Google Ads for Weight Loss Specialists (3 Case Studies & Data)
Last Updated on: 5th July 2025, 02:10 pm
If you run a weight loss clinic or specialise in personalised healthcare, you’ve likely wondered whether Google Ads is even an option for you. Between all the policy restrictions, approval processes, and horror stories about ad disapprovals, it can feel like the door is firmly shut.
But here’s the truth: you can advertise on Google – and do it successfully. You just need to understand how to play by the rules and still get the results you’re after.
In this guide to Google Ads for weight loss and healthcare specialists, I’m sharing results from 3 real campaigns I ran at my Google Ads consultancy:
- Client A (focused on prescription weight loss treatments)
- Client B (weight loss clinic)
- Client C (a cosmetic dentistry practitioner)
These examples will show you how my team and I made Google Ads work in one of the most regulated and competitive niches.
First, Why Are Google Ads So Difficult for Weight Loss Specialists?
Google places very strict rules on what you can say, how you say it, and who you can target when running healthcare Google Ads. It’s for good reason, but for weight loss providers, these rules can feel like a minefield.
I’ve seen many clinics and practitioners who have attempted to launch campaigns themselves, only to be hit with ad disapprovals, account flags, or worse, total account suspensions.
This is where I’ve stepped in with my team to successfully ensure Google Ads healthcare policy compliance.
Key Challenges in Personalised Healthcare Advertising on Google Ads
1. Policy Violations and Sensitive Content Flags
Google classifies weight loss as a “sensitive interest category”, which triggers stricter advertising scrutiny. This means your ads can’t:
- Use language that implies body shaming or unrealistic results
- Promote certain weight loss medications without proper certification
- Offer remarketing (retargeting) for weight loss-related content
2. Remarketing Is Off the Table
If you were hoping to retarget previous site visitors with Google Ads for your weight loss service, you won’t be able to. Google bans remarketing for sensitive health conditions, including weight loss, reproductive health, mental health, and addiction.
3. Pharmaceutical Licensing Requirements in Google Ads for Weight Loss Specialists
If you’re offering prescription treatments like Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Semaglutide, you’ll need to be certified (or work with a certified third party) to ensure your ads are approved.
Google will also ask you to upload documentation to their verification portals.
4. Ad Copy Restrictions in Google Ads for Weight Loss Specialists
Even though your service is legitimate and compliant, Google can still reject ads for the way they’re worded.
For example, you can’t make exaggerated claims (e.g. “lose 10kg fast”), mention conditions (e.g., “obesity treatment” needs to be handled per medical advertising standards), or use fear-based language or promises.
We’ve had to carefully craft ad copy to avoid making exaggerated claims or using non-compliant medical terms.
So What Does This All Mean for You?
If you’re trying to advertise weight loss services on Google, you absolutely need a well-informed strategy.
The platform isn’t off-limits, but you do need to know what’s allowed, what’s not, and how to structure your ads, keywords, landing pages, and even your website to meet Google’s requirements.
Case Studies: How We Overcame Obstacles in Healthcare Advertising
There’s no secret formula. Our success in Google Ads for weight loss specialists relies on 3 vital factors:
- Comprehensive understanding of platform policies – We know which rules apply in your case and how you can meet them to generate ROI from patients who need your help now.
- Strategic keyword management – With over 17 years of experience in Google Ads, I understand your leads’ keyword journeys (and how Google leverages them).
- Meticulous campaign structuring – My team and I refine ad groups so that every type of your ideal patient feels seen and understood in your ads.
Additionally, my team and I have developed expertise in crafting compliant yet compelling ad copy.
Here’s what that looked like in practice:
Case Study 1. Advertising Prescription Weight Loss Treatments on Google Ads (3 Conversions Within the First 8 Days)
Client A offers prescription medications like Mounjaro for weight loss and other treatments, including treatments for erectile dysfunction. When they came to us, they were excited to grow, but immediately hit a wall with Google Ads.
Their campaigns were being flagged for policy violations, and ads simply wouldn’t run.
We stepped in and tackled the situation from multiple angles to deliver the following results:
Step 1. Meeting Google Ads Pharmaceutical Licensing Requirements
One of the first things we did for Client A was help them upload the necessary pharmaceutical certification through Google’s system. This was crucial for promoting medications like Mounjaro, Semaglutide, and Ozempic. Without it, their ads wouldn’t stand a chance.
Thankfully, our client didn’t have to go through the bureaucratic hassle. We handled the Google Ads verification for them from start to finish.
Step 2. Rewriting Ad Copy and Landing Pages to Pass Compliance Checks (and Entice Leads)
We took a deep dive into Google’s rules for healthcare ad copy and rewrote everything to meet compliance while still making it appealing to potential patients. This meant removing sensitive and non-compliant phrases, as well as replacing risky terms with safe, approved alternatives.
We studied competitor ads to find what Google was allowing and how they were promoting, all to make Client A’s ads stronger and more resonant with their ideal leads.
And once the campaigns were live, we ran landing page A/B tests to improve compliance, user trust, and conversions.
Step 3. We Refined Client A’s Keyword Strategy
We completely restructured Client A’s keyword approach after our initial Google Ads audit.
Firstly, we created dedicated ad groups for different search intents (e.g., “weight loss injection” vs. “Mounjaro treatment”). Each prospect would have a different knowledge level, and we wanted to ensure our landing pages were meeting them where they were, so Client A could take them to where they want to be.
Secondly, we added negative keywords to block irrelevant, risky, and budget-draining traffic.
