Avatar photo Alex Thompson
|
Jun 24, 2024
Interface showing Google Ads setup for phone call conversions, linking Google Tag Manager and Ads icons.

"Why does my data look different in Google Ads?"

Maybe you've found yourself (or your client) asking the same question when comparing conversions in WhatConverts and Google Ads.

So, what's the big deal?

First off, this disparity doesn't necessarily mean there's an error involved with either platform. So don't rush off to change your settings just yet.

Instead, it's usually caused by one of two problems:

  1. Difference in reporting on click date vs. conversion date
  2. You haven't reached the call extension click threshold

Problem #1: Click Date vs. Conversion Date

One of the most common causes for data discrepancies in WhatConverts vs. Google Ads comes from when a conversion is counted.

Within WhatConverts, it's when the conversion takes place. For Google Ads, it's when the click happens, not the conversion.

So for instance, let's say someone clicked on your Google Ad two weeks ago but made a call (i.e., converted ) just yesterday. Since the click took place two weeks ago, it wouldn't show up as a conversion in this week's reporting in Google Ads. But it would show up in this week's WhatConverts reporting since that's when the conversion happened.

As you can see, the data isn't so much wrong on either platform. It's just a different way of deciding when to count it.

What You Can Do About It

Add the Conversions (by conv. time) or All conv. (by conv. time) column to your Google Ads reporting to see when conversions (not clicks) take place.

 

Conversions (by conv. time) shows only primary conversion actions (which impact your bidding) and All conv. (by conv. time) shows all conversion actions, including secondary actions that don’t impact your bidding.

Google Ads campaign dashboard highlighting different conversion time options.

Problem #2: You Haven't Reached the Call Extension Click Threshold

This is a sneaky one.

Have your call extension leads errored out when sending them to Google? The culprit is likely that your ad's call extension hasn't met a hidden click threshold yet.

Before Google Ads will replace your call extension number with their own (which lets them track call extension conversions in their reporting), your call extension needs to bring in a certain number of clicks.

The general consensus among advertisers is that this hidden click threshold is:

  • 20-50 clicks per month to start swapping your WhatConverts tracking number with a Google tracking number
  • 10-20 clicks per month to maintain that threshold

If your ad group's call extension does not meet that threshold, you'll likely see call extension leads inside WhatConverts that you won't see inside Google Ads.

If you are having this problem, you may see an error message under the "Google Ads Conversion" column (see below) and your WhatConverts number not being swapped out in your ad's call extension.

A data table displaying Google Ads conversions with an error highlighted for one entry.

If you see an error message like this, be sure to hover your cursor over it to get an explanation of why the error is occurring.

Important Note

If you’re seeing errors with call extension leads, be sure you have Call Reporting enabled in your Google account. This may also return errors similar to those above.

Settings page in Google Ads with "Call reporting" turned on.

Need Help?

Our support team is happy to help troubleshoot any misaligned conversion issues.

Get in touch today and we’ll walk you through it.

Read WhatConverts reviews on G2

Avatar photo
Alex Thompson

Alex Thompson is a professional copywriter and content writer with a passion for turning complex ideas into digestible, educational content that keeps readers engaged. He specializes in content marketing, SEO, and B2B marketing.

Get a FREE presentation of WhatConverts

One of our marketing experts will give you a full presentation of how WhatConverts can help you grow your business.

Schedule a Demo
Monthly marketing spend:
Total number of monthly leads:
Total monthly sales value:
ready to get marketing clarity?

Grow your business with WhatConverts

14 days free trial Easy setup Dedicated support
G2 Users Love Us Badge
G2 High Performer Badge
G2 High Performer Small Business Badge
G2 Momentum Leader Badge
G2 High Performer Europe Badge