highlighting your vehicle features, dealership tours, or service center tips. Post them on YouTube, embed them on your site, and optimize titles and descriptions with local keywords. You can also use these videos in your paid digital media as well! Google Performance Max campaigns also support YouTube short video content. 

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Key Takeaways

The Q1 2025 Google updates focus on authenticity, user intent, and localized relevance. For auto dealerships, that means it’s time to:

• Refresh your content strategy
• Polish your local SEO
• Enhance mobile experiences
• Show real human value behind your digital presence

Want to make sure your website ranks well in 2025? Contact us today for a free digital audit or schedule a meeting to learn more about our Search Engine Optimization strategy. 

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Green Line Automotive Becomes Audi of America After Sales Digital Agency of Record

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rolling Meadows, IL- (April 29th, 2025) - Green Line Automotive has been selected as the Agency of Record for Audi of America After Sales Tier One National Digital Media. Green Line created two custom websites, https://audidealeroffers.com/ and https://auditechnicians.com/, and is running paid media to support Audi’s initiatives. 

Green Line Automotive is working with AoA After Sales in two key areas of its business: promoting Audi Dealer Service Offers and assisting Audi Dealerships with their Technician Recruitment efforts. Audi Dealer Offers, https://audidealeroffers.com/, allows Audi Dealers to upload service offers and promotes having Audi owners service their vehicle at an Audi Service Center. Green Line is running biddable media to help promote the website and assist consumers in finding an Audi Dealership close to them as a complimentary Tier One strategy to what individual Audi Dealerships are running. 

The Audi Technician Recruitment website, https://auditechnicians.com/, has a main goal of collecting technician applications of varying skill levels and serving as a resource for participating dealerships to fill open technician roles. Green Line is running regional ads on Meta to drive traffic and applications to the site.

“The team at Green Line is so excited to be a Tier One partner for another great brand. Working with Audi of America After Sales to develop and promote these sites has been wonderful. We are happy to be a part of such great resources to their Dealerships and to the Audi consumers,” said Brent Rogers, Vice President and Managing Partner of Green Line Automotive.

Green Line Automotive provides industry-leading insight on digital marketing efforts, specifically tailored to each client’s needs. From strategies such as SEO, SEM, Display, Social, Video & First Party Data Integrations, there are multiple avenues for every dealership to engage with their target audience.

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About Green Line Automotive
Green Line Automotive is a digital advertising agency created for automotive dealerships. Our mission is to deliver tier-one automotive advertising expertise, technology, and service to tier-three dealers. We give you an advantage over your competition by giving every dealership the best in technology, coupled with a fully customizable approach.

For more information on GREEN LINE AUTOMOTIVE:

See our premier services at gldauto.com such as Automotive Search Engine Optimization or contact us at info@greenline.nyc or 833-GLD-CARS.

https://www.facebook.com/greenlinedigitalauto
https://www.instagram.com/greenlinedigitalauto
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-line-digital-auto/

Performance Max Vehicle Ads: Is feed only still relevant?

Best practices for Performance Max Vehicle Ads (also known as VLAs) continue to evolve as Google rolls out new updates and functionality. At Green Line Automotive, we’ve been testing different campaign structures to find what drives real results for dealerships.

Lately, our focus has been on comparing Feed-Only campaigns to Feed + Asset campaigns. Here’s what we’ve seen:

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Feed-Only Campaigns

Pros:

• Excellent for generating low-cost VDP views
• Lower CPCs
• High impression volume

Cons:

• Lower CTRs due to broader reach
• Lower conversion rates — traffic often comes from casual shoppers rather than ready-to-buy customers
• Lower leads and phone calls, increasing Cost Per Lead

If your goal is to maximize visibility and get more eyes on your inventory, feed-only campaigns can deliver. However, visibility alone doesn’t always lead to sales. It’s crucial to work closely with your paid search team to ensure that the clicks are translating into actual showroom traffic and sales.

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Feed + Assets Campaigns

Pros:

• Higher conversion rates
• Lower Cost Per Leads
• Increased calls and leads

Cons:

• Higher CPCs
• Requires ongoing monitoring to maintain quality 

As of April 2025, our recommended approach is to run Performance Max campaigns with both feed and assets enabled. This setup consistently outperforms feed-only structures, particularly when your goal is to drive qualified leads and real-world conversions.

