How to maximize insights from Performance Max

Getting data and insights from Performance Max can be frustrating. Here are some tips and tricks that will help.

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You’ve set up your Google Ads Performance Max campaigns for success.

Now you need insights into performance, keyword themes, where your dollars are being spent and more.

The problem?

Getting data and insights from Performance Max can be frustrating.

Here are some tips and tricks we’ve uncovered so far.

While more granular data is limited, take advantage of the Insights tab.

There is some useful info on overall trends.

You can view week-over-week or month-over-month data.

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Insights: Keyword themes

Additionally, while you cannot see actual search terms, you can see keyword themes as well as basic performance data.

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Listing groups vs display: Where are your dollars being spent?

Compare overall campaign spend in the Campaigns tab vs. overall spend of all Listing Groups

This will help you understand the spend breakdown between Video/Display and ad units created with the datafeed.

Note: If you find that Display/Video traffic is not converting as well as your datafeed, you can turn off URL expansion in the campaign settings.

You can also try running a Smart Shopping style Performance Max campaign:

Segment: Your data

In the campaigns tab, you can filter by campaign and segment by:

  • Device
  • Day/Time
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Landing pages: What pages are getting traffic/conversions?

Note: This report is not available within a Performance Max campaign, you’ll need to access it from the All Campaigns tab and filter your PMax campaigns only.

All Campaigns > Landing Pages > Filter by Campaign

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Locations: Where is the traffic and sales coming from?

In the Locations tab, you can drill down performance by:

  • Country
  • States
  • ZIP/Postal Code
  • County/DMA
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Reports: Use custom reports to roll up your data

Go to the reports tab and build a custom table showcasing performance by:

  • Placements (Display/Video/Datafeed)
  • Brand (Datafeed)
  • Category/Collection (Datafeed)
  • Custom Labels (Datafeed)
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Note: Placements can be excluded on the account level:


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Menachem Ani
Contributor
Menachem Ani is the founder of JXT Group, a US-based agency specializing in multi-channel online advertising. A digital and search marketing veteran, he brings to the table more than 20 years of experience creating high-impact growth strategies for eCommerce and service-based businesses.

His track record of delivering consistently above-average results stems from his forward-thinking mentality. A pro-automation paid media specialist, Menachem adapts the fundamentals of marketing to ever-evolving ad platforms. Today, he is one of the leading authorities on modern Google Ads tactics and campaigns, including Performance Max, Demand Gen and offline conversion tracking.

Outside of running his agency, Menachem is also a highly regarded author and speaker. He has shared insights on paid media and growing a digital agency at SMX, BrightonSEO, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, Foxwell Founders, and several other publications.

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