Inside Google Ads with Jyll Saskin Gales

Google announced a change to how budget-limited campaigns on target-based bid strategies will work... is it time to freak out? Hardly! In episode 130 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales cuts through the hyperbole to tell you what's changing, what you need to know, and what it ACTUALLY means for your campaigns. While social media is filled with "hot takes," the reality of this update is much more straightforward than the rumors suggest.

Key Topics Discussed:
- What the August 17, 2026 smart bidding update actually changes for target CPA and target ROAS campaigns
- The difference between the red "limited by budget" warning and the yellow recommendation
- Why some advertisers see an anecdotal performance "overshoot" in budget-limited campaigns
- Practical solutions for accounts that are chronically limited by budget
- How to use maximize bid strategies as an alternative to target-based bidding

You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Resources discussed in this episode:
- Brooke Osmundson's Search Engine Journal article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-clarifies-smart-bidding-update-after-advertiser-concerns/581804/
- Google Ads documentation about this change: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/17061251?hl=en
- Inside Google Ads episode 7 - What should you do if your campaign is limited by budget? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/7?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130
- Inside Google Ads episode 93 - What does limited by budget mean in Google Ads? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/93?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode130

Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro

How do you actually manage your Google Ads on a day-to-day, week-to-week, or month-to-month basis? In episode 129 of Inside Google Ads, host Jyll Saskin Gales breaks down exactly how to approach campaign management across three distinct scenarios: launching a brand new campaign, maintaining a campaign that is already performing well, and diagnosing a campaign that is struggling. Whether you are dealing with skyrocketing CPCs or trying to figure out when to let machine learning do its job, this episode offers a practical framework for confident account management.

Key Topics Discussed:
Managing New Campaigns: What metrics to check after 2 to 3 days, with benchmarks for each campaign type.
The "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It" Maxim: Why a clean change history can be a sign of true expertise, and how to shift to higher-impact monthly tasks.
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis: How to diagnose performance issues at the source instead of relying on ineffective "band-aid" tactics.
The Reality of Rising CPCs: A simple exercise in the Search Terms Report to understand how Smart Bidding takes calculated risks on high-value conversions.
You can get Inside Google Ads episodes delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode129

Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro

What should you do when your search campaigns are maxed out? In episode 128 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales shares a story about a Google Ads coaching client who runs an agency, and achieved incredible results for a local service business... until he hit a wall when trying to scale the budget. She discovers that his client has a non-brand search impression share of 91% (!), and discusses what this means, and what to do next.

If you feel stuck with a budget that will not spend, or CPCs that keep rising, this episode provides a clear path forward for your Google Ads growth.

Key topics discussed in this episode:
How to identify when you have reached the limit of search opportunity.
The connection between high impression share and inflated CPCs.
Why excellent landing pages and sales training are essential for high-cost industries.
Transitioning from phrase and exact match keywords to a broader strategy.
How to use Demand Gen campaigns to reach people when they are not actively searching.
How to know when it's time to expand your reach.
You can get Inside Google Ads episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week, and sign up for Jyll's free bi-weekly newsletter - The Insider - at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Episode 120: Demand Gen vs Video Campaigns: Which Is Better? https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/120?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128
Episode 124: Google Ads Demand Gen: Use the 5x5x5 Rule to Stop Ad Fatigue https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/124?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128
The Insider newsletter issue - Growing Your Google Ads When Search is Maxed Out: https://learn.jyll.ca/newsletters/the-insider/posts/maxed-out-search-impression-share?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128
Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Read more about this topic on Jyll's Google Ads Blog
Should you use Broad Match keywords in Google Ads? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/should-you-use-broad-match-keywords-in-google-ads?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Worried About High CPCs with Maximize Conversions? You Shouldn't Be https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/worried-about-high-cpcs-with-maximize-conversions-you-shouldn-t-be?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Your Ultimate Guide to Impression Share in Google Ads https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/what-is-impression-share-in-google-ads?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode128

Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro

We were promised that AI would save us so much time, we could lie on the beach while automation handled our business. The reality so far? Quite different! In this conversation between Fred Vallaeys, CEO of Optmyzr, and Jyll Saskin Gales, Google Ads Coach & host of the Inside Google Ads podcast, we discuss how AI isn't actually making our jobs shorter, it's pushing us to work harder, think deeper, and become better marketers.

Join us for special episode 127 to find out what it truly means to be an AI-powered marketer. We talk about why human creativity and business data are your ultimate competitive advantages as Google's tools become more automated. We also dive into some contrarian strategies, including why you might want to rethink your entire approach to negative keywords, and I pull back the curtain on how I use my own custom "JyllBot" to manage my content creation.

Key topics discussed:
Why AI acts as an "average maker" and how you can use unique business data to get excellent results.
The negative keyword debate: why removing massive legacy lists might actually improve your ROAS.
How I used Claude Cowork to help overcome blank-page syndrome while writing my upcoming second book.
 Keeping up with rapid industry shifts through peer communities rather than just feature logs.
What highly personalized search results mean for the future of your ad formats and delivery.
You can get Inside Google Ads episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode127

Resources mentioned in this episode
Episode 126: Is Google Ads Dead? Why I’m More Excited Than Ever for the Future https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/126?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode127
Fred Vallaeys' latest book, the AI-Amplified Marketer: https://aiamplifiedmarketer.com
Jyll Saskin Gales' latest book, Inside Google Ads: Everything you need to know about Audience Targeting: https://jyll.ca/book?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode127
Start your free trial of Optmyzr: https://www.optmyzr.com/?ref=ywu3y2m [affiliate link]
Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode127

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode127

Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro

Is it still worth learning Google Ads, or is AI making us obsolete? In episode 126 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales addresses the growing apprehension and fear surrounding the future of Google Ads and the PPC industry. While the shift away from traditional keyword control and the rise of AI-driven search experiences feels different, these changes actually present the most significant opportunity yet for strategic marketers.

By breaking down the platform into its three core components - bidding, targeting, and creative - Jyll illustrates how artificial intelligence acts as an efficiency multiplier rather than a human replacement. The episode explores advanced tools like AI Max, branded controls, and AI Brief, demonstrating how practitioners can steer automation to achieve superior results. While AI raises the floor for average performance, your human expertise is required to "raise the roof." Whether you manage accounts for a small business or a major agency, this conversation will help you adapt your mindset and approach for the next chapter of digital advertising.

Key topics discussed:
The reality behind the statement that advertisers can no longer choose keywords."
How incremental bidding innovations like smart bidding exploration and customer lifecycle goals support human-led strategy.
Why AI Max is the future for Search and Shopping campaigns. 
The strategic value of AI Brief for guiding targeting and messaging.
Why marketing foundations and landing page quality matter more than ever in an AI-first SERP.
You can get Inside Google Ads episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126

Inside Google Ads course
Join 400+ marketers like you who are mastering Google Ads with Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126

Read more about this topic on Jyll's Google Ads Blog
Smart Bidding Exploration in Google Ads: Everything you need to know https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/smart-bidding-exploration-in-google-ads-everything-you-need-to-know?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126
Google Ads Journey Aware Bidding: The next bid strategy for lead generation? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/google-ads-journey-aware-bidding-the-next-bid-strategy-for-lead-generation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126
Google Ads Customer Lifecycle Goals: What You Need To Know https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/google-ads-customer-lifecycle-goals-what-you-need-to-know?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode126
Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro