7 Beginner PPC Books to Build Your Advertising Skills

Discover beginner PPC books written by leading experts like Andy Gelder and Corey Rabazinski, offering clear guidance for newcomers.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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Every expert in PPC started exactly where you are now—curious but cautious about where to begin. The world of pay-per-click advertising might seem like a complex maze at first, but the beauty of PPC lies in its accessibility and the steady learning curve it offers. Whether you're a small business owner, an aspiring marketer, or a curious entrepreneur, starting with the right books can make all the difference.

These carefully selected books are authored by professionals who have navigated the PPC landscape extensively. Their practical insights and step-by-step guidance cut through jargon and confusion, helping you grasp core concepts like keyword research, campaign setup, and ad optimization. Their experience spans platforms from Amazon to Google Ads and social media, providing a well-rounded foundation for anyone eager to get started.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized PPC book that meets them exactly where they are. This approach ensures you build confidence efficiently without feeling overwhelmed, setting you up for ongoing success in PPC advertising.

Best for ecommerce sellers starting PPC
Andy Gelder is a seasoned expert in Amazon PPC advertising, helping sellers optimize their campaigns and maximize profits. With years of experience in digital marketing, he has guided numerous businesses to success on the Amazon platform. His beginner-friendly approach in this book reflects his dedication to making Amazon advertising accessible and effective for newcomers seeking to launch and scale their PPC efforts confidently.
2021·52 pages·PPC, Advertising, Marketing, Amazon Advertising, Keyword Research

Andy Gelder draws from his extensive experience in Amazon PPC advertising to offer newcomers straightforward guidance in this concise manual. You’ll learn essential skills such as keyword research, proper campaign setup, and continuous optimization to avoid common costly mistakes that drain profits. The book breaks down how to identify underperforming keywords and scale campaigns effectively, making it practical for sellers wanting to start right and grow confidently. If you’re new to Amazon advertising and need clear, no-frills instruction on managing PPC campaigns, this book provides a solid foundation without overwhelming jargon.

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Best for new Google Ads learners
Corey Rabazinski is an expert in digital marketing and PPC advertising, known for his practical approach to teaching Google AdWords. With years of experience in the field, he has helped numerous businesses optimize their online advertising strategies. His insights are valuable for both beginners and seasoned marketers looking to enhance their skills.
2015·63 pages·Online Advertising, AdWords, PPC, Marketing, Advertising

Corey Rabazinski’s expertise in digital marketing shines through in this approachable guide to Google AdWords, designed specifically for newcomers. The book breaks down the platform’s mechanics and demystifies campaign management by presenting an eight-step blueprint that businesses of any size can follow. You’ll gain practical skills like launching profitable PPC campaigns and optimizing existing ones, with clear examples illustrating key strategies. If you’re just starting with pay-per-click advertising and want a straightforward, no-frills introduction that skips jargon, this book aligns well with your goals. However, seasoned advertisers seeking advanced tactics might find it too basic.

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Best for clear 30-day plans
This AI-created book on PPC fundamentals is written based on your beginner background and specific learning goals. You share what PPC topics you want to focus on, your current experience level, and the pace that feels right for you. The book then matches your needs with a clear, step-by-step 30-day plan designed to build your confidence and avoid overwhelm. It’s crafted to help you grasp PPC basics smoothly and efficiently, making it easier to start your advertising journey.
2025·50-300 pages·PPC, PPC Fundamentals, Keyword Research, Campaign Setup, Bid Management

This tailored book explores the fundamentals of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising with a progressive and personalized approach designed specifically for beginners. It covers essential concepts such as keyword research, campaign setup, and ad management, focusing on building confidence through a clear and manageable 30-day learning plan. By matching the content to your background and learning pace, the book removes overwhelm and allows you to progress comfortably at your own speed. With targeted foundational lessons and hands-on guidance, it reveals the core principles of PPC while keeping your specific goals and interests at the heart of the experience.

