Skip to main content

How to Use the Google Ads Dashboard App

In this article, we'll show how to display Google Ads information on your digital signs with OptiSigns.

With the Google Ads Dashboard app, it's possible to display near real-time dashboards of information pulled straight from Google Ads. These dashboards are created in Google Looker Studio and can be customized, then communicated throughout the company via digital signage.

Let's get started.

What You'll Need

Accessing Looker Studio and Linking Google Ads Data

In order to get your Google Ads data into the proper format, you'll need to export it to Looker Studio. Start by going to lookerstudio.google.com and logging in with your Google Account.

Now, connect your account as a data source by clicking Create then Data source:

Now click Search Console as your Connector.

You'll need to Authorize Looker Studio to use your Google Ads data, set the Account, then hit Connect.

Once connected, you'll be able to set your data, including which fields and parameters you'd like to include in Looker Studio. Select whichever you'd like to display.

From here, you have two options:

  1. Click Create Report. This will allow you to create and customize your Google Search Console report from scratch. Do this if you want granular control over how your data looks.
  2. Use a Google Ads Overview template. This will allow you to quickly organize your data. Use this if you want your data on screen quickly.

This guide will assume you choose to use a Template. If you choose Create Report, feel free to skip to the next section.

Generating Your Dashboard from a Template

Back out to the Looker Studio homepage, then select Search Console Report.

This will generate a sample report. Click Use My Own Data:

You'll need to Authorize the account. Now, choose the Sites, then the Tables, select the Search Type, then hit Add. This will fill in one area of the Template.

Now, set up the report the way you like it. Then, hit Share, and make sure the report is set to Public:

This allows it to be set up, and is necessary for it to display.

Creating Your Google Ads Dashboard App

Once you have your report set up the way you'd like to display it, click Edit:

Now go to File → Embed report.

Now you should be on the Embed Report screen. Click Enable embedding, then make sure it is displaying an Embed Code. Change your Width and Height to match the resolution of the display you plan to use as a digital sign - we generally recommend 1920x1080 if you're unsure - then click Copy to Clipboard.

Next, go to the OptiSigns portal. Go to Assets → Add Asset → Apps.

Select Google Ads Dashboard:

Now you can set up your Google Ads Dashboard app:

  • Name - The name of your Google Ads Dashboard asset. This is for organizational purposes within OptiSigns only and will not display on your screens.
  • Embed Code - The Embed Code you retrieved a moment ago should be pasted into this field.
  • Update Interval - How often OptiSigns will ping your Embed URL to update the data displayed on it. This is measured in seconds.
NOTE
The Preview at this stage may display oddly. This is ok. We recommend pushing your Google Ads Dashboard app to a real screen for proper testing. Afterward, we can come back to this and alter the Width and Height elements if they need adjusting.

Now, hit Save. You'll have created a Google Ads Dashboard app.

Deploying a Google Ads Dashboard App

You can deploy your new Google Ads Dashboard app as an individual asset, or as part of a Split Screen.

To get your new Google Ads Dashboard asset to a screen, go to the Screens tab, then click the screen you want to assign it to.

This brings up the Edit Screen tab:

Here, select Asset under Content type, then hit Change next to Selected Asset.

Then, select your created Google Ads Dashboard Asset:

Now hit Save. Your Google Ads Dashboard asset will now display on screen. 

NOTE
You may need to alter the Width and Height on the Embed Code to get it to display exactly the way you want it. Be sure to push it to the intended screen first to test it - the Preview sometimes looks odd.

You can also deploy it as part of a split screen, allowing you to show other assets at the same time. See how in our Split Screen app article. It can also be displayed in a Playlist or Schedule.

That's all!

If you have any additional questions, concerns or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com.

Was this article helpful?
Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本語 Nederlands Português Svenska