Smart Bidding is Google’s set of automated bidding strategies that use machine learning to continuously optimize for conversions or value.
The main strategies:
- Maximize Conversions: spends the full budget to get as many conversions as possible.
- Target CPA: aims for as many conversions as possible at or below a cost per acquisition you set.
- Target ROAS: aims to maximize conversion value while hitting a return target, useful for stores selling across a wide price range.
- Maximize Conversion Value: similar to Maximize Conversions, but optimizes for total value, like cart size, rather than count.
Manual bidding can’t respond to every signal (device, location, time of day, audience) at each auction. Smart Bidding can adjust bids many times a day based on how likely a given impression is to convert. That’s why almost every modern Google Ads account, including fully automated platforms like Amanda AI, uses some form of Smart Bidding rather than manual bidding.