Tailored Guide
PPC Learning Path
1,000+ Happy Readers
Mike Armstrong is a marketing expert with extensive experience in web advertising and social media strategies. He has helped numerous businesses enhance their online presence and drive sales through effective advertising techniques. With a focus on practical advice and actionable strategies, Mike empowers you to navigate the complexities of digital marketing successfully, making this book a great starting point for newcomers eager to launch their first PPC campaigns.
2021·112 pages·Advertising, PPC, Online Advertising, Social Media Ads, Google AdWords

What makes this book approachable is how Mike Armstrong breaks down the complex world of social media and Google advertising into manageable strategies that anyone can follow. Drawing from his extensive marketing expertise, Armstrong guides you through the essentials, from crafting compelling Facebook Ads to choosing the right placements and understanding consumer behavior online. The book includes practical insights like identifying unique selling points and leveraging emerging platforms like TikTok, making it a useful primer for those stepping into paid advertising for the first time. If you want to grasp the basics of PPC without feeling overwhelmed, this guide offers a clear path forward.

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Best for hands-on Google Ads beginners
Anya Gildner cofounded Discosloth, a paid search and optimization firm that serves clients including Volvo and AirTreks. Featured in the New York Times and Inc Magazine, she brings hands-on expertise and a passion for teaching to this guide, designed to make PPC accessible for first-time learners. Her experience running training sessions for corporate and university audiences informs the clear explanations and practical focus found throughout the book.
2019·112 pages·Online Advertising, PPC, Google Ads, Campaign Management, Keyword Research

What started as a practical need to demystify Google Ads for newcomers became a clear, approachable guide authored by Anya Gildner. Drawing on her experience cofounding Discosloth and working with major clients like Volvo, she breaks down complex PPC concepts into manageable lessons on keyword research, campaign building, and conversion optimization. You’ll find chapters dedicated to analytics and automation that prepare you for current and future trends in PPC. This book suits anyone ready to build confidence with Google Ads without feeling overwhelmed by agency jargon or technical overload.

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Best for Amazon PPC novices seeking quick mastery
This guide stands out by simplifying Amazon's PPC advertising platform specifically for those just starting out. It breaks down keyword research methods, campaign structures, and essential tactics to set up and refine ads on Amazon. The book’s straightforward approach helps you tackle common challenges like budget issues and low conversions, making it an excellent resource if you’re looking to gain confidence with Amazon’s sponsored ads and want a practical roadmap to improve your product sales effectively.
2023·74 pages·PPC, Marketing, Advertising, Strategy, Keyword Research

Drawing from his hands-on experience with Amazon's advertising platform, Dan Moody presents a clear, approachable guide for newcomers to Amazon PPC. You’ll learn concrete skills like keyword research tailored for Amazon products, campaign setup including broad, phrase, and exact match types, and how to interpret and refine campaign data effectively. The book also addresses common pitfalls such as low conversions despite high clicks, offering practical fixes. If you want to demystify Amazon’s PPC system and confidently build campaigns that perform, this concise manual walks you through each step without overwhelming jargon.

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Best for personal action plans
This custom AI book on keyword targeting for PPC is written based on your current skills and the specific areas you want to focus on. You share your background, comfort level, and goals, allowing the book to be created to suit your learning pace perfectly. By tailoring the content to your needs, it helps you build confidence gradually without feeling overwhelmed, making keyword research and campaign targeting approachable and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·PPC, Keyword Research, PPC Essentials, Campaign Targeting, Bid Management

This tailored book explores practical keyword research and targeting techniques specifically for pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. It offers a carefully crafted learning journey designed to match your background and skill level, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. The content focuses on building your confidence progressively, removing overwhelm by concentrating on essential foundational topics before advancing to more detailed keyword strategies. By focusing on your interests and addressing your specific goals, this personalized guide helps you grasp how to identify, evaluate, and apply keywords effectively within PPC campaigns. It reveals ways to refine your targeting for better ad performance and budget use while respecting your pace and learning style.

