# Search Ad Destination QA Checklist

Canonical page: https://waitlist.crany.ai/marketing-templates/search-ad-destination-functional-qa

By Tangenix. Published 2026-10-23. Category: Paid search.

Verify that an ad click reaches the intended working page with consistent URLs and a usable next step before requesting campaign publication.

## Task

Check the functional journey from a proposed Search ad URL to its intended public destination.

## When to use

Use this before launch or after changing routing, tracking templates or hosting. Record actual responses and visible behavior instead of relying only on the page title in an ad preview.

## Choose another approach when

You are treating one successful local page load as global availability, bypassing security controls, or using this worksheet as proof that Google has approved an ad.

## Inputs

- The proposed final, mobile and tracking URLs with no private tokens.
- The intended destination, offer and target device/location scope.
- An authorized way to inspect public responses and complete a safe test journey.

## Template

    Ad version / expected destination: [reference]
    URL under test: [safe public URL]
    Observed redirects and final host: [sequence]
    HTTP status / checked time: [response]
    Common desktop and mobile browser check: [observations]
    Visible offer and next action: [what actually appears]
    Tracking path reaches equivalent content: [pass / fail / not checked]
    Access or crawler error: [evidence; no bypass]
    Target-location coverage not tested: [limits]
    Issue, owner and retest: [record]
    Release decision: fix / investigate / ready for authorized review
    Policy review status remains separate.

## Illustrative example

This is not a Crany customer result. Replace example details with verified facts.

    Fictional final URL points to /handoff-sample. Desktop returns the expected sample, but the mobile URL redirects to an obsolete /beta page returning 404.
    Decision: hold the mobile URL change and send the observed redirect sequence to the site owner. After a scoped fix, retest both paths and the sample's next action.
    The reviewer has not tested every target country or AdsBot access. Those limits stay visible. A green desktop check cannot erase the mobile failure or establish ad approval.

## How to use

1. Follow each intended URL path and record the response and final content.
2. Check safe desktop and mobile journeys, including the promised next action and tracking path.
3. Resolve observed failures and retest affected paths before an authorized launch decision.

## Checks

- The display and destination relationship is reviewed explicitly.
- A redirect is judged by its actual final content and host.
- Untested locations and crawler behavior are marked as unknown.

## What to measure

Record failing paths, affected ads and successful retests. After release, distinguish destination uptime from offer completion and campaign results; a functional page is necessary evidence, not an acquisition guarantee.

## Research and sources

Google lists destination functionality, consistency, access and crawlability requirements. The inspection record is original and intentionally narrower than a full policy or worldwide availability audit.

- [Google Ads: Destination requirements](https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/6368661?hl=en) — checked 2026-10-23. Functional, accessible, crawlable destinations and consistent URLs are required; a worksheet cannot certify approval.

Prepared with AI assistance. Sources support the stated principles; they do not endorse Crany or guarantee performance.

## About Crany

Crany is an AI marketing co-founder in development for software founders and vibe coders. It is designed to strategize, execute approved marketing and improve based on results. These free resources are usable independently of app access. The public waitlist is at https://waitlist.crany.ai/.