Create a Smart Search campaign

Getting started with Smart Search campaigns takes just a few minutes. After the initial setup, Google Ads manages your campaign automatically.

When customers search for businesses like yours on Google, your ad shows in search results. On Google Maps, your ad shows directly on the map or beneath the search results. You have the option of including your business address and phone number in your ad as well. You'll only pay when someone clicks your ad, and you can edit your ad or cancel your advertising at any time.

Before you begin

Familiarize yourself with Smart campaigns.

If you haven’t already, make sure that you’ve signed up for an account.

Instructions

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Campaigns icon .
2. Click the Campaigns drop-down.
3. Click Campaigns.
4. Select the plus button , then select New campaign.
5. Select Create a campaign without a goal's guidance.
6. Choose Smart as campaign type, and click Continue.
7. Select one of your connected businesses from your Google Business Profile list, or select No, don't use this info if you want to create a campaign for a new business.
8. Click Next.
9. If you selected “No, don’t use this info”, then enter your business name and click Next.
10. Enter your website and click Next.
11. We’ll scan your website to understand what your website’s content is all about. Click Next.
12. Select your main campaign goal from the 4 available options:
    1. Get more calls
    2. Get more website sales or leads
    3. Get more visits to your physical location
    4. Get more views and engagement on YouTube
13. Click Next.
14. We’ll choose content from your website to automatically create the ad using 3 headlines and 2 descriptions.
    • Note: You can add and modify headlines and descriptions.
15. (Optional) To use a phone number on the ad, click the Show a call button in your ad checkbox and input the phone number.
16. Click Next.
17. Add your keywords themes to match your ad searches.
18. Set up your locations targeting.
19. Set up your budget.
    • Note: You can select from the Google recommended budget or you can enter your own budget based on your requirements.
20. Review the campaign you’ve created. You can make changes to the campaign if required. Click Next.
21. Install a Google tag to track your conversions or you can skip this step and set it up later.
22. You’ve created your smart campaign ad and now you can run it specifically on Google Search and Google Maps.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble creating a Smart campaign, try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Make sure you have signed into your Google Ads account.
2. Check that you have a Business Profile for your business. If not, you can create one at Business Profile.
3. Verify that your Business Profile is linked to your Google Ads account. Learn how to Link your Business Profile to your Smart campaign.
4. If you’re still having trouble, learn How Smart campaigns work.
5. Contact Google Ads support if you need additional assistance.

Related links

• Smart campaigns overview
• Link your Business Profile to your Smart campaign