How to Check Google Ads From Any Location in 2026

If you run Google Ads campaigns targeting multiple locations, you have probably wondered: what do my ads actually look like in London? What about Sydney, or New York? The answer might surprise you. Google personalizes search results and ad placements based on the searcher's location, language settings, device type, and dozens of other signals. Two people searching for the exact same keyword in different cities can see completely different ads, in different positions, with different extensions.

For PPC advertisers, this creates a serious visibility problem. You are spending money on ads you cannot verify from your own desk. Google's built-in Ad Preview tool helps, but it has significant limitations. That is where a dedicated SERP simulation tool like SERPulse becomes essential for any serious advertiser.

Why Location Matters for Google Ads

Google's ad auction is not global. It runs independently for every single search query, and location is one of the most important factors that determines which ads appear. Here is why location has such a massive impact on your ads:

Geotargeting and Bid Adjustments

Most advertisers set location-based bid adjustments. You might bid 20% higher in high-converting cities and 30% lower in regions with poor ROI. These bid modifiers directly affect whether your ad wins the auction in a given location. An ad that shows consistently in Manchester might never appear in Edinburgh, even with the exact same keyword and ad copy.

Local Competition Varies Wildly

The competitive landscape for Google Ads changes from city to city. A keyword like "emergency plumber" might have three advertisers in a small town but twenty in a major metro. More competition means higher CPCs, different ad positions, and sometimes your ad gets pushed off the first page entirely. Without checking from each location, you are flying blind.

Ad Extensions Are Location-Dependent

Location extensions, call extensions, and sitelinks can all behave differently based on where the searcher is. If you have multiple business locations, Google will show the nearest one. Your call extension might show a local number in one area and your main business line in another. These variations affect click-through rates and conversion rates significantly.

Local Inventory and Shopping Ads

For ecommerce advertisers running Shopping campaigns, Google may display local inventory ads that show nearby store availability. These ads look completely different depending on the searcher's proximity to your physical stores. If you are not checking from the right locations, you will miss whether these high-converting ad formats are showing up correctly.

The Limitations of Google's Ad Preview Tool

Google provides the Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool inside Google Ads. While useful, it has several drawbacks that limit its effectiveness for serious PPC management:

• Only shows your own ads. You cannot see competitor ads, organic results, or the full SERP layout. This makes competitive analysis impossible.
• Limited location granularity. While it supports city-level targeting, it does not always reflect the hyper-local variations you would see in actual search results.
• No screenshot or export capability. You cannot save or share what you see, making it difficult to create reports for clients or stakeholders.
• Does not show the real user experience. The preview is a diagnostic tool, not a true simulation of what a real searcher would see in their browser.

How to Check Google Ads From Any Location Using SERPulse

SERPulse lets you simulate a real Google search from any country, language, and device. You see the complete search results page including organic results, paid ads (top and bottom), Shopping ads, featured snippets, and everything else Google displays. Here is how to use it:

Step 1: Enter Your Target Keyword

Start by typing the keyword you want to check into the SERPulse search bar. This should be the exact keyword you are bidding on in your Google Ads campaign. For example, if you are running ads for "best running shoes," type that in.

Step 2: Select the Target Country

Choose the country you want to simulate your search from. SERPulse supports over 190 countries, so whether you are checking ads in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, or Brazil, you are covered. The country selection affects which Google data center serves the results, just like a real user in that country.

Step 3: Set the Language

Language settings influence which ads Google shows. A Spanish speaker in the United States sees different ads than an English speaker searching for the same thing. Select the language that matches your campaign targeting to get accurate results.

Step 4: Choose Your Device

Toggle between desktop and mobile to see how your ads appear on each device. This is critical because Google often shows different ad formats, different numbers of ads, and different extensions on mobile versus desktop. Many advertisers are surprised to find their ads look great on desktop but are missing key extensions on mobile.

Step 5: Analyze the Full SERP

Once you run the search, SERPulse displays the complete search results page. You will see your ads (if they are showing), your competitors' ads, organic results, featured snippets, and every other SERP feature. Pay attention to your ad position, which extensions are showing, and how your ad copy compares to the competition.

Tips for PPC Advertisers

Here are practical tips to get the most out of location-based ad checking:

Check Your Top Markets Regularly

Make it a weekly habit to check your ads from your top five to ten target locations. This helps you catch issues quickly, such as ads not showing due to budget depletion, disapproved ads, or competitors outbidding you in specific markets.

Compare Mobile and Desktop Side by Side

Run the same search on both mobile and desktop for each location. You will often find discrepancies in ad extensions, positioning, and even whether your ad shows at all. Use this insight to adjust your device bid modifiers.

Monitor Competitor Activity

Unlike Google's own preview tool, SERPulse shows you the entire SERP including all competitor ads. Track which competitors appear in different markets, what ad copy they are using, and how their positioning changes over time. This competitive intelligence is invaluable for refining your own strategy.

Verify New Campaigns Immediately

Whenever you launch a new campaign or make significant changes to targeting, run a quick check from each target location. Catching problems on day one saves budget and prevents wasted spend on misconfigured campaigns.

Use Location Data to Optimize Bids

If you notice your ads consistently appear in position three or four in a high-value market, consider increasing your bid adjustment for that location. Conversely, if you are dominating position one in a low-value area, you might reduce bids there to reallocate budget more effectively.

Start Checking Your Ads From Any Location Today

Location-based ad verification is no longer optional for serious PPC advertisers. With ad spend increasing every year and competition intensifying across markets, you need to know exactly what searchers see when they type your keywords. Guessing is not a strategy.

SERPulse makes it effortless to simulate Google searches from any country, language, and device. See the full SERP, check your ad positions, spy on competitors, and make smarter decisions about your campaigns. Try it free today and see what your ads really look like around the world.