1. Snickers – "You're not you when you're hungry"
Snickers converted misspelled search queries into a comedy but a brilliant PPC campaign. By targeting those who typed misspelled words, it made people laugh and recall the brand. This PPC instance indicates how humor generates clicks and brand remembrance.
Why it's effective:
Used humorous misspelled search queries as a play.
Targeted popular typos such as "recipes" or "weird."
Demonstrated common, humorous ads to result in significant engagement.
An example of PPC with emotional pull achieves better recall.
2. Converse – "Domaination" campaign
Converse entered the PPC scene with a genius micro-content strategy. Rather than ordinary ads, it entertained young people with fun keyword-driven microsites. This innovative PPC example demonstrated how creativity can beat massive budgets.
Why it's effective:
Built microsites pointing to popular topics.
Reached more than 600,000 visitors on a tight $100,000 budget.
This PPC example confirms that creativity beats budget constraints.
Lumin Skincare perfected personalization for PPC through data-informed ad extensions with discounts that cater to audience demand. This explicit and engaging ad approach turned clicks into repeat customers, an ideal PPC example of strategy and empathy converging.
Why it's effective:
Personalized messaging is a highly effective converter.
Utilized promotion extensions for "50% off clearance."
Spoke directly to men's skin issues.
This PPC instance boosted repeat purchase intent.
4. Butternut box – Increasing search real estate
Pet food company Butternut Box leveraged ad extensions to take up more SERP real estate, combining clear CTAs and multiple links. This action doubled their CTR and established brand credibility. It's a PPC example that confirms visibility tightens trust.
Why it's effective:
Ad extensions drove visibility and CTR.
Having several clickable items within one PPC ad.
Built interactive navigation even on search results.
Demonstrates how extended formats are engaging.
5. Kleenex – "Catches colds"
Developed a preemptive PPC campaign that made it identify flu outbreak areas ahead of the competition. Its advertisements showed up where the masses needed tissues.
Why it's effective:
PPC targeting based on predictions is pure magic.
Utilized geo-targeting in the vicinity of flu-hit areas.
Boosted sales by predicting flu outbreaks.
A data analytics and empathy-mixing PPC example.
6. UNIQLO – Digital + Outdoor integration
UNIQLO blended offline and online advertising with PPC campaigns that promoted real-life interactions. Their omnichannel concept converted digital clicks into store visits. This PPC example excelled at a consistent brand experience.
Why it's effective:
Blended PPC with real-life activation.
Google campaigns and digital billboards invited engagement.
Got 1.3M video views, 35K new customers.
An effective omnichannel PPC example for hybrid marketing.
7. Peer Software – Targeted B2B search
This B2B PPC campaign demonstrated the strength of cross-platform targeting. Peer Software broadened its advertising from Google to Bing, reaching IT professionals worldwide. It's an example of strategic diversification using PPC.
Why it's effective:
Multi-platform targeting opens up more opportunities.
Both Google and Bing PPC combined for IT audiences.
Applied pain-point messaging to ads.
Delivered a 128% conversion boost.
8. CSUN University – Optimizing for CPA
California State University, Northridge, turned its high ad spend into high returns. Smart A/B testing and audience pruning cut costs by half. This PPC example shows optimization is about precision, not just promotion.
Why it's effective:
Budget focus and A/B testing perfection.
Excluded non-converting audience segments.
Reduced cost per acquisition by 50%.
A PPC example proving testing saves spending.
9. Gayhurst school – Regional target accuracy
Gayhurst School needed to increase regional enrollments and utilized geo-targeted PPC campaigns on Google and Facebook. Their advertisements took local parents directly to admission pages. This PPC example is an instance of local intent done correctly.
Why it's effective:
Geo-targeting offers high ROI for local PPC.
Mixed Google Search and Facebook PPC ads.
Generated 289 leads, 41% CTR, and record admissions.
Best PPC example for localized service promotions.
10. MOZ – Engaging professionals via search
Moz employed PPC to reach out to professionals in search of SEO knowledge. Strategically targeted ads drove guides and resources directly in line with user intent. This education PPC example helped illustrate the best converting content.
Why it's effective:
Offering aligned content with user intent.
Educational resources were promoted via ads using PPC.
High-quality score enhanced ad performance.
A PPC illustration connecting SEO education to lead generation.
11. TUI Holidays – Experience-driven copy
TUI Holidays employed engaging, sensory-based PPC copy to immerse customers in the holiday experience. Their emotionally engaging ads fueled seasonal bookings. It's a PPC illustration that combines storytelling and conversion science.
Why it's effective:
Emotional triggers boost click-through.
Applied sensory-rich destination ad copy descriptions.
Delivered seasonal jumps in travel bookings.
Traditional PPC illustration that marries imagery with persuasion.
12. Zuto – Financial trust through PPC
Zuto, an auto finance brand, earned credibility through placing Trustpilot ratings in its ads. This openness enhanced click trust and confidence among users. It's a compelling PPC example demonstrating how reviews drive conversions.
Why it's effective:
Embraced credibility and transparency.
Included Trustpilot ratings in ads outright.
Generated strong loan applications online.
This PPC example testifies to the fact that trust is a conversion currency.
13. Savorly – Niche PPC perfection
Savorly found a niche market for gourmet appetizers and constructed its PPC efforts on long-tail, intent-driven keywords. Result: CTR explosion. This PPC example demonstrates niche focus beats broad targeting.
Why it's effective:
Micro audience focus equals high conversion.
Narrow keyword focus, such as "gourmet appetizers."
Increased CTR and repeat customer ratio.
A great PPC example for niche eCommerce.
14. L'Oréal – In-market targeting
L'Oréal's PPC ads blended machine learning and trend data to pre-forecast customer interest ahead of launch. Through blending video and search formats, they tapped into new markets. This PPC example reimagines predictive advertising.
Why it's effective:
Blended data signals with trends.
Applied PPC data to forecast demand for new launches.
Blended video search ads in campaigns.
Excellent PPC example combining machine learning optimization.
15. OpenAI ChatGPT – Brand humanization
OpenAI used PPC to make AI accessible through relatable storytelling. Rather than technical jargon, ads portrayed real everyday use cases. This modern PPC example shows empathy-driven marketing wins attention and trust.
Why it's effective:
Story-driven PPC achieves connection, not just clicks.
Highlighted the everyday value of AI, not futuristic tech.
Spread across search and YouTube with precision targeting.
A modern PPC example blending empathy and innovation.
Conclusion
These inspiring PPC examples reveal that success depends on strategy, not given budgets. Everyone from Kleenex to Converse has practiced intent-based content marketing in a geo-targeted way, and each PPC example has a lesson you can replicate. It is about understanding intent, building a compelling journey from ad to convert, and succeeding.
Take these PPC examples and use them as a template to test, optimize, and improve your own campaigns.
