Google Ads and Google AdWords are the same product. In July 2018, Google rebranded Google AdWords to Google Ads to better reflect the expanded range of advertising options beyond just search.
Why the Name Changed
When AdWords launched in 2000, it exclusively offered keyword-based text ads in Search results. Over the years it expanded to include Display Ads, YouTube Ads, App Ads, Shopping Ads, and more — making "AdWords" outdated.
What Google Ads Offers Today
- Search Campaigns — text ads in search results
- Display Campaigns — banner ads across websites
- Shopping Campaigns — product listing ads with images
- Video Campaigns — ads on YouTube
- App Campaigns — promote your mobile app
- Performance Max — AI-driven campaigns across all channels
What This Means for You
If you encounter resources referencing "Google AdWords," they're talking about the same platform. The underlying concepts, bidding strategies, and campaign structures are identical — just under a newer name.