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Final Thoughts

As with all things digital, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal setup may vary depending on your market, budget, and inventory. But based on our testing across multiple dealerships, Feed + Asset campaigns are currently the most effective way to drive results with Performance Max for automotive.

Need help dialing in your VLAs? Learn more about our Paid Search services and schedule a meeting to talk strategy.

Utilizing Paid Social for After Sales Marketing

After Sales is a large profit center for any automotive dealership and should not be forgotten about when it comes to digital marketing. Paid Social is a great place to have a presence for After Sales to stay top of mind of current customers and reach more potential customers.

Green Line's approach for promoting After Sales on Paid Social is to drive awareness and engagement of the Online Service Scheduler tool or form fills and service promotions to corresponding owners. Below are some key ad types for different objectives, ad formats and audiences.

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Doing Social Differently

• In-platform management for a hands-on management backed by budget automation.
• A/B testing, utilizing top available ad format offerings, and optimizing based on targets rather than vanity metrics.
• Install Relevant Meta Pixels including: Remarketing, Service Scheduler and Call Tracking
• Take advantage of all data available and tailor it down to the last stitch.

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Objective: Awareness

Optimization: Impressions
Ad Format: Single image or video ads
Audience options: Owners of dealership make or customer lists

Running awareness ads is a great entry point to After Sales digital marketing on Paid Social. Because you are optimizing for Impressions, the CPM (cost per thousand impressions) is usually very low, which allows your budget to go further. With this ad type, we would recommend a message that reinforces convenience or savings.

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Objective: Website Traffic

Optimization: Link Clicks
Ad Format: Single image or carousel ads
Audience options: Broad, predictive targeting

Drive potential customers to your website service scheduler or service specials with web traffic campaigns. You can also exclude recently serviced customers from this campaign to conserve budget and ensure relevant targeting.

Increase customer engagement by using creative that highlights:

• Low-cost oil changes
• Seasonally relevant tune-ups
• Same-day / same-week service availability
• Guaranteed service loaner vehicles

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Objective: Leads

Optimization: Cost Per Lead
Ad Format: Ads that click to Message
Audience options: Broad, predictive targeting

If your store has dedicated team member(s) to answer Facebook leads, this ad type might be a great way to increase your Schedule Service appointments. Using the chat tool can help remove friction that a customer might experience when trying to schedule a service appointment online. We recommend testing into this ad type if you receive ~50 schedule service leads a week from Paid Social.

 

5 Google Ads Updates You Need To Know for Q1 2025

Navigating Automotive Tariffs: Our Focus on Efficiency & Competitive Strategy

As an advertising agency specializing in the automotive industry, we understand that upcoming tariffs on vehicles and parts are beyond the control of both dealers and agencies alike. While these changes may impact pricing and margins, our commitment to our clients remains the same: driving efficiency, maximizing ROI, and staying ahead of the competition. Now more than ever, dealers need an agency that prioritizes performance over percentage-based fees, ensuring that every marketing dollar is working as hard as possible. Our approach has always been rooted in paid search and paid social best practices, focusing on high-intent buyers and strategic optimizations to maintain an edge in an increasingly competitive market.

In addition to strong digital advertising strategies, having compelling specials and clear calls to action on your dealership’s website will be more critical than ever. Ensuring these offers are updated quickly and efficiently can make all the difference in driving conversions. That’s why Green Line’s DRIVE software, included in our SEO packages, makes it simple to update specials and CTAs seamlessly, keeping your dealership agile in a shifting market.

While external factors like tariffs may create industry challenges, our mission is to ensure that your dealership remains competitive, visible, and profitable—regardless of market conditions. By leveraging data-driven strategies, advanced targeting, and continuous campaign optimizations, we help dealers navigate uncertainty without sacrificing performance.

The automotive landscape is shifting, but our focus remains steadfast: efficiency, transparency, and results.
Let’s continue to drive success together.

Green Line’s Customer Data Platform Now Integrates with Tekion DMS

Green Line Automotive Extends Partnership With Volkswagen After Sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Schaumburg, IL- (February 12th, 2025) - Green Line Automotive has been selected to continue as the Agency of Record for After Sales for Volkswagen of America Tier One National Media. Green Line looks forward to continuing the great work they have been doing with Volkswagen of America (VWoA) After Sales and helping achieve their goals.

