Complete Guide: Connecting Google Ads to RSI

Overview

This guide walks you through the complete process of connecting your Google Ads account to RSI (Red Spot Interactive) to enable comprehensive campaign tracking and optimization. After proper setup, you’ll be able to:

• Track ad campaigns to revenue by UTM detail through RSI reporting
• Send conversion goals (appointments, charges/payments) directly back to Google Ads for improved optimization
• Pull impression data from Google Analytics into RSI for complete campaign analysis
• Attribute leads accurately to specific campaigns and ad groups

Why Google Analytics Integration is Critical

RSI creates a bidirectional data flow:

• Outbound: RSI sends offline conversion data back to Google Ads for optimization
• Inbound: RSI pulls impression data from Google Analytics for comprehensive reporting

This is why your Google Ads account must live within the same Google Analytics account provided to RSI—it ensures seamless data synchronization across all platforms.

Prerequisites (Complete Before Starting)

✅ 1. Account Information for RSI

Provide these details to your RSI Account Manager:

• Your Google Ads Account ID
• Google Analytics Property ID (GA4)
• Complete Domain List for all campaign landing pages

✅ 2. Google Analytics Setup Requirements

• Google Ads must be under the provided Google Analytics account
• Link Google Ads with Google Analytics
• Ensure both use the same GA4 Property ID

Important: RSI can only integrate with one unique Google Ads account per client account.

Why This Matters

RSI pulls impression data from Google Analytics and sends conversion data back to Google Ads. Having both platforms under the same Google Analytics account ensures complete, accurate data flow for full campaign analysis.

✅ 3. RSI Campaign Setup

• Create RSI campaigns that exactly match your Google Ads campaign names
• Names are case-sensitive
• Follow the RSI Campaign Builder Guide

✅ 4. Lead Integration Setup

Choose one integration method:

• Zapier Integration – Best if you already use Zapier
• JavaScript Plugin – Best if you have form editing access
• External Webhook – For custom integrations

Step 1: Account Linking Process

Required Information for RSI Account Manager

• Your Google Ads Account ID
• Google Analytics Property ID
• Complete domain list

Client Account Linking Steps

1. In Google Ads: Go to Accounts → Performance → Link Existing Account
2. Link to RSI using Google Ads Account ID: 381-072-4097
3. RSI accepts the linking request
4. Verify link in both platforms

Critical: Your Google Ads account must be under the same GA Property ID provided to RSI.

Step 2: Configure Google Ads Settings

A. Enable Auto-Tagging

1. Go to Settings → Account Settings
2. Enable Auto-tagging

B. Set RSI Tracking Template

Go to Campaigns → Settings → Additional Settings → Campaign URL Options Add this tracking template:

{lpurl}?utm_campaign={_campaign}&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content={_adgroup}&utm_term={keyword}&rsiCampaignId={_rsiCampaignId}>

This captures campaign, ad group, keyword, and RSI campaign ID.

Step 3: Campaign-Level Custom Parameters Setup

Critical Requirement: Exact Name Matching

• Google Ads campaign name MUST match RSI campaign name exactly
• Case-sensitive

Adding Custom Parameters

1. Go to your campaign
2. Open Settings → Additional Settings → Campaign URL Options
3. Add Custom Parameter:

_rsiCampaignId=12345

Parameter name must be _rsiCampaignId. Note: The _campaign parameter is auto-populated by Google Ads.

For Video Campaigns

Apply settings at the Ad Group level. Smart Campaigns are not supported.

Step 4: Create Conversion Actions in Google Ads

Purpose

Enable RSI to send conversion data back to Google Ads for optimization.

Setup Process

1. Go to Tools & Settings → Measurement → Conversions
2. Create New Conversion Action → Import
3. Select “Other data sources or CRMs”
4. Select “Track conversions from clicks”
5. Skip data source setup

Required Conversion Names (Exact Spelling)

Form Lead Conversions:

• RSI Form Lead Scheduled
• RSI Form Lead Attended
• RSI Form Lead Purchased

Call Lead Conversions:

• RSI Call Lead Scheduled
• RSI Call Lead Attended
• RSI Call Lead Purchased

Settings for Each Conversion

• Goal Category: Qualified Lead
• Value: Do not use a value
• Count: One
• Attribution Model: Data-driven

RSI imports conversions automatically during nightly sync.

Step 5: Testing and Verification

Verify Setup

• Use Google Ads “Test” button for tracking templates
• Check RSI dashboard for campaign data
• Verify conversions appear after leads come in

Troubleshooting

• Campaign names mismatch → ensure exact spelling
• Custom parameters not working → verify placement & format
• Conversions missing → confirm exact conversion names
• No data → ensure auto-tagging is enabled

Quick Reference Checklist

• RSI campaigns match Google Ads campaign names
• Lead integration set up
• Google Analytics linked to Google Ads
• Google Ads linked to RSI account ID
• Auto-tagging enabled
• RSI tracking template added
• Custom parameters added
• Six conversion actions created
• Testing completed
• Ongoing monitoring established