> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/connections/google-ads.md).

# Google Ads

Google Ads is the connection that powers most of SMAQ's paid-search and creative-intelligence features — search term analysis, quality score monitoring, impression share alerts, ad fatigue detection, and competitor ad tracking on the Google Transparency Center.

### What SMAQ pulls

* Campaign, ad group, ad, keyword, and search term performance
* Impressions, clicks, conversions, spend, CPC, CTR, CPA, ROAS
* Quality Score and components (CTR, ad relevance, landing page experience)
* Impression share metrics (lost to budget, lost to rank)
* Auction insights where available
* Ad assets and creative copy (for search and display)

### What you'll need

* A Google account with access to the Google Ads account you want to connect.
* For MCC (manager) accounts: the customer ID of the sub-account(s) you want to pull. SMAQ can connect one sub-account per Connection — connect multiple if needed.

### Steps to connect

1. Click **Data Source → Add data source**.
2. Pick **Google Ads**.
3. Authorize SMAQ via OAuth.
4. Pick the customer account from the dropdown (top-level or sub-account under an MCC).
5. Optionally, select the **conversion actions** you care about — SMAQ uses these for ROAS and CPA calculations.
6. Name the connection and click **Connect**.

> **\[Screen video needed]** Full Google Ads OAuth + customer selection + conversion-action picker. \~75 seconds.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Customer account dropdown showing an MCC with sub-accounts indented underneath.

### Automations powered by Google Ads

Connecting Google Ads unlocks these automations:

* [Campaign Performance Check](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#campaign-performance-check)
* [Quality Score Monitor](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#quality-score-monitor)
* [Impression Share Monitor](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#impression-share-monitor)
* [Search Term Analysis](/documentation/features/search-term-analysis.md)
* [Ad Fatigue Detector](/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/ad-fatigue-detector.md)
* [Google Competitor Ads Monitor](/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/google-competitor-ads.md)
* [Budget Pacing Alert](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#budget-pacing-alert)
* [Keyword Exploration](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#keyword-exploration)
* Google Ads Landing Page Analysis (component of Daily Brief)

### Tips

* **Connect at the MCC level if you manage multiple clients** — SMAQ will let you pick the sub-account per connection, so you can swap easily.
* **Conversion actions matter.** If you pick "All conversions," SMAQ uses Google's default. If you pick a specific set, SMAQ uses only those — better for ecommerce stores with multiple goals.
* **Wait 1–2 hours for fresh data**. Google Ads has a reporting delay — same-day data is partial.

### Troubleshooting

* **"Account suspended" error** — your Google Ads account is suspended. SMAQ can't pull from suspended accounts. Resolve in the Google Ads UI first.
* **Numbers off by \~10%** — usually a timezone mismatch. Set the connection's timezone to match your account's timezone in Google Ads settings.
* **Search terms missing** — search terms with low query volume aren't returned by Google's API (privacy threshold). Expected behavior.

### Related

* [Search Term Analysis](/documentation/features/search-term-analysis.md)
* [Pre-signup audit (Google Ads branch)](/documentation/get-started/quick-start/pre-signup-audit.md) — same audit that runs at signup