Spam Clicks and Google Performance Max—Still a Mess

*This article is kindly contributed by StudioSpace agency PayPerClick

Performance Max campaigns have plenty of potential, but we’re still seeing major issues with where ads are being served. In particular, many accounts are paying for traffic from outside Australia—even when they think they’ve geo-targeted correctly.

There’s even talk of legal action in the US over how Google delivers PMAX placements.

What you can do:

• In your location settings, make sure you select “Presence” only (not “Presence or interest”).
• Exclude all countries except Australia unless you specifically want international traffic.
• Check placement and audience reports to monitor quality.
• Improve your website form to reduce robot spam.
• Include at least one qualifying field to ensure quality leads. Lead forms with less steps will drive more leads but lower quality. Higher intent will have more steps, less leads, but higher quality.
• Select higher value conversion metrics, higher intent, book a demo vs newsletter signup.
• Ensure you reCAPTCHA to reduce spam.

This small setting change can save you hundreds—or thousands—over the course of a campaign.