Lab: Read the SERP Like an Ads Operator

Objective

Build the habit of predicting query intent and competition before you spend.

Steps

1. Choose 3 queries:
   • high intent (buy/hire/near me)
   • commercial research (best/pricing/compare)
   • informational (how to)
2. For each query, capture:
   • number of ads
   • the top 3 angles (price, speed, trust, location)
   • the landing page type (service page, pricing page, category page)
3. Decide if you should buy this query as a beginner.

Beginner decision rules

• Start with high intent only.
• Avoid informational queries until tracking is stable and you have budget.

Acceptance criteria

• You can explain why the query is expensive or cheap.
• You can state the intent in one sentence.
• You can draft one ad headline that matches the intent.

Next Step

Continue to Ownership and Access Model.