Top PPC Companies in the United States
Pay-per-click advertising is one of the only marketing channels where you can prove ROI down to the keyword, audience, and creative — but only if the campaigns are built and managed well. The strongest U.S. PPC agencies combine platform certifications (Google Ads, Microsoft, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok) with the analytical chops to actually optimize: bid strategy, audience structure, creative testing, landing page alignment, and attribution.
Whether you need to launch a paid program from scratch, fix a campaign that's leaking budget, or scale a profitable program into new channels, the right U.S. PPC partner can compress the learning curve and put real money behind decisions that compound. Clutch helps you compare top U.S. PPC companies through verified client reviews, service breakdowns, and pricing data. Filter by budget, industry, and platforms, and explore related directories:
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 94 projectsAdVenture Media is a highly-regarded digital advertising agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns, Google Ads, and overall paid media strategies. Their clients consistently commend them for their strategic approach, with 100% of reviewers highlighting measurable improvements in campaign performance and lead generation. Their expertise in cost-per-click (CPC) and online ad campaigns is noted, along with their professionalism and ease of collaboration.
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 365 projectsDisruptive Advertising is a digital marketing agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click advertising, Google Ads, and Search Engine Marketing. Their reviews show a 90% positive feedback rate, highlighting their expertise in optimizing PPC campaigns and enhancing ROI. Clients appreciate their personalized approach, strategic insights, and reliable communication, though some large-budget clients reported dissatisfaction with campaign execution and cost management.
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 81 projectsBlack Propeller is a Pay-Per-Click advertising agency specializing in Google Ads and paid search services. The agency is praised for its strong communication, timely delivery, and expertise in PPC management, as noted by over 70% of reviewers. While most clients report positive experiences, citing successful ad spend management and effective strategy implementation, about 20% highlight concerns regarding communication and project execution.
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 48 projectsATRA is a digital advertising agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) services, including Google Ads management and online ad campaigns. With 100% positive feedback, clients praise ATRA’s expertise in PPC strategy and project management, highlighting their responsiveness and ability to tailor solutions that enhance ROI and lead quality. About 60% of reviews mention their effective communication and alignment with client goals.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Portland, OR
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Webfu, a small PPC agency, is in Portland, Oregon. Their services include Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fulshear, TX
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Shero Marketing is a SEO agency. Established in 2019, the firm focuses on Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 402 projectsKlientBoost is a digital advertising agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click Advertising, including Google Ads and Search Engine Marketing. Reviews highlight their expertise in optimizing Campaigns to enhance lead generation and conversion rates. With a 100% positive feedback rate, clients commend their data-driven strategies and exceptional project management, resulting in consistent growth and reduced cost per acquisition. Their collaborative and responsive approach fosters strong client relationships.
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 7 projectsPPC Force is a highly regarded agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click Advertising, providing expert services in managing Google Ads and other digital advertising platforms. Across reviews, 100% of clients commend their responsiveness and timely delivery, with 80% highlighting their deep industry knowledge and alignment with company values. Their ability to enhance lead quality and reduce cost per acquisition is a consistent theme.
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves United StatesServices provided
See all 25 projectsGatorworks is a digital advertising agency specializing in Pay-Per-Click advertising and search engine marketing. Based on reviews, 100% of clients highlight their exceptional project management, timely delivery, and client-focused approach. Additionally, reviewers commend their efforts in enhancing SEO rankings and generating high-quality leads, with 50% mentioning innovation and value-driven solutions.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9West Palm Beach, FL
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Founded in 2019, Mass Inbound is an Advertising company. The team focuses on Advertising and Marketing Strategy.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Melbourne, FL
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Volcano Digital Marketing is a small Melbourne, Florida-based SEO services firm. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Web Design.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Greensboro, NC
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Magnetic Ideas is a SEO services firm established in 2012. The small team offers Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Herndon, VA
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Digital Strategy company Oringoo LLC was founded in 2014. The team focuses on Digital Strategy and Pay Per Click.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Palm Bay, FL
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James Garris Marketing is a small Palm Bay, Florida-based Digital Strategy company. The team offers Digital Strategy and Pay Per Click.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Charlotte, NC
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Carolina SEO is a Content Marketing company. Their team is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and specializes in Content Marketing and Logo.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Ventura, CA
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Established in 1984, The Rico Group is a pay per click agency. The team provides Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimization and is headquartered in Ventura, California.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Hershey, PA
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H2H Marketing is a Mobile & App Marketing company. In Hershey, Pennsylvania and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the company focuses on Mobile & App Marketing and Pay Per Click.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Charlotte, NC
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Advertising company Hodges Advertising, Inc. Was founded in 1988. The team provides Advertising and Media Planning & Buying and is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Laguna Beach, CA
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Razwerks is a SEO services firm. The team focuses on Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click, and the company is headquartered in Laguna Beach, California.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Clearwater, FL
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SERPWARS is a social media marketing agency launched in 2017. The team provides Social Media Marketing and Web Design and is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9New York, NY
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Advertising company Principal Media Communications, LLC is located in New York, New York. Launched in 2017, the team focuses on Advertising and Media Planning & Buying.
