How to integrate Google Ads into HubSpot

By Jakob Böld on Aug 19, 2025 12:58:46 PM

How to integrate Google Ads into HubSpot

Learn how integrating Google Ads with HubSpot can take your marketing to the next level.

Why Integrating Google Ads and HubSpot Makes Sense

Integrating Google Ads with HubSpot offers numerous benefits for businesses. First, it enables a seamless connection between your paid advertising campaigns and your CRM platform, making lead tracking and analysis significantly easier.

Second, the integration helps marketing and sales teams work more effectively together because all relevant data is centralized in one place. This leads to greater efficiency and ultimately better business results.

How to Integrate Google Ads with HubSpot

To integrate Google Ads with HubSpot, you first need to ensure that you have active accounts for both platforms. Log in to your HubSpot account and navigate to the settings area.

Select "Marketing" and then "Ads." Click "Connect Account" and follow the instructions to link your Google Ads account. Once the connection is established, you can manage and analyze your Google Ads campaigns directly within HubSpot.

If you need assistance with the setup, we would be happy to support you as an experienced performance marketing agency during a free initial consultation.

Common Challenges When Integrating Google Ads with HubSpot

Although the Google Ads and HubSpot integration can technically be set up within just a few minutes, companies often encounter similar challenges in practice.

Missing User Permissions and Access Issues

One of the most common causes of integration problems is insufficient user permissions. In many cases, the connection between Google Ads and HubSpot is assigned to an employee, agency, or external consultant who simply does not have the required access rights.

A successful integration requires the appropriate administrator or account permissions in both HubSpot and Google Ads. Particularly in larger organizations, marketing teams, IT departments, and external agencies often have different levels of access. As a result, accounts may be visible but cannot be connected or managed.

Before starting the setup, you should verify the following:

  • Who is the administrator of the Google Ads account?
  • Who has Super Admin permissions in HubSpot?
  • Is the Google account being connected to HubSpot actually associated with the correct Google Ads account?
  • Are there any restrictions caused by Google Manager Accounts (MCC)?

In many projects, the technical setup is completed within minutes once the right people have access to both systems.

Incomplete or Incorrect Conversion Tracking

Another common challenge is incomplete tracking. Simply connecting Google Ads and HubSpot does not automatically guarantee accurate conversion data.

Companies should ensure that:

  • Forms are properly tracked as conversions
  • Offline conversions are sent back to Google Ads
  • The Google Click Identifier (GCLID) is stored correctly
  • Landing pages and forms are properly connected to HubSpot

If any of these components are missing, attribution gaps can occur, causing campaigns to be optimized based on incomplete data.

Different Data Models and Attribution Models

Many companies are surprised when Google Ads and HubSpot report different conversion numbers. In most cases, this is due to the fact that both platforms use different attribution models.

For example, Google Ads may attribute a conversion directly to an ad click, while HubSpot often evaluates the entire customer journey, including organic visits, email marketing interactions, and direct traffic.

As a result, the numbers do not necessarily have to match. What matters most is understanding the differences and establishing a consistent reporting framework. A skilled Google Ads agency can help align these reporting perspectives.

Poor CRM Data Quality

The quality of your reporting depends directly on the quality of your CRM data. Duplicate contacts, missing fields, and outdated records often lead to inaccurate audience segmentation and unreliable reporting.

Especially for companies that have been using HubSpot for several years, a CRM data cleanup is highly recommended before integrating Google Ads. Based on our experience as a HubSpot agency, cleaner data leads to more reliable reporting and enables better marketing decisions based on trustworthy information.

Lack of Alignment Between Marketing and Sales

The biggest challenge is often organizational rather than technical. Google Ads generates leads, HubSpot manages contacts, and the sales team handles follow-up activities. When these departments are not aligned, a significant portion of the potential value is lost.

The integration becomes particularly powerful when sales outcomes are fed back into marketing. This allows campaigns to be optimized not only for leads but also for actual opportunities, customers, and revenue.

This closed feedback loop—commonly referred to as closed-loop reporting—is one of the greatest benefits of integrating Google Ads with HubSpot.

If you would like support with your Google Ads and HubSpot integration, feel free to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team.