When should you use Target vs. Maximize vs. Manual bid strategies?

Inside Google Ads with Jyll Saskin Gales

There are many bid strategies to choose from in Google Ads, and they fall into three main categories of bidding: target, maximize, and manual. In Episode 86 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales explains how they work and why some are more effective than others. She addresses your questions, including the differences between target-based and maximize-based bidding and whether there are still valid use cases for manual bidding in 2025. Jyll also provides a detailed breakdown of how to troubleshoot campaigns with low search volume and high CPCs by analyzing impression share and conversion rate.
Key topics discussed:

• The fundamental differences between maximize and target bid strategies
• Why Smart Bidding beats manual bidding for most campaigns
• When to use click-based vs. conversion-based bid strategies
• A framework for troubleshooting high CPCs and low conversion volume

Plus, stay tuned until the end of the episode for a new Insider Challenge to solve!
Do you have a question for Jyll? Drop a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or any of her social media posts, and she'll answer it for you in an upcoming episode.
You can get Inside Google Ads episode transcripts delivered to your inbox each week by signing up for free at https://free.jyll.ca/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86
Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86
Inside Google Ads course
Join more than 400+ Google Ads practitioners in Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll find up-to-date Google Ads tutorials, including in-depth lessons about troubleshooting bid strategy issues, and you can ask Jyll your questions at an exclusive live video call every single month. Learn more at https://learn.jyll.ca/iga?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86
Resources mentioned in this episode

• Inside Google Ads podcast: Episode 77 - Every Bid Strategy Explained https://jyll.ca/insidegoogleads/77?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86

Read more about this topic on Jyll's Google Ads Blog

• Manual vs. Smart Bidding in Google Ads: Which is Right for You? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/manual-vs-smart-bidding-in-google-ads-which-is-right-for-you?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86
• Maximize Conversions vs. Target CPA: A Complete Google Ads Guide https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/do-you-need-to-set-a-target-cpa-with-maximize-conversions-bidding?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86
• Maximize Conversion Value vs Target ROAS: https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/maximize-conversion-value-vs-target-roas-how-google-ads-bid-strategies-work?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode86

Follow Jyll on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales
https://www.youtube.com/@the_google_pro
https://www.instagram.com/the_google_pro
https://www.threads.net/@the_google_pro