Tailored Guide
Keyword Optimization
3,000+ Books Created
Best for small business PPC starters
With nearly a decade managing over $100 million in digital ad spend, Sophie Louise Fell brings deep expertise as Head of Paid Media at Two Trees PPC. She’s distilled years of trial, error, and success into this accessible guide, making complex Google Ads concepts approachable for newcomers. Sophie’s hands-on experience running campaigns for a diverse range of clients—from solo entrepreneurs to large brands—shines through in her clear explanations and practical advice. Whether you’re a small business owner or marketer, her approachable style helps you grasp PPC fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed.
2024·66 pages·PPC, AdWords, Marketing, Advertising, Strategy

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To PPC offers a straightforward entry point into Google Ads, crafted by Sophie Louise Fell, who brings nearly a decade of hands-on experience managing over $100 million in ad budgets. You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of setting up campaigns, mastering keywords, and optimizing your ads with clear explanations and practical examples, including a jargon buster that helps demystify PPC terminology. Chapters on advanced Google Ads features and troubleshooting campaign issues provide depth beyond the basics, making this book well-suited for small business owners and marketers eager to build confidence without getting overwhelmed. If you want a no-frills, approachable guide that reflects real-world expert know-how, this book delivers.

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Best for small business owners new to PPC
"Growing your business with online paid advertising" offers a clear, beginner-friendly introduction to pay-per-click advertising. Yeasin Kabir Shifat focuses on the essentials you need to get started, from keyword selection to campaign optimization, making it an accessible resource for newcomers. This book breaks down advertising concepts into manageable steps, helping you target customers effectively and improve your marketing results. It's aimed at small business owners and marketers looking to build a solid foundation in PPC without getting overwhelmed by technical details.
2023·68 pages·Online Advertising, Advertising, PPC, Strategy, Keyword Research

What started as a need to simplify digital marketing for newcomers became Yeasin Kabir Shifat's approachable guide to pay-per-click advertising. You’ll learn foundational skills like keyword research, crafting compelling ads, and optimizing campaigns to improve your return on investment. The book walks you through tracking results and refining your strategies with real-world examples that clarify what often feels complex. Whether you're a small business owner eager to boost online visibility or a marketer sharpening your PPC know-how, this book offers a straightforward entry into paid advertising without overwhelming jargon or assumptions.

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Beginner PPC, Tailored to You

Build confidence with personalized PPC guidance without overwhelming complexity.

Targeted learning paths
Clear step-by-step
Boosted campaign skills

Thousands of beginners started their PPC journey with tailored learning

PPC Launch Blueprint
Keyword Mastery Code
Campaign Start System
PPC Confidence Formula

Conclusion

These seven books share a common thread: they’re designed to make PPC approachable without sacrificing depth. They emphasize foundational skills like crafting effective ads, understanding platforms, and measuring results—all crucial for building your confidence and competence.

If you’re completely new to PPC, starting with books like "Google AdWords for Beginners" or "The Beginners Guide to Advertising on Amazon" will ground you in essential concepts. For those ready to progress, titles such as "The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To PPC" offer more nuanced strategies to refine your campaigns. Each book acts as a stepping stone, equipping you to move forward with clarity.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized PPC book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Remember, building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in the dynamic world of pay-per-click advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Google AdWords for Beginners" for a straightforward introduction to PPC basics. It breaks down key concepts clearly, making it easier to build your confidence before moving on to more specialized books.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to PPC?

No, each book is selected for beginners and written to guide you step-by-step. For example, "The Beginners Guide to Advertising on Amazon" avoids jargon to keep concepts accessible for newcomers.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with general introductions like "Growing your business with online paid advertising," then progress to platform-specific guides such as "The Beginner's Guide To Google Ads" and "2023 Amazon PPC Blueprint" for targeted skills.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on books that balance up-to-date content and clear teaching. The "2023 Amazon PPC Blueprint" offers fresh insights, while foundational guides like "Google AdWords for Beginners" remain relevant for understanding core PPC principles.

Will these books be too simple if I already know a little about PPC?

Some books, like "The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To PPC," include advanced sections and troubleshooting tips, making them useful even if you have basic PPC knowledge but want to deepen your skills.

Can I get a PPC book tailored to my specific needs and learning pace?

Yes! While these expert-authored books cover broad beginner topics, you can create a personalized PPC book that matches your background, focus areas, and goals for a customized learning experience.

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