{"id":702984,"date":"2025-12-10T18:21:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T15:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T18:21:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T15:21:02","slug":"the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"The truth about Google Ads recommendations (and auto-apply)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e7445463cd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e7445463cd\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#Understand_how_to_use_Google_Ads_recommendations_so_you_can_spot_what_helps_ignore_what_doesnt_and_keep_your_account_safe\" >Understand how to use Google Ads recommendations so you can spot what helps, ignore what doesn\u2019t, and keep your account safe.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#Why_does_everyone_hate_Google_Ads_Recommendations\" >Why does everyone hate Google Ads Recommendations?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#Does_Optimization_Score_actually_matter_in_Google_Ads\" >Does Optimization Score actually matter in Google Ads?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#What_is_a_Recommendation_vs_an_actual_performance_issue\" >What is a Recommendation vs. an actual performance issue?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#Are_Google_Ads_Recommendations_just_a_money_grab_by_Google\" >Are Google Ads Recommendations just a money grab by Google?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-truth-about-google-ads-recommendations-and-auto-apply\/#Make_sure_you_keep_this_setting_off_in_your_account\" >Make sure you keep this setting off in your account!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"subhead\" itemprop=\"alternativeHeadline\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand_how_to_use_Google_Ads_recommendations_so_you_can_spot_what_helps_ignore_what_doesnt_and_keep_your_account_safe\"><\/span>Understand how to use Google Ads recommendations so you can spot what helps, ignore what doesn\u2019t, and keep your account safe.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"bialty-container\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"rll-youtube-player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TQoMja36CdM\" data-id=\"TQoMja36CdM\" data-query=\"feature=oembed\" data-alt=\"Google Ads Recommendations: The Truth, The Myths, The Warnings #googleads #thegooglepro\"><\/div>\n<p><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Google Ads Recommendations: The Truth, The Myths, The Warnings #googleads #thegooglepro\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TQoMja36CdM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Do you want to im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely raise the blood pressure of the Google Ads practitioner sitting next to you? Say one word: Recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve spent any time in the Google Ads platform, you\u2019ve seen Recommendations jumping out at you on every screen: when you\u2019re adding keywords, when you\u2019re adjusting your campaign settings, when you\u2019re changing your bid strategy, when you\u2019re minding your own business! And we\u2019ve all received that email from a client asking why their \u201cOptimization Score\u201d is falling.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, I\u2019ll explain what Recommendations actually are (and aren\u2019t), where they come from, and how you should handle them. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-does-everyone-hate-google-ads-recommendations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_everyone_hate_Google_Ads_Recommendations\"><\/span>Why does everyone hate Google Ads Recommendations?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>First, let\u2019s address the elephant in the room: Why do so many Google Ads practitioners dislike recommendations?<\/p>\n<p>In my opinion, it\u2019s a misalignment of understanding and expectations. While Recommendations are personalized for your account, they are not necessarily personalized for your business context and goals.<\/p>\n<p>The Recommendations algorithm looks at your account data (keywords, bids, targeting, etc.) and identifies patterns where it thinks it can improve performance based on its own logic. <\/p>\n<p>For example, if the system sees you are only using Exact and Phrase match keywords, it will likely flag a recommendation to \u201cTest Broad Match.\u201d It does this simply because the feature is available and you aren\u2019t using it. It\u2019s logical from a platform capability standpoint, but it might be terrible for your specific budget or niche.<\/p>\n<p>To understand why this h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens, it helps to know the history. <\/p>\n<p>Recommendations actually started as an internal sales tool for Google Ads sales representatives. It was designed to help reps spot opportunities to provide support (and upsells) to clients. However, there was that \u201chuman filter\u201d element to ensure that reps were only pitching relevant opportunities. Now that Recommendations surface automatically in every account, that human filter is gone.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"does-optimization-score-actually-matter-in-google-ads\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Optimization_Score_actually_matter_in_Google_Ads\"><\/span>Does Optimization Score actually matter in Google Ads?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the biggest sources of anxiety for business owners in Google Ads is the <strong>Optimization Score<\/strong>. It\u2019s that 0%-100% number sitting prominently on your dashboard \u2013\u00a0and the one Google loves to highlight in its automated emails.<\/p>\n<p>Many people treat this score like a report card. If they see a 60%, they panic, thinking their campaign is failing. This can lead to users blindly clicking \u201cApply All\u201d just to get that number back up to 100%.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do not do this.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here is the secret that doesn\u2019t need to be a secret: The optimization score is <strong>not<\/strong> a measure of how well your account is performing; it is a measure of whether you are <strong>reviewing<\/strong> your recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t take my word for it \u2013 see for yourself! You do not have to accept a recommendation to increase your score. Dismissing a recommendation gives you the <strong>exact same score uplift<\/strong> as applying it. You can literally dismiss every single recommendation in the list and, like magic, you\u2019ll have a 100% optimization score.