Green Line Automotive started its partnership with VWoA Afer Sales in 2022. Green Line works closely with the VWoA team on digital strategy and a full-funnel approach to after-sales marketing, including Paid Search, Programmatic and Paid Social efforts.

“Having the opportunity to work with the Volkswagen team has allowed us to rethink how we manage and approach after-sales marketing, and we are appreciative of the VWoA team for allowing us to test new ideas and get creative,” said Brent Rogers, Vice President and Managing Partner of Green Line Automotive.

Green Line Automotive offers industry-leading insight on digital marketing efforts, specifically crafted to each client’s needs. From strategies such as SEO, SEM, Display, Social, Video & First Party Data Integrations, there are multiple avenues for every dealership to engage with their target audience.

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About Green Line Automotive
Green Line Automotive is a digital advertising agency created for automotive dealerships. Our mission is to deliver tier-one automotive advertising expertise, technology, and service to tier-three dealers. We give you an advantage over your competition by giving every dealership the best in technology coupled with a fully customizable approach.

For more information on GREEN LINE AUTOMOTIVE:

See our premier services at gldauto.com such as Automotive Search Engine Optimization or contact us at info@greenline.nyc or 833-GLD-CARS.

https://www.facebook.com/greenlinedigitalauto
https://www.instagram.com/greenlinedigitalauto
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-line-digital-auto/

Understanding Google's November 2024 Core Update

Google's November 2024 Core Update has made some more changes to how they evaluate and rank search results. Google regularly updates its algorithm to ensure users receive the highest quality content for the best search experience.

This update is just another step in Google's ongoing mission to make sure that genuinely helpful and relevant content gets the spotlight, while low-quality, keyword-stuffed pages fade into the background. This has led to ranking volatility over the last couple of weeks.

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Key Changes and Focus Areas

• Enhanced Content Quality Metrics: Google has emphasized the importance of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness). Websites with in-depth topic knowledge that are trustworthy, made by people who know what they're talking about, are likely to maintain or improve rankings.
• Alignment with Search Intent: Google matches content to search results that best aligns with user intent. This includes favoring websites that provide actionable, clear, and query-specific information over generic or overly optimized pages.
• Demotion of Thin Content: Pages that offer limited value for users or are over-optimized for SEO purposes, including excessive keyword stuffing, may observe a decline in their search engine rankings. Google's algorithm prioritizes content that is both comprehensive and user-friendly.

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Initial Impact on Websites

Websites relying on content created solely for ranking purposes are likely to see a decline in search visibility. However, sites offering well-researched, user-centric content are likely to see improvements. This update reinforces consistency in topical representation and prevents larger publishers from using existing ranking authority to outrank smaller publishers in new categories. These outcomes underscore Google's commitment to user satisfaction over algorithm manipulation.

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Recommendations for Recovery and Core Update Response

Search results are constantly changing as user expectations, search behaviors, and web content evolve. Google emphasizes that websites affected by the update may take several months to recover their rankings as its systems learn and validate improvements. Furthermore, making reactive changes does not guarantee a ranking recovery.

• Conduct a Content Audit: Identify underperforming or thin pages and work to improve their quality. Content should be original and engaging, and it should give users what they're searching for.
• Optimize User Experience: Address technical SEO issues like page speed, mobile-first design, and accessibility. These factors are key to maintaining rankings and encouraging visitors to interact with your content.
• Update Old Content: Complete content refreshes where necessary to remove outdated information on high-performing pages. This is essential to maintain relevance and align with current user needs.
• Build Niche Authority: Establish expertise in specific topics to enhance overall domain credibility. Google has also recently communicated that if a website publishes content that strays too far from its main topic, that content might experience downgraded rankings.

Most importantly, wait until the update is completed before analyzing the ranking impact.

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Long-Term Strategy

Core updates often bring temporary volatility. Don't rush into making changes. Instead, use tools like Google Search Console to track your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Organic Keywords Trend

Here’s an example of a website that focuses on providing a great user experience and valuable content, supported by a holistic, long-term SEO plan, has seen immediate benefits from the update.