If the Google Ads costs in Looker Studio don’t match the Ads Dashboard, this can be due to various factors. Furthermore, currency conversion and timezone differences play an important role. Additionally, invalid clicks may be deducted retroactively. In this article, we explain why Google Ads costs in Looker Studio differ and how to clarify the discrepancies.

Why Don’t Google Ads Costs in Looker Studio Match?

First of all, timezone differences between Google Ads and Looker Studio can cause discrepancies. When Google Ads costs in Looker Studio don’t match, this is often due to different date groupings. Moreover, Google deducts invalid clicks retroactively, which reduces costs in Ads. Therefore, you should first align the timezones of both tools. For more details, see our guide on combining Ads and GA4.

How to Reconcile Google Ads Costs in Looker Studio

First, you should set the timezone in the Looker Studio report to match your Google Ads account timezone. Additionally, it helps to use the same date range in both tools. Furthermore, you should note that Google Ads deducts invalid clicks only after several days. According to Google Ads Help, small discrepancies with recent data can be normal.

Our Recommendation

If the Google Ads costs in Looker Studio don’t match, you should systematically check timezones and date filters. Moreover, we recommend waiting at least three days before comparing costs, since invalid clicks are only deducted with a delay. Additionally, you should clear the cache in Looker Studio. This way, you prevent Google Ads costs in Looker Studio from showing incorrect values.

Conclusion

In summary, cost discrepancies between Google Ads and Looker Studio are usually due to timezones and retroactive adjustments. Need help? Our Looker Studio service team is happy to assist.