Google Ads Shifts Focus: Performance Planner Changes

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As someone deeply invested in the world of digital advertising, I’ve noticed that Google is making a significant change. They’re moving away from impression-based planning and encouraging us to adopt more conversion-focused strategies.

Recently, I learned that Google’s Performance Planner tool has refined its scope. They’re now emphasizing conversion-focused campaign types, leaving behind the traditional impression-based planning style.

What’s happening? Last month, Performance Planner stopped supporting planning for Display and Video campaigns. This adjustment also means that metrics like impression share, top impression share, or absolute top impression share are no longer viable on their platform.

Why this matters to us. This shift away from impression-focused planning affects how we forecast and optimize campaigns concentrated on brand awareness. Google’s push towards conversion-focused and automated strategies challenges us to rethink our approach to upper-funnel tactics.

The bigger picture. It’s evident that Google Ads is prioritizing automation and performance-driven results. They are aligning their tools more with campaign types like Search, Shopping, App, Demand Gen, Local, and Performance Max.

How it’s working now. We can continue using the Performance Planner for supported campaign types, but any plans that included Display or Video campaigns, based on impression share metrics, are no longer editable or viewable.

What I’m watching. I’m curious about how we’ll adapt our planning and forecasting strategies for upper-funnel channels like Display and Video now that they lack native support in Google’s tools.

Bottom line. Ultimately, Google’s focus on performance-driven planning means that impression-based strategies might soon be a thing of the past. It’s time to embrace the shift towards conversions.


Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


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FAQs

What change is Google Ads making to Performance Planner?

Google Ads is moving away from impression-based planning toward conversion-focused strategies. Performance Planner has stopped supporting planning for Display and Video campaigns, and metrics like impression share are no longer viable on the platform.

Why does this shift matter for forecasting and optimization?

This shift affects how we forecast and optimize brand awareness campaigns. Google’s move toward conversion-focused and automated strategies challenges us to rethink our approach to upper-funnel tactics.

What is the bigger picture for Google Ads tools?

Google Ads is prioritizing automation and performance-driven results. The changes align with campaign types like Search, Shopping, App, Demand Gen, Local, and Performance Max.

How does this affect existing plans in Performance Planner?

You can continue using the Performance Planner for supported campaign types. However, any plans that included Display or Video campaigns, based on impression share metrics, are no longer editable or viewable.

What is the bottom line of these changes?

Google’s focus on performance-driven planning suggests impression-based strategies may be a thing of the past. It’s time to embrace the shift toward conversions.

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