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$10,000+Undisclosed2 - 9New York, NY
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Headquartered in New York, New York, BOVRBON is a social media marketing firm. The team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Fullerton, CA
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ClickMobile Solutions is a small Fullerton, California-based Content Marketing company. Their services include Content Marketing and Pay Per Click.
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$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Concord, CA
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SEO LAW HUB is a Digital Strategy company. Launched in 2019, their team offers Digital Strategy and Pay Per Click.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Grand Ledge, MI
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Small Digital Strategy company Feyer Marketing, is located in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Their services include Digital Strategy and Marketing Strategy.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Philadelphia, PA
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Revcarto is a PPC agency based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 2019, the team provides Pay Per Click and Content Marketing.
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$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Catonsville, MD
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LUD Marketing LLC is an Other Digital Marketing company. Their team is headquartered in Catonsville, Maryland and specializes in Other Digital Marketing and Pay Per Click.
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$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Louisville, KY
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DigitalOMO is a Louisville, Kentucky-based SEO company. They specialize in Search Engine Optimization and E-Commerce Development and were launched in 2012.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Eugene, OR
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WebStrata is a web design company established in 1997. Based in Eugene, Oregon, the team focuses on Web Design and Branding.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Belleair Beach, FL
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Brantr Media is an Advertising company. Their small team of employees is headquartered in Belleair Beach, Florida. Their team focuses on Advertising and Pay Per Click.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Macon, GA
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Southern Digital Consulting is a SEO agency located in Macon, Georgia. They specialize in Search Engine Optimization and Web Design.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fredericksburg, VA
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Hive Marketing is a Digital Strategy company founded in 2021. Their team specializes in Digital Strategy and Content Marketing.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Clayton, MO
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Clear to Launch Dental Solutions is a small Clayton, Missouri-based SEO company. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click.
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$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Burlington, VT
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Headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, Pivot Marketing is a Digital Strategy company. Their services include Digital Strategy and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Knoxville, TN
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930Tech is a social media marketing agency. Established in 2021, the agency is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Email Marketing.
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$1,000+< $25 / hr2 - 9Rehoboth Beach, DE
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Caweem LLC, a social media marketing company, was established in 2019. They focuses on Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Ellicott City, MD
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Launched in 2019, WebsiteGo is a small Ellicott City, Maryland-based Digital Strategy company. Their services include Digital Strategy and Content Marketing.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Eugene, OR
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Smart Start Tech LLC is a Direct Marketing company. The team is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, and their services include Direct Marketing and Web Design.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Newport Beach, CA
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Spring SEO, Inc. Is a social media marketing company. The Newport Beach, California-based agency was launched in 2015. Their team offers Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Aventura, FL
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Miami Visuals Agency, a small social media marketing firm, is headquartered in Aventura, Florida. Their services include Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Port St. Lucie, FL
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Founded in 2021, EMC Marketing Service is a small Port St. Lucie, Florida-based SEO agency. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Southampton, PA
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Results Guaranteed is a Content Marketing company founded in 2023. Headquartered in Southampton, Pennsylvania, the team specializes in Content Marketing and Conversion Optimization.
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$5,000+< $25 / hr2 - 9The Woodlands, TX
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Activate Digital Media, a Conversion Optimization company, specializes in Conversion Optimization and Search Engine Optimization. The company is based in The Woodlands, Texas.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Irvine, CA
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Akorn Media LLC , an Advertising company, is in Irvine, California. They focus on Advertising and Search Engine Optimization.
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$5,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Deerfield, NH
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Mighty Media Solutions LLC, a social media marketing agency, was founded in 2022. Headquartered in Deerfield, New Hampshire, the team offers Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Chesapeake, VA
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Crush Digital, a web design agency, is located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Founded in 2023, the team focuses on Web Design and Pay Per Click.
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Undisclosed< $25 / hr2 - 9Farmers Branch, TX
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Located in Farmers Branch, Texas, AmeritechDigitalGrp - Digital Marketing Agency in Dallas is a Digital Strategy company. They focus on Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Austin, TX
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Bullseye Agency is a social media marketing agency. The Austin, Texas-based company was established in 2018. Their team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Miami, FL
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Social media marketing company VIP TECH CONSULTING specializes in Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization. They are headquartered in Miami, Florida.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9New London, CT
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Small SEO services firm Battle SEO, is located in New London, Connecticut and Harker Heights, Texas. The team provides Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click.
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Undisclosed$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Portland, OR
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See all 2 projectshalfCreative specializes in website design, maintenance, security, and SEO services. The overall feedback from their clients reflects a high level of satisfaction, highlighting the company’s quality of work, prompt communication, and expertise. Clients appreciate halfCreative's reliability and availability for questions and changes, with no noted areas for improvement.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Decatur, GA
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SEO Local Services is a SEO company. Founded in 2023, the company offers Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
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$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Salem, OR
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Skyline Video Productions is a small social media marketing agency based in Salem, Oregon. Their services include Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Mahwah, NJ
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In Mahwah, New Jersey, Wenstein, LLC is a SEO services firm. They provide Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9New York, NY
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SEO Pixel Webz is a social media marketing agency. Their small team of employees is headquartered in New York, New York. Their team provides Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Sacramento, CA
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The Fields Agency, a branding agency, is headquartered in Sacramento, California. They provide Branding and Digital Strategy and were established in 2017.
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$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Valrico, FL
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See all 1 projectsFlorida Website Marketing .com specializes in providing tailored SEO services to enhance online visibility and search engine rankings. Reviews consistently highlight their expertise in niche markets, personalized approach, and data-driven strategies, leading to significant improvements in website traffic and sales. Clients commend their professional communication, timely delivery, and responsive project management, though they suggest simplifying technical reports for better client understanding.
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List of the Best U.S. Pay Per Click Agencies and PPC Management Companies
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$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Costa Mesa, CA
Ability to deliver
40/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Pleasant Grove, UT
Ability to deliver
40/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Pay Per Click30% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Woodmere, NY
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Pay Per Click50% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr250 - 999Arlington Heights, IL
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Pay Per Click60% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Bel Air, MD
Ability to deliver
39.3/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Pay Per Click50% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Tempe, AZ
Ability to deliver
39.2/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Pay Per Click10% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Culver City, CA
Ability to deliver
39.2/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
39.1/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Pay Per Click10% Other -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
39/40.020/20 Reviews9.6/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Pay Per Click20% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999Paramus, NJ
Ability to deliver
40/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Pay Per Click70% Other -
$1,000+Undisclosed250 - 999Colorado Springs, CO
Ability to deliver
40/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Pay Per Click70% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Fort Wayne, IN
Ability to deliver
37.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Pay Per Click -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Huntington, NY
Ability to deliver
37.7/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Tucson, AZ
Ability to deliver
37.2/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Pay Per Click10% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
37.1/40.019.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Pay Per Click30% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Tenafly, NJ
Ability to deliver
37/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Pay Per Click50% Other -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr250 - 999Copley, OH
Ability to deliver
39.9/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Pay Per Click75% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ability to deliver
36.6/40.017/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Pay Per Click20% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Hoffman Estates, IL
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Pay Per Click35% Other -
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
37.5/40.019/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Pay Per Click55% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.017/20 Reviews9.4/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Pay Per Click -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Milwaukee, WI
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.018.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Kent, WA
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Pay Per Click30% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Scottsdale, AZ
Ability to deliver
35.6/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Pay Per Click -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Sandy, UT
Ability to deliver
34.9/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Pay Per Click30% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Sheridan, WY
Ability to deliver
34.3/40.016.4/20 Reviews7.9/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Pay Per Click40% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249San Diego, CA
Ability to deliver
34.2/40.016.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Pay Per Click10% Other -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
34/40.017.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Pay Per Click
U.S. PPC Services FAQs
A U.S.-based PPC agency typically owns end-to-end paid campaign performance across one or more channels:
- Strategy and account structure – campaign architecture, audience targeting, budget allocation across platforms
- Creative and copy – ad copy variants, creative testing frameworks, landing page recommendations
- Bidding and optimization – bid strategy selection, negative keyword management, search term mining
- Tracking and measurement: conversion tracking implementation, integration with CRM or analytics
- Reporting and iteration – performance reviews, A/B test results, recommendations for the next cycle
Most agencies specialize by channel — paid search (Google/Microsoft), paid social (Meta/LinkedIn/TikTok), or programmatic display. Some are full-funnel; others are single-platform shops with deep certification depth.
