Google is changing how target-based bid strategies behave when campaigns are constrained by budget, aiming to make performance more consistent with advertiser targets even as budgets fluctuate.
The update will take effect on August 17th, with a new Bid Target Adjustment Tool becoming available on July 6.
What’s happening. Google says campaigns using target-based bidding strategies, such as Target CPA, will more closely align with their configured targets when budget limitations exist.
The company is also introducing a Bid Target Adjustment Tool that will allow advertisers to review and modify targets before the changes take effect.
Why we care. Campaigns that have been outperforming their target CPA or ROAS goals may no longer continue doing so automatically after the update. Google’s changes are designed to make budget-constrained campaigns adhere more closely to their stated targets, which could alter performance and efficiency if targets haven’t been reviewed recently.
For example, a campaign using a Target CPA of $10 that is currently achieving a $5 CPA could see performance move closer to the $10 target unless the advertiser updates the target setting.
The new Bid Target Adjustment Tool gives advertisers a chance to proactively update bidding goals before the August rollout. For some advertisers, failing to adjust targets could mean paying more per conversion or seeing performance shift toward Google’s target rather than the campaign’s historical results.
Why Google is making the change. According to Google, the update is intended to reduce volatility and create more predictable performance when advertisers increase, decrease or otherwise adjust campaign budgets.
The company says the new tool will help advertisers align bidding targets more closely with actual business objectives before enforcement begins.
What advertisers should do. Google is encouraging advertisers to review campaigns that use target-based bidding strategies and evaluate whether existing targets still reflect desired outcomes.
Advertisers will receive notifications in their Google Ads accounts before the rollout and can use the Bid Target Adjustment Tool to identify campaigns that may be affected.
Between the lines. The update could have significant implications for advertisers whose campaigns are consistently outperforming their targets. In some cases, maintaining current performance levels may require lowering target settings rather than leaving them unchanged.
Bottom line: Google is tightening the relationship between target-based bidding goals and actual campaign performance, making it more important for advertisers to regularly review and update bidding targets as business conditions change.
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