Google Ads in Greece: Search Campaigns Built Around Real Enquiries
Google Ads in Greece runs mostly on Google Search, with most queries typed in Greek script. I build search campaigns for Greek businesses, island operators and exporters that target people ready to enquire, then track every lead back to its source.
Greece- Language
- Greek
- Main search engine
- Google (google.gr)
- Time zone
- EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3), 2.5 to 3.5 hours behind India
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
What Google Ads looks like for Greek businesses
Google is the main search engine in Greece, so paid search is where most buying intent shows up. A campaign here starts with the words people actually type. For many terms that means Greek script. For some terms, people type Greek words in Latin letters, which is called Greeklish. I check both before I build the keyword list, so that no valuable search is missed or wasted.
The business centres of Athens and Thessaloniki have different buyers from the islands and coastal regions. A plumber in Athens and a boat charter on a small island need separate campaigns, separate budgets and separate messages. I plan campaigns by location and by intent, not by one national setting. I also match ad copy and landing pages to the language the searcher used.
What makes Google Ads in Greece different
Greek script first, Greeklish where it matters
Most Greek searches use Greek script, so the keyword list starts there. Some terms, especially brand names and foreign loan words, are typed in Latin letters. I test both forms on each term. Ads and landing pages then use Greek wording that reads naturally, not machine-translated copy.
Tourism runs on visitors who book from abroad
Island and coastal businesses depend on the summer season and on guests who plan trips from other countries. Search campaigns can start in those home markets before the booking window. Budgets can rise before the season and ease off in the quieter months. Ad schedules and language settings follow the traveller, not only the location of the business.
Shipping and export buyers search differently
Greece has a large shipping industry, with specialised B2B buyers in Piraeus and beyond. These buyers search with technical terms and company names, and they often compare suppliers slowly. I use longer search terms, tighter match settings and lead forms that ask for the details a procurement team needs. Olive oil, food and wine exporters follow a similar pattern when they target buyers abroad.
Consent shapes what you can measure
Greece applies the EU GDPR and EU rules on cookies. Analytics and ad tags wait for the visitor's consent. I set up Consent Mode v2 so Google Ads and GA4 can keep modelled data when consent is declined. This means reports show fewer exact numbers than before, and I explain that clearly in every report. For questions on legal duties, a qualified adviser should confirm the details.
How I run Google Ads for Greece
Map the market and the buyers
I start with the business goal. We agree which services, products or regions matter most. I map which buyers are in Athens, Thessaloniki, the islands, or abroad, and which language each group uses to search.
Build the keyword list in Greek and Greeklish
I research both scripts. I check Greek-script terms first, then test Greeklish variants where they show real demand. Negative keywords remove job seekers, wrong locations and unrelated queries from the start.
Structure campaigns around intent
Each campaign answers one kind of need. I group keywords by intent, location and audience. Each ad group links to a Greek-language landing page that matches the search. Campaign names are clear enough for you to read later.
Set up conversion tracking with consent
I track real enquiries. Calls, forms, bookings and quote requests are tagged as conversions. Consent Mode v2 and your cookie banner are configured together, so tracking follows the visitor's choices and stays within the rules.
Tune budgets and report on evidence
I review results on a set schedule. Budgets shift toward the terms and locations that produce enquiries. For tourism, I adjust spend ahead of the season. You receive a plain report on enquiries, cost per enquiry and what I changed, with no promises about results.
First checks for Greece
- Greek-script keyword research completed for every core service
- Greeklish variants tested before being added or excluded
- Conversion tracking set for calls, forms and bookings
- Consent Mode v2 configured alongside the cookie banner
- Google Business Profile complete with Greek and English details
- Campaigns split by city, island or export market
- Landing pages in Greek with a clear enquiry route
- Monthly report showing enquiries and budget changes
Which Greek sectors suit Google Ads
Search ads suit businesses where buyers look for a service at the moment they need it. Tourism and hospitality is a strong fit, especially for hotels, villas, tour operators and island restaurants that take bookings from abroad. Shipping and maritime services use search to reach specialised buyers in Piraeus and other ports, where precise terms matter. Olive oil, food and wine exporters can reach overseas buyers who search for Greek products. Real estate agents, e-commerce brands and professional services in Athens and Thessaloniki use local search to reach people who are ready to call or buy. Each sector needs its own keyword set and its own tracking.
Google Ads in Greece: FAQ
Should Google Ads in Greece be in Greek or English?
Do I need to target Greeklish searches?
How do you track enquiries under GDPR and cookie rules?
Can you run campaigns for visitors before they travel to Greece?
Will Google Business Profile help my Google Ads?
How much should I spend on Google Ads in Greece?
Let's talk about Google Ads in Greece.
If you run a Greek business or sell into Greece and want search ads that bring real enquiries, book a free call with me. We can look at your goals, your sector and whether Greek-script or Greeklish searches matter for your terms.