<\/p>\n<p>No, optimization score doesn\u2019t really matter. Keep it at 100% if it makes you feel good, or if you need to maintain Google Partner status. Otherwise, feel free to ignore it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-recommendation-vs-an-actual-performance-issue\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Recommendation_vs_an_actual_performance_issue\"><\/span>What is a Recommendation vs. an actual performance issue?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Recommendations aren\u2019t just confined to the <em>Recommendations<\/em> tab. Google has integrated them throughout the entire ad platform. You\u2019ll see them when you are setting up a new account, adding keywords, adjusting bid strategies, or even just viewing your campaign overview.<\/p>\n<p>It can be startling to see a warning symbol on your account, or even in your email inbox, so here\u2019s what you need to know to distinguish a \u201cfriendly\u201d recommendation from an actual performance issue in your account:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Blue or Yellow Notifications:<\/strong> These are recommendations. They are the platform saying, \u201cHey, have you thought about trying this?\u201d You can safely review these at your leisure and dismiss them if they don\u2019t fit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red or Purple Notifications:<\/strong> These are actual problems. If you see red, you potentially have a real issue, such as a billing failure or a disapproved ad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don\u2019t let the blue and yellow icons scare you into making hasty, unnecessary changes. If you like the recommendation, accept it. If not, dismiss it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"are-google-ads-recommendations-just-a-money-grab-by-google\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Google_Ads_Recommendations_just_a_money_grab_by_Google\"><\/span>Are Google Ads Recommendations just a money grab by Google?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When Google Ads practitioners complain that recommendations are just designed to make you spend more money, my response is: Yes, obviously.<\/p>\n<p>Google is a for-profit company. They want you to spend more on Google Ads. <\/p>\n<p>However, Google is smart enough to know that if you spend more money and get zero results, you will <strong>stop<\/strong> spending money. They need you to succeed so that you keep spending.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, not all recommendations are about spending more money. I split them into two categories:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reach and Spend:<\/strong> Suggestions like changing your budget or adding broad match keywords. These are designed to cast a wider net, which usually results in higher spend.<\/li>\n<li><strong>ROI and Hygiene:<\/strong> Suggestions like fixing conversion tracking or adding a target to your bid strategy. These don\u2019t necessarily increase ad spend, but they can potentially help you improve your return on investment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"make-sure-you-keep-this-setting-off-in-your-account\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_sure_you_keep_this_setting_off_in_your_account\"><\/span>Make sure you keep this setting off in your account!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No discussion about recommendations is complete without mentioning Auto-Apply Recommendations. For many years, Google pushed \u201cAAR\u201d heavily, encouraging users to let the system automatically apply changes without review.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, this push seems to have slowed down recently, but you still need to ensure you have control over your account. You do not want Google making changes to your budget, bids, or keywords while you sleep.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what you need to do right now:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to the <em>Recommendations<\/em> tab.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure you are in the <em>All Campaigns<\/em> view.<\/li>\n<li>Click on <em>Auto-Apply Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure all boxes are unchecked.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>You want those boxes empty so that Google does not have permission to modify your account without your direct input.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, recommendations aren\u2019t \u201cevil,\u201d nor are they gospel truth. They are just a nudge. They are a starting point for testing. <\/p>\n<p>Whether a recommendation comes from the Google Ads interface, an agency partner, or someone like me, the rule remains the same: You know your business best. Review the suggestion. If it aligns with your goals, test it. If it doesn\u2019t, dismiss it and move on.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>This article is part of our ongoing Search Engine Land <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a>, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. In each edition, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it \u2013 all in a quick 3-minute read.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Technology<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/google-ads-recommendations-auto-apply-465909\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand how to use Google Ads recommendations so you can spot what helps, ignore what doesn\u2019t, and keep your account safe. Do you want to immediately raise the blood pressure of the Google Ads practitioner sitting next to you? Say one word: Recommendations. If you\u2019ve spent any time in the Google Ads platform, you\u2019ve seen&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-702984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/702984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=702984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/702984\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=702984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=702984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=702984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}