Google Ads Local Campaigns: Upgrade Local Campaigns To Performance Max

Earlier this year, Google shared details about the Google Ads self-upgrade tool for upgrading Smart Shopping and Local campaigns to Performance Max.

The Google Ads Local Campaigns Self-Upgrading Tool is now available to eligible advertisers and will continue to roll out in phases.

We highly recommend using the tool to upgrade your campaigns as quickly as possible to get a head start on the holiday season. You will have access to the self-upgrade tool before the automatic upgrades begin. 

If you choose not to use the self-upgrade tool, you’ll receive a notification in Google Ads a few weeks before your campaigns will automatically upgrade to help you get ready.

If your Google Ads campaigns are ineligible for the Self-Upgrade Tool and have not been notified of the Auto-Upgrade, your local campaigns will not upgrade to Performance Max until 2023. 

If your campaigns have access to the Self-Upgrade Tool and do not do the Auto-Upgrade by the end of September, you will continue to have access to the Auto-Upgrade Tool Self-upgrade until the automatic upgrade resumes in 2023. This will ensure that you don’t see any campaign disruption during the busy holiday season.

What Happens To My Previous Google Ads Local Campaigns?

After upgrading to Performance Max, your previous local campaigns will be set to the “Removed” status. You will not be able to modify or reactivate these campaigns or create new local campaigns once your campaigns start the automatic upgrade. Historical data from the Campaigns page or Google Ads overview page will continue to be available. Campaigns that improve store goals should be created in Performance Max. Find more details about the upgrade process in the Help Center.

Upgrade to Performance Max as soon as possible to make sure you’re in shape for the upcoming holiday season. You can also visit the Help Center for additional best practices, and mark your calendars for Think Retail to hear about the latest holiday trends and ways you can equip your business.

Written by Uzair Kharawala

Founder of SF Digital Studios, a Google Premier Partner agency. Uzair has been helping businesses grow with Google Ads since 2002 and teaches it every week on YouTube.