After implementing Smart Bidding and broad match, what are three campaign best practices you should follow?

Use cross-device reporting

Monitor Quality Score.

Use contextual signals

Be mindful of negative keyword targeting.

Use responsive search ads

Explanation

When pairing Smart Bidding with broad match, your strategy should focus on providing Google's AI with maximum flexibility and high-quality data to optimize performance across a wide range of queries.


Analysis of Correct Answer(s)

  • Use responsive search ads (RSAs): This is a core best practice. RSAs allow Google's AI to automatically test various headline and description combinations. This is crucial when using broad match, as the system can create the most relevant ad for each specific query it matches, improving Ad Relevance and click-through rate (CTR).

  • Be mindful of negative keyword targeting: Because broad match casts a wide net, it can trigger ads on irrelevant searches. Regularly reviewing search term reports and adding negative keywords is essential to prevent wasted spend and ensure Smart Bidding learns from high-quality, relevant traffic.

  • Monitor Quality Score: Quality Score remains a fundamental indicator of your ad, keyword, and landing page relevance. A higher Quality Score can lead to lower costs and better ad positions, making your Smart Bidding strategy more efficient. Improving its components (expected CTR, Ad Relevance, landing page experience) is a continuous best practice.

Analysis of Incorrect Options

  • Use contextual signals: This is a function that Smart Bidding performs automatically. The algorithm inherently uses signals like device, location, and time of day to set bids. It is not a practice for the advertiser to implement manually.

  • Use cross-device reporting: This is a valuable reporting tool for understanding user behavior, but it's not a direct, hands-on optimization practice in the same way as managing creatives and keywords.