How to Use B2B Data in Google Ads Campaigns

How to Use B2B Data in Google Ads Campaigns

How to use B2B data in Google Ads campaigns is a question many SME marketers are asking—especially when budgets are tight and every click needs to count. You may have run Google Ads that brought in traffic, but not the right leads. Or your ads may be attracting companies too small, too general, or simply not your ideal customers.

That’s where clean, well-targeted B2B data comes in. By using Customer Match, you can upload role-specific contacts—think Marketing Directors or Managing Partners—and ensure your ads reach relevant decision-makers. No more guessing. No more wasted ad spend on the wrong audience.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use purchased B2B data to build smarter campaigns, reduce cost per acquisition, and align your ad budget with real buying intent. Whether you’re new to Google Ads or looking to optimise, this guide will help you take control of your targeting.

Table of contents:

    Why B2B Campaigns Need Data-Driven Targeting

    Running a B2B campaign without data-driven targeting is like sending postcards to random addresses—you might get lucky, but chances are you’re wasting money.

    The Limits of Broad Targeting

    • Broad campaigns attract irrelevant clicks from consumers or junior staff

    • Poor targeting leads to low-quality leads and inflated costs

    • Your sales team wastes time chasing dead-end contacts

    The Advantage of Data-Driven Segments

    When you upload segmented B2B contact lists, you can:

    • Serve ads only to your ideal customer profile

    • Build lookalike audiences from your best clients

    • Exclude existing customers or previously uninterested contacts

    The result? Tighter targeting, better ROI, and a sales pipeline filled with real opportunities.

    Step 1 – Set Up Customer Match with B2B Data

    Google’s Customer Match feature lets you upload your own B2B data—such as work emails or phone numbers—to target known contacts across Search, YouTube, Display, and Gmail.

    What Is Customer Match?

    • Upload hashed contact info (emails, phones, etc.)

    • Google matches those records to known users

    • You serve ads directly to confirmed prospects

    Perfect for targeting decision-makers from CRMs, lead lists, or purchased B2B data.

    Who Can Use It?

    You’ll need:

    • A well-established Google Ads account

    • At least 90 days of active history

    • Policy compliance and lawful consent

    Since you’re operating in the UK, be sure your data is lawfully sourced and compliant with GDPR. All our delivered data meets these standards.

    Formatting & Uploading Lists

    • Use a CSV file with emails, phone numbers or postal info

    • Include at least 1,000 records for best matching rates

    • Refresh lists regularly to maintain performance

    Upload under Tools & Settings → Audience Manager—Google will hash and match automatically.

    Step 2 – Build Smart Audiences Using Your B2B Data

    Once uploaded, you can segment, expand, and refine your audiences in Google Ads.

    Lookalike (Similar) Audiences

    Let Google find users similar to your best contacts:

    • Scale outreach without losing relevance

    • Reach new firms you may not have considered

    • Maintain intent-driven targeting

    Exclusion Audiences

    Save budget by excluding:

    • Existing customers

    • Contacts who didn’t convert

    • Low-fit segments or competitors

    Segment by Role or Firmographics

    Create tailored audiences for:

    • Specific industries

    • Company size or turnover

    • Job titles like Operations Manager or Marketing Director

    Each segment can then be used for campaigns with custom messaging and offers.

    Step 3 – Structure Campaigns for B2B Success

    Content alone isn’t enough—your campaign structure matters.

    Intent-Driven Keyword Strategy

    Use funnel-based keywords:

    • TOFU: e.g. “how to improve lead generation”

    • MOFU: e.g. “best B2B data providers”

    • BOFU: e.g. “buy B2B data for marketing”

    Match each stage with relevant messaging or offers.

    Granular Campaign & Ad Group Structure

    • Separate campaigns by industry, role, or solution type

    • Use tight keyword themes to improve quality score

    • Adjust bids and copy per audience for better optimisation

    Tailored Ad Copy & Landing Pages

    • Use language your audience understands

    • Call out their pain points (“avoid bounce rates with targeted data”)

    • Use landing pages with industry-specific testimonials or proof points

    Aligned messaging increases conversions and builds trust.

    Step 4 – Track, Optimise & Maintain Performance

    Ongoing monitoring and refinement are essential for lasting results.

    Track the Full Funnel

    Set up tracking for:

    • Form submissions

    • Phone calls or quotes

    • CRM-qualified leads and demo bookings

    If your sales process is offline or call-based, import offline conversions from your CRM.

    Refresh and Maintain Your Lists

    Data decays fast. Keep in good shape by:

    • Refreshing Customer Match lists every 3–6 months

    • Removing bounced or unsubscribed contacts

    • Cleaning any fading or low-performing segments

    Test Audiences & Messaging

    Run tests to refine:

    • Job titles that deliver best responses

    • Segment performance variations

    • Messaging tone—ROI vs time-saving

    Use insights to improve and scale your campaigns.

    Why Choose Results Driven Marketing

    At Results Driven Marketing, we deliver more than just data—we offer meaningful support to help your campaigns perform from day one.

    • Accurate, GDPR‑compliant B2B data segmented by job role, industry, and company size, ready for immediate upload

    • Campaign-ready formatting matched to Google’s upload requirements

    • Human support and advice on segment selection, customer matching, and campaign structure

    • Proven results with UK SMEs looking for better ROI and quality leads

    We care deeply about your success. Not just clicks—but conversions.

    Final Thoughts

    If you’re still asking how to use B2B data in Google Ads campaigns, here’s the bottom line: targeting the right people starts with using the right data. When your campaigns are built around clean, segmented lists of decision-makers, ads become relevant, budgets work harder, and conversion rates improve.

    From Customer Match setup to lookalike audiences and structured targeting, your B2B data gives you the precision your campaigns need. Not broader. Not noisier. Smarter.

    If you’re not getting the results you want from Google Ads—or if you feel your data isn’t being used effectively—let’s rethink the strategy.

    Need help sourcing high-quality data or setting up your next campaign? Contact us today or explore our email lists to get started.


    Results Driven Marketing
    Helping UK businesses go from bad data to better leads.
    📍 Based at Cobalt Business Exchange, Newcastle
    📞 0191 406 6399
    🌐 rdmarketing.co.uk

    Knowledge Hub

    What Data Fields Are Included in B2B Lists? Explained Simply
    Jul 26, 2025
    What Data Fields Are Included in B2B Lists? Explained Simply
    What’s the ROI of Using B2B Data? A Practical Breakdown
    What’s the ROI of Using B2B Data? A Practical Breakdown
    What to Ask Before Buying B2B Data: 7 Smart Questions
    What to Ask Before Buying B2B Data: 7 Smart Questions
    What’s a CTPS Checker and Why Use One? Explained Simply
    What’s a CTPS Checker and Why Use One? Explained Simply
    tick