Connecting Google Ads

Overview

Connecting Google Ads enables powerful paid search automation:

• Campaign creation and management
• Keyword research and optimization
• Bid management and budget allocation
• Landing page generation
• Performance tracking and reporting

This guide walks you through setting up the Google Ads connection.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Google Ads account with admin access
• Google Ads manager account (optional, for multiple clients)
• Google Ads API access enabled
• Google Cloud Project with OAuth 2.0 credentials
• af-gemini-connect account with integration permissions

Step-by-Step Connection

1. Create a Google Cloud Project

1. Go to Google Cloud Console
2. Click Create Project
3. Enter a project name (e.g., "af-gemini-connect-ads")
4. Click Create

2. Enable Google Ads API

1. In your Cloud Project, go to APIs & Services → Library
2. Search for Google Ads API
3. Click Enable

3. Create OAuth 2.0 Credentials

1. Go to APIs & Services → Credentials
2. Click Create Credentials → OAuth 2.0 Client ID
3. Configure the consent screen:
   • Application type: Web application
   • Name: af-gemini-connect
   • Authorized redirect URIs: Add https://your-domain.com/oauth/google-ads/callback
4. Click Create
5. Copy the Client ID and Client Secret

4. Link Google Ads Accounts

1. In your Google Ads account, go to Tools → API Access
2. Click Link Manager Account (if using a manager account)
3. Follow the prompts to link your accounts

5. Configure Connection in af-gemini-connect

1. In af-gemini-connect, go to Admin → Integrations
2. Select Google Ads tab
3. Click Connect Google Ads
4. Enter your Client ID and Client Secret
5. Click Authenticate
6. Approve the OAuth consent screen

6. Select Google Ads Accounts

After authentication, select which accounts to connect:

• Manager Account — Link your manager account for multiple clients
• Client Accounts — Choose specific client accounts
• Conversion Actions — Select which conversions to track
• Campaigns — Choose which campaigns to manage

Connection Health Monitoring

Once connected, monitor your Google Ads integration in the Integrations dashboard:

• Connection Status: Active/Inactive
• API Limits: Usage vs. quota limits
• Last Sync: When campaign data was last refreshed
• Error Logs: Any API errors or failures

Troubleshooting

"Invalid credentials" error

• Verify your Client ID and Client Secret are correct
• Ensure the Google Cloud Project is in the same organization as your Ads account
• Check that the Google Ads API is enabled

Missing accounts or campaigns

• Confirm you have admin access to the accounts
• Check that accounts are properly linked to your manager account
• Verify the accounts are assigned to your OAuth client ID

API quota exceeded

• Review your API usage in Google Cloud Console
• Request a quota increase if needed
• Reduce sync frequency or data volume

Token refresh failures

• Verify your redirect URI is correctly configured
• Check for IP restrictions in OAuth settings
• Ensure your app is not blocked by Google's security review

Best Practices

1. Use a dedicated Google account for your agency's API access
2. Set up proper IAM roles so team members have appropriate access
3. Monitor API usage to avoid hitting daily limits
4. Regularly review connected accounts to ensure they're still active
5. Implement error handling to gracefully handle connection failures

Next Steps

After connecting Google Ads, you can:

• Set up automated campaign creation
• Configure keyword research workflows
• Implement bid management algorithms
• Generate landing pages with AI
• Set up performance monitoring dashboards

FAQ

Q: Can I connect multiple Google Ads accounts?
A: Yes, you can connect multiple accounts through a manager account.

Q: How often does data sync?
A: Sync frequency is configurable from every 15 minutes to daily.

Q: What happens if I disconnect an account?
A: Disconnecting will stop data collection and may affect automated campaigns.

Q: Are there limits on API calls?
A: Yes, Google imposes daily quotas. Monitor usage in the Cloud Console.

Q: Can I manage Smart Campaigns?
A: Yes, but some automated features may be limited by Google's policies.