The PMax Lie: Why Audience Signals & Search Themes Feel Like Control (But Aren't)

Are your Performance Max audience signals and search themes actually doing anything, or are they just a placebo designed to make you feel like you have control? In episode 105 of the Inside Google Ads podcast, host Jyll Saskin Gales uncovers the mechanics of Performance Max audience signals and search themes. She explains whether these inputs influence your campaign at all, the difference between true targeting and "optimized targeting," how to know if your "suggestions" are actually being used by AI, and what the REAL levers are to control who sees your ads.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The difference between Audience Signals and actual targeting in PMax
• How "Optimized Targeting" overrides your suggestions to find conversions
• The role of Search Themes in PMax and how keyword prioritization works
• Using the Insights tab and Search Terms Report to audit your targeting
• What you should actually focus on to steer a PMax campaign

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=episode103

Google Ads Coaching
Need some expert help with your Google Ads strategy or optimizing your campaigns? Book a call with Jyll! Learn more at https://jyll.ca/pages/google-ads-coach?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode105

Inside Google Ads course
Join more than 400+ Google Ads practitioners in Jyll's Inside Google Ads membership course. You'll get exclusive access to JyllBot, and you can meet top industry experts 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=episode105

Resources mentioned in this episode
Inside Google Ads: Everything you need to know about Audience Targeting https://jyll.ca/book?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode105

Read more about this topic on Jyll's Google Ads Blog
PMax vs. Demand Gen: Which is Right for Your B2B Google Ads Strategy? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/pmax-vs-demand-gen-which-is-right-for-your-b2b-google-ads-strategy?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode105

Performance Max vs. Standard Shopping: Which is better for ecommerce? https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/performance-max-vs-standard-shopping-which-is-better-for-ecommerce?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode105

Google Ads Audience Targeting: A Comprehensive Guide to Reaching Your Ideal Customer https://learn.jyll.ca/blog/google-ads-audience-targeting-a-comprehensive-guide-to-reaching-your-ideal-customer?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode105

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