If you already know exactly how much you want to spend on a Google Ads campaign, setting a total campaign budget can help you manage that spend clearly and confidently. This option gives you control over your overall advertising costs while still allowing Google’s system the flexibility it needs to optimize delivery.
What Is a Campaign Total Budget?
A campaign total budget allows you to set a fixed amount you plan to spend over the entire duration of a campaign. Unlike daily budgets that aim for a specific average daily spending, a campaign total budget considers the entire campaign period and adjusts daily spending to stay within that total amount. You will never be charged more than your specified total budget.
This budget type works well when you have a set promotional or seasonal budget and want predictable, controlled spending.
How Is It Different From an Average Daily Budget?
When you set an average daily budget, Google Ads establishes a daily spending limit. On any given day, the actual spend might be higher or lower than that amount, but over a month, you should stay close to the average. With a total budget, you know exactly how much you want your entire campaign to cost, and the system works toward that goal throughout the campaign’s lifetime campaign.
Average daily budgets offer flexibility if your spending needs vary daily. Campaign total budgets provide certainty when you already know your total spend and want to stay within it.
How to Set Up a Campaign Total Budget
Using a campaign total budget is straightforward:
Go to your Campaigns section in Google Ads.
Click the plus button to create a campaign.
Follow the setup steps for your campaign goals, bidding strategy, and creative assets.
When you get to the Budget section, pick Campaign total budget.
Enter your total budget and choose a start and end date.
You can change the end date later if you need to extend your campaign or adjust the timing.
Important Things to Know
Once a campaign is created, you cannot switch between average daily budgets and total campaign budgets.
Total budgets are only available for campaigns created after this option was introduced. Older campaigns can keep their existing budget type.
Google Ads continues to optimize your ad delivery based on your goals and bid strategy, even with a total budget.
Best Practices for Better Results
To get the most out of a campaign total budget:
Avoid making frequent changes to your budget and end date. Major adjustments can impact how the system learns and spends.
If your campaign uses smart bidding, keep in mind that optimization still relies on performance trends over time.
Plan promotions, overlaps with other campaigns, and seasonal timing in advance so the system can distribute spend evenly toward your total budget goal.
Campaign total budgets are a useful option for advertisers who want clear spending limits and predictable costs. By setting one fixed budget for the whole campaign, you can concentrate on performance and strategy without constantly watching daily spending. This method is especially effective for time-bound promotions, seasonal campaigns, or any situation where you already know your overall advertising budget.
Before selecting a campaign’s total budget, ensure your timeline, goals, and bidding strategy are clearly defined. With proper setup, this budget type can provide you with confidence, control, and flexibility, while still enabling Google Ads to optimize delivery and performance throughout your campaign’s duration. Need help with this or any other aspect of your digital marketing strategy? Contact us!
The post A Simple Guide to Campaign Total Budgets in Google Ads appeared first on SunnySide Social Media.