Forums › Forums › PPC › For Search campaigns in newly created Google Ads accounts, do you typically start by optimizing for “Maximize clicks” or “Maximize conversions”? › Reply To: For Search campaigns in newly created Google Ads accounts, do you typically start by optimizing for “Maximize clicks” or “Maximize conversions”?

  • petebowen

    Guest
    May 25, 2026 at 11:40 am

    I used to start with a click-based bid strategy. Over the last 18 months or so I’ve launched more and more campaigns starting with a conversion-based bid strategy – even in accounts with no history.

    I understand that these days Google learns from system-wide data, not just the conversion data in your account, which makes the traditional buy-clicks-and-hope-for-conversions approach unnecessary.

    But, there is no one true way of managing Google Ads. If what you do works for you, keep doing it.

    If you’re interested I’ve written up the day-by-day stats for a recent campaign launched with a conversion-based bid strategy here: [https://pete-bowen.com/whats-the-right-bidding-strategy-for-a-brand-new-google-ads-account](https://pete-bowen.com/whats-the-right-bidding-strategy-for-a-brand-new-google-ads-account)