What is Maximize Conversions Bidding?Maximize Conversions is a Google Ads Smart Bidding strategy that uses machine learning to automatically set bids in each auction to maximize the total number of conversions within your specified daily budget, without targeting a specific cost per conversion. Unlike Target CPA (which has a specific cost goal), Maximize Conversions
What is Maximize Conversions Bidding?
Maximize Conversions is a Google Ads Smart Bidding strategy that uses machine learning to automatically set bids in each auction to maximize the total number of conversions within your specified daily budget, without targeting a specific cost per conversion. Unlike Target CPA (which has a specific cost goal), Maximize Conversions focuses purely on generating the most conversion volume possible within budget constraints. It is particularly useful for new campaigns that do not yet have the 30-50 monthly conversions Google requires for Target CPA to function effectively.
When to Use Maximize Conversions for SaaS
Maximize Conversions is appropriate for: (1) New campaigns in their first 4-8 weeks of activity (building conversion data before transitioning to Target CPA), (2) Campaigns with small daily budgets where Target CPA bids might result in rarely winning auctions, (3) Time-sensitive promotions where maximizing volume within a fixed period matters more than efficiency targets. Transition path: start with Maximize Conversions (or Enhanced CPC) for 4-6 weeks to accumulate 50+ conversions, then switch to Target CPA with a starting target based on the average CPA observed during the Maximize Conversions phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Maximize Conversions and Maximize Conversion Value?
Maximize Conversions optimizes for the most conversions (number of leads, trials, or form fills) within budget, regardless of value. Maximize Conversion Value optimizes for the highest total value of conversions within budget, making it appropriate when different conversions have different values (a demo request worth $200 and a whitepaper download worth $10). For SaaS lead generation: use Maximize Conversions when all conversion actions have similar quality. Use Maximize Conversion Value when you have assigned different values to conversion types (or imported offline conversion values) and want the algorithm to prioritize higher-value conversions.
How long should I run Maximize Conversions before switching to Target CPA?
Run Maximize Conversions for at least 4-6 weeks and until you have accumulated at least 30-50 conversions in the campaign. This provides Google machine learning sufficient data to calibrate Target CPA bidding effectively. If conversions come in slower than this pace (less than 7-10 per week), continue with Maximize Conversions longer before transitioning: switching to Target CPA before sufficient data accumulation leads to a prolonged learning period and volatile performance.