Google Ads Manual CPC Campaign Setup August 2024: Latest Changes Explained - It Is Still Possible!

Introduction

This tutorial guides you through setting up a Manual CPC (Cost Per Click) campaign in Google Ads, reflecting the latest changes as of August 2024. Despite Google's push towards automated bidding strategies, this step-by-step guide will help you create a Manual CPC campaign and adjust bids effectively.

Chapter 1: Create New Campaign

1. Start a New Campaign

   • Log into your Google Ads account.
   • Click on "Campaigns" in the left sidebar.
   • Click the "+" button to create a new campaign.

2. Choose Campaign Settings

   • Select "Create without a goal's guidance" for more options.
   • Choose "Search" as the campaign type.
   • Set the goal to "Website visits."
   • Name your campaign (e.g., "Manual CPC Test") and click "Continue."

Chapter 2: Choose Initial Bidding Strategy

1. Set Initial Bidding Strategy

   • Initially, choose "Clicks" as your bidding option.
   • Click "Next" to proceed.

2. Specify Campaign Location

   • Remove default locations and enter your target location (e.g., "Indianapolis").

3. Keyword Suggestions (Optional)

   • Skip AI keyword generation, or you can use it if preferred.
   • Manually enter keywords relevant to your campaign (e.g., "Beauty School enroll," "Beauty School interested").

4. Enter Final URL

   • Input the final URL for your ads.

Chapter 3: Create Ad for New Campaign

1. Craft Your Ad

   • Enter three headlines for your ad:
     • "Beauty School Finders"
     • "Enroll in Beauty School Now"
     • "Get Hands-On Training This Week"
   • Ensure the headlines are relevant to your keywords.

2. Set Your Budget

   • Specify your daily budget (e.g., $100).

3. Publish the Campaign

   • Review your settings and click "Publish" to create the campaign.

Chapter 4: Change to Manual CPC

1. Access Campaign Settings

   • After publishing, navigate to the gear icon (settings).
   • Under settings, find the bidding strategy.

2. Switch to Manual CPC

   • Click on the current bidding strategy (which will likely be "Maximize Clicks").
   • Select "Manual CPC" from the options.

3. Confirm Changes

   • Make sure to save your changes.

Chapter 5: Adjust Manual CPC Bids

1. Access Ad Group Settings

   • Click on your newly created campaign.
   • Go into the ad group section.

2. Adjust Manual CPC Bids

   • Look for the "Manual CPC" option at the top right.
   • Enter a default bid amount (e.g., $20) and save.

3. Customize Individual Keyword Bids

   • Refresh the keyword section.
   • Adjust the manual CPC for each keyword as needed (e.g., $7, $11.11, $144).

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a Manual CPC campaign in Google Ads and learned how to adjust your bids. Remember, despite the changes in Google Ads, you can still leverage Manual CPC for better control over your ad spending. As you continue to refine your campaign, monitor performance closely to ensure optimal results. If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to seek help or consult additional resources.