Every business or organization has its own unique needs and goals; be sure to thoroughly assess your company before considering. Typical signs that you need an outsourced team are:
- You're spending less than $50,000 – $100,000 per month — that's typically below the threshold where a dedicated in-house specialist makes financial sense
- You need expertise across multiple platforms, and one in-house person can't be deep in all of them
- You're moving fast (new launch, new market) and don't have time to hire and ramp internally
- Your in-house team is a generalist, and a specialist would compress months of trial and error
On the other hand, it’s recommended to build in-house when:
- You're spending more than $250,000 per month, and the agency margin starts to outweigh hiring costs
- The product or category is unusual enough that platform expertise matters less than category context
- You need PPC to integrate tightly with product or lifecycle systems, and an external team can't access easily
Additionally, many companies run a hybrid: agency-led on net-new platforms or campaigns, in-house on mature ones.
Based on Clutch pricing data, U.S.-based PPC agencies typically charge in one of three structures:
- Percentage of media spend — typically 10–20% of monthly ad budget, with declining percentages at higher spend tiers
- Flat monthly retainer — typically $2,500 – $15,000 per month for SMB and mid-market accounts; $15,000 – $50,000+ for enterprise
- Performance-based — less common; usually a base fee plus a percentage of attributed revenue or qualified leads
Most agencies have a minimum monthly fee ($2,000 – $5,000) regardless of spend. Confirm in advance whether ad spend is paid through the agency or directly to the platform — that affects cash flow and fee math.
Outline your project’s requirements, then go to Clutch and narrow your options by filtering through their platform certifications and specialization, vertical experience, and reporting transparency:
- Certifications matter (Google Premier Partner, Meta Business Partner, etc.), but they're a floor, not a ceiling — most reputable agencies have them.
- Vertical experience matters more than people admit; B2B SaaS PPC is genuinely different from e-commerce PPC, and an agency that's lived in your space will get to optimization faster.
- Reporting transparency means the agency builds dashboards you control, not PDFs you wait for — and that you have direct access to the ad accounts, not view-only.
Also ask: who specifically manages your account day-to-day, what their certifications are, and how the agency handles account ownership at the end of the engagement. Reputable firms hand over the account fully.
- Account ownership in the agency's name. Your ad accounts should be in your business manager, with the agency granted access. Anyone who refuses this is holding your performance data hostage.
- Guaranteed CPA or ROAS. No reputable agency commits to specific performance numbers without first auditing your account, product, and competition. Anyone who does is selling you something.
- Vague reporting. Reputable agencies tie performance to specific campaigns, audiences, and creatives. Aggregate-only numbers ("ad spend up, leads up") are hiding underperformance.
- No conversion tracking discussion in pitch. Tracking is the foundation; agencies that don't lead with it are skipping the part that determines whether anything else matters.
- Pitch team disappears after signing. It's standard for senior people to attend pitches; ask explicitly whether they'll touch the day-to-day account.
Don’t ignore these warning signs, regardless of how exciting the fees or promises seem to be. Make sure to steer clear from any of these red flags.