We gave the client and ourselves more control by switching from broad match targeting to more targeted phrase and exact-match keywords. This increased relevance and conversion rates across their campaigns.
When we knew which ads drove the most revenue, we were ready to scale!
We worked with Client A to split their brand and competitor campaigns into separate buckets and implemented portfolio bid strategies to make the most of their ad spend. We also adjusted targeting by age group, income level, and gender to better match their ideal audience.
The Results: Conversions Within the First 8 Days
Within just 8 days of launching the reworked campaigns, Client A saw:
- A high volume of qualified traffic
- 3 solid conversions right out of the gate
- A much smoother approval and launch process
In their words:
“We appreciated your competitively-priced services and top-drawer professional advice. Your in-depth consultations and excellent communication helped immensely!”
Case Study 2. Google Ads for Personalised Healthcare with 66% Lower CPA
Client B, a wellness clinic offering weight loss treatments, ketamine-assisted therapy, and other services, came to us with a familiar story: strict policy violations, poor campaign performance, and limited visibility.
It was time to step in and ensure their Google Ads for weight loss and ketamine therapy worked like a charm!
Step 1. Strengthening Compliance and Messaging
We reworked Client B’s ads from top to bottom to meet Google’s standards around sensitive topics.
That included removing anything that triggered policy red flags, reframing ad copy in a way that stayed human and hopeful (but within compliance), and moving away from the Display Network.
Running healthcare ads on the Google Display Network can lead to issues, including potential fraudulent conversions and calls. We doubled down on the Search Network for Client B’s healthcare advertising since the intent is higher and ad approval is more predictable.
Step 2. Fixing Broken Conversion Tracking in Google Ads for Weight Loss Specialists
We discovered that Client B’s conversion tracking setup was inconsistent, especially in Google Tag Manager.
Some forms weren’t tracking properly, and the data didn’t line up in Google Ads, leaving Client B in the dark regarding the best-performing campaigns.
My team and I audited the entire setup, updated triggers and tags inside Google Tag Manager for Client B, and even considered simpler setups that would offer higher reliability.
In the end, we could see clean, actionable data with clear optimisation pointers for Client B’s PPC campaigns.
Step 3. Improving the Landing Page Experience
Getting clicks is great, but my goal is always to turn them into actual leads.
That’s why I worked with Client B to add credibility markers like practitioner bios, reviews, and clear disclaimers.
We also refined the copy to better match what their ideal customers were searching for, as well as improved mobile usability (vital in healthcare advertising).
The Results: Performance Boosts and 66% Lower CPA
Once everything was live and properly tracked, results came fast. In one example campaign (targeting a big city in the US), Client B saw:
- 14 conversions in a single cycle
- A 66% drop in cost per acquisition compared to the previous month
That’s not just better performance; it’s more cost-effective growth.
Case Study 3. A Cosmetic Dental Practice Generates 35-40 Leads Per Day
Client C (a cosmetic dental practice) wasn’t new to Google Ads, but they knew their results could be better. They came to us with one goal: generate more high-quality dental leads without wasting ad spend.
What followed turned into one of our most successful Google Ads management partnerships to date.
Step 1. Rebuilding the Ad Account
First, my team and I sat down with Client C to rebuild the campaign structure from the ground up:
- Created separate campaigns for different dental services (e.g. veneers, teeth whitening, Google Ads for dental implants)
- Launched dedicated ad groups for high-intent keywords around those treatments
- Split brand terms from generic dental searches to improve targeting
This gave us more control and allowed us to improve Quality Scores for healthcare keywords. Plus, we could fine-tune budget allocation so that more budget went to campaigns that started to deliver high-quality leads.
Step 2. Refining Keywords and Targeting
Client C had a good idea of who their best leads were, which helped us refine keywords and targeting.
We swapped out broad match keywords for exact and phrase match terms. This meant Google was no longer serving Client C’s ads to the people it thought would be interested, but followed our deep understanding of the customer journey in healthcare and dental services.
As is our standard practice, we added negative keywords to avoid wasting spend on low-value traffic.
Finally, we knew higher-end cosmetic treatments resonate with a certain demographic, so we adjusted Client C’s targeting based on location, income level, and other markers.
Step 3. Conversion Tracking that Tells the Full Story in Google Ads for Healthcare
If the data isn’t properly integrated, it won’t clearly point to what you need to improve. With Client C, we made sure that:
- All contact form submissions, phone calls, and offline visits were being tracked as conversions
- Tracking was unified across Google Ads, Google Analytics, and Google Tag Manager
- Call tracking was segmented by service type to measure which treatments were driving the most interest
Finally, even in a niche that’s not as sensitive as weight loss, we still ensured Client C’s copy in ads and landing pages was tested and refined to perfection.
The Results: 35-40 Leads Every Day
Once we had aligned, things started moving. Client C saw:
- The conversion rate jumped from 8.67% to 11.38%
- 35-40 high-quality dental leads per day, consistently
- And in one standout week, we recorded 28 conversions!
No secret formulas. Just smart strategy, better structure, and constant refinement.
Don’t Settle for Less When It Comes to Google Ads for Weight Loss and Healthcare
Seeing conversions within the first week for a weight loss treatment provider. Lowering Cost Per Acquisition by 66% in personalised healthcare. Generating 35-40 high-quality leads every day.
It’s a reality. So if you’ve been told you can’t advertise your weight loss clinic, ketamine therapy, or prescription-based treatments on Google, here’s the truth: you absolutely can – if you know how to navigate the rules.
If you’re a healthcare provider looking to grow your practice through Google Ads, don’t leave it to chance. Work with a partner who understands both the regulations and the ROI.
