How Google Ads Smart Bidding Fails Without Conversion History

Episode 32 of The Google Ads Podcast dives into a hidden flaw in Smart Bidding — it needs conversion data to optimize, and without it, your bids can go haywire. Lucas and Luna break down the real numbers: why Google's automated bidding can increase cost per acquisition by 30-50% in the first week of a new campaign, and how to protect your budget. They cover the minimum conversion threshold (15 conversions in 30 days), the 'cold start' problem, and a practical workaround using seasonality adjustments and target CPA early-ramp strategies. Lucas shares a case study from a retail client who lost 40% of their daily budget in three hours to a Smart Bidding 'exploration' phase. No fluff — just a specific, actionable angle for PPC managers running Google Ads in June 2026. #GoogleAds #SmartBidding #PPC #PaidSearch #ConversionTracking #BidStrategy #GoogleAdsPodcast #Marketing #DigitalMarketing #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TargetCPA #SeasonalityAdjustment #AdSpend #CostPerAcquisition #CampaignOptimization #ColdStart Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo