How to Use Google Ads Detection in GoHighLevel

In this guide you will learn how to use the Prospecting tool in GoHighLevel to detect businesses running Google Ads, just like organizing tasks in ClickUp but focused on lead generation data. Following these steps will help you quickly identify high-intent prospects that are already investing in paid traffic.

The Google Ads Detection feature scans search results and business listings to show you which companies are actively advertising. You can then add them to your prospecting list and begin targeted outreach directly from your GoHighLevel account.

What Is GoHighLevel Google Ads Detection?

The Google Ads Detection feature in GoHighLevel is part of the Prospecting tool. It allows you to search for businesses in a specific location and see whether they are currently running Google Ads for keywords you choose.

This is useful because companies paying for ads are more likely to:

Have marketing budgets already allocated.
Understand the value of leads and conversions.
Be open to agency services, funnels, or optimization offers.

By combining location, keyword, and ad status filters, you can build a targeted list of prospects and save time compared to manual research.

Prerequisites for Using GoHighLevel Prospecting

Before you start using Google Ads Detection inside GoHighLevel, make sure you have:

An active GoHighLevel account with access to the Prospecting tool.
Permissions to view and manage prospecting data in your agency account or sub-account.
Basic information on your target market, including niche, keywords, and locations.

Once these pieces are in place, you can begin running searches and adding qualified leads to your pipeline.

Step-by-Step: Accessing the GoHighLevel Prospecting Tool

Follow these steps to reach the Google Ads Detection feature:

Log in to your GoHighLevel agency or sub-account dashboard.
From the main navigation menu, locate the section that includes lead generation or prospecting tools.
Open the Prospecting module. This is where search, filters, and detection options are available.
Inside the Prospecting module, look for options related to Google search or Google Ads insights. The detection feature is bundled there.

After accessing this area, you are ready to configure a new search using keywords, geography, and ad status filters.

Setting Up a Google Ads Detection Search in GoHighLevel

The core of the Google Ads Detection feature is the search configuration. Each search is built from a few simple parameters.

Choose Your Location in GoHighLevel

Start by selecting the geographic area you want to target. Typical options include:

City or town.
State, province, or region.
Country-level targeting for broader searches.

Defining a location helps GoHighLevel focus on businesses that actually serve the area you want to reach.

Select Keywords for Google Ads Detection

Next, enter the primary keywords your prospects would likely bid on. For example:

“dentist near me” for dental practices.
“roof repair” for roofing contractors.
“personal injury lawyer” for legal services.

Use a small set of focused keywords rather than long lists. This helps GoHighLevel return cleaner data and makes it easier to understand which terms are generating ads.

Enable the Google Ads Filter in GoHighLevel

Once your location and keywords are set, enable the filter that shows businesses running Google Ads. The feature typically allows you to:

See only businesses that have active ads.
Compare organic results with paid results.
Identify businesses not yet advertising for specific terms.

This filter is the heart of Google Ads Detection because it separates active advertisers from non-advertisers in your niche.

Reviewing Google Ads Detection Results in GoHighLevel

After you run a search, GoHighLevel will display a table or list of businesses matching your criteria. Each result typically includes:

Business name and website URL.
Location and contact information where available.
Information indicating whether Google Ads were detected.

Carefully review this information before adding prospects to your list to ensure they are a good fit for your services or outreach campaign.

Understanding the Google Ads Status Column

The results view often includes a column or tag that indicates ad status. Common interpretations include:

Ads Detected — GoHighLevel identified active Google Ads for the searched keywords.
No Ads Detected — No active Google Ads were found for those terms at the time of the search.

You can use this status to segment your prospecting efforts. For example, businesses with active ads might be pitched optimization or funnel services, while businesses without ads could be offered a full advertising setup.

Adding Prospects from Google Ads Detection Results

Once you have reviewed the list of businesses, the next step is to add qualified leads to your pipeline.

In the results list, select one or more businesses that match your target profile.
Use the available checkboxes or selection tools to mark each lead you want to save.
Click the option to Add to Prospects or similar, depending on your GoHighLevel interface.
Assign these prospects to a specific list, campaign, or user if the tool prompts you.

After saving, these leads will appear in your prospect list, where you can manage follow-ups, notes, and outreach sequences.

Best Practices for Using GoHighLevel Google Ads Detection

To maximize results from the Google Ads Detection feature, keep these best practices in mind:

Start with a narrow niche: Focus on one industry and a small set of keywords to refine your approach.
Test multiple locations: Run the same set of keywords across different cities or regions to identify the best-performing markets.
Segment your messaging: Create different outreach angles for businesses with ads versus those without.
Update searches regularly: Google Ads status can change, so re-run searches periodically to refresh your data.

Working this way helps you use GoHighLevel as a repeatable lead generation engine instead of a one-time research tool.

Automating Outreach After Google Ads Detection in GoHighLevel

After prospects are added, you can leverage the broader CRM and automation capabilities to engage them.

Assign prospects to a pipeline stage and track progress.
Trigger email or SMS sequences targeted to advertisers or non-advertisers.
Set tasks and reminders for follow-up calls.
Record notes about each conversation to keep your team aligned.

By combining detection, prospecting, and automation, GoHighLevel helps you build a unified system for finding and closing clients.

Reference and Additional Resources

For the official product documentation and the most up-to-date interface details, review the original guide on the GoHighLevel Help Center: How to use Google Ads Detection in the Prospecting tool.

If you want expert help implementing prospecting systems, funnels, and automation with this platform, you can also visit Consultevo for consulting and done-for-you services.

With these steps and best practices, you can confidently use Google Ads Detection inside GoHighLevel to find better-qualified prospects, tailor your offers, and scale your outreach in a predictable way.

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GoHighLevel Google Ads Detection Guide