Have you ever run a campaign on Google Ads that didn’t perform as expected? Or maybe you’ve completed a campaign and want to clean up your account by removing the unnecessary ones. Deleting a campaign on Google Ads may seem like a straightforward task, but there are certain things you need to consider before you proceed. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps of deleting a campaign on Google Ads, as well as provide you with some tips and insights to make the process smoother.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Deleting a Campaign on Google Ads
Deleting a campaign on Google Ads may not be as simple as hitting the delete button. Google Ads has certain rules and limitations in place to ensure the integrity of your account and prevent accidental deletions. Understandably, this can be frustrating for advertisers who just want to remove a campaign quickly. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these measures are intended to protect your account from potential mistakes that could impact your advertising efforts.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you proceed with deleting a campaign on Google Ads, there are a few things you should prepare for to ensure a smooth process:
1. Take a snapshot or make a backup: Before deleting a campaign, it’s always a good idea to take a snapshot of the campaign settings, ad groups, keywords, and any other relevant data. This will serve as a backup in case you need to refer to it later or recreate the campaign.
2. Review campaign performance: Take some time to review the performance of the campaign you are planning to delete. Analyze the metrics and identify any insights that can help you improve future campaigns. This way, you can learn from past mistakes and make better decisions moving forward.
3. Keep track of campaign dependencies: If your campaign is linked to other campaigns, such as shared budgets or shared library resources, make sure you understand the dependencies and implications of deleting the campaign. Removing a campaign with dependencies can impact your overall account structure and the performance of other campaigns.
Method 1: Deleting a Campaign via the Google Ads Interface
1. Log in to your Google Ads account.
2. Navigate to the "Campaigns" tab.
3. Select the campaign you want to delete by clicking on the checkbox next to it.
4. Click on the "Edit" button and choose "Remove" from the drop-down menu.
5. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Review the message and click on "Ok" to proceed with the deletion.
Pros:
– Easy and straightforward process.
– Can be done directly within the Google Ads interface.
– Provides a confirmation pop-up to prevent accidental deletions.
Cons:
– Campaign deletion is irreversible, so be sure to double-check before confirming.
– Doesn’t allow for bulk deletion of campaigns, as you need to repeat the process for each campaign individually.
Method 2: Deleting a Campaign via Google Ads Editor
1. Download and install Google Ads Editor if you haven’t done so already.
2. Open Google Ads Editor and log in to your Google Ads account.
3. Select the "Campaigns" view from the left-hand navigation menu.
4. Locate and select the campaign you want to delete.
5. Right-click on the campaign and choose "Delete" from the context menu.
6. A confirmation dialog will appear. Review the message and click on "Yes" to confirm the deletion.
Pros:
– Provides a more robust and efficient way to manage campaigns.
– Allows for bulk deletion of campaigns by selecting multiple campaigns at once.
– Works offline, so you can make changes even without an internet connection.
Cons:
– Requires installation and learning how to use the Google Ads Editor software.
– Changes made in Google Ads Editor need to be uploaded to your account for them to take effect.
Method 3: Deleting a Campaign via Google Ads API
Deleting a campaign via the Google Ads API requires more technical knowledge and coding skills. This method is suitable for advanced users or developers who are familiar with API integrations.
1. Set up the Google Ads API and obtain necessary credentials.
2. Use the Google Ads API client library of your preferred programming language.
3. Build the necessary code to authenticate and connect to the Google Ads API.
4. Use the API to locate and delete the campaign by its ID.
5. Test and debug the code to ensure its effectiveness.
6. Run the code to delete the campaign from your Google Ads account.
Pros:
– Provides the most flexibility and customization options.
– Useful for automating campaign deletion processes or integrating with other systems.
– Works for bulk deletion by leveraging the power of the Google Ads API.
Cons:
– Requires advanced technical knowledge and coding skills.
– Involves setting up API credentials and understanding the API documentation.
– May have a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
Method 4: Deleting a Campaign via Google Ads Scripts
Google Ads Scripts allow you to automate various tasks within your Google Ads account, including campaign deletion. This method is suitable for users who are familiar with JavaScript or have some scripting experience.
1. Access the Google Ads Scripts dashboard.
2. Create a new script or open an existing one.
3. Write the necessary code to locate and delete the campaign.
4. Save and run the script to delete the campaign from your Google Ads account.
Pros:
– Automates the campaign deletion process for multiple campaigns.
– Allows for more complex scripting logic and customization.
– Provides the ability to schedule and run scripts automatically.
Cons:
– Requires basic scripting knowledge or the willingness to learn JavaScript.
– Can be time-consuming to set up the script and ensure its effectiveness.
– Scripts need to be constantly monitored and updated to adapt to changes in the Google Ads platform.
Why Can’t I Delete a Campaign?
1. The campaign is still active: If a campaign is still running or has a scheduled end date in the future, you won’t be able to delete it. You’ll need to pause or end the campaign before deleting it.
2. The campaign is linked to other accounts or services: If your campaign is linked to other accounts, such as Google Analytics or third-party tools, you may not be able to delete it directly from Google Ads. You’ll need to review the account or service settings to determine the proper steps for removal.
3. The campaign has a shared budget: If the campaign is using a shared budget with other campaigns, deleting it can impact the overall budget distribution. Consider updating the shared budget configuration before proceeding with the deletion.
4. Campaign dependencies: If your campaign is using shared library resources, such as negative keyword lists or ad extensions, it may have dependencies that prevent it from being deleted. Remove the dependencies or replace them with alternatives before deleting the campaign.
Additional Tips
1. Double-check before deleting: Take a moment to review the campaign details and confirm that you are deleting the correct campaign. Once deleted, the campaign cannot be recovered.
2. Communicate changes with stakeholders: If you are working with a team or clients, inform them about the campaign deletion and any potential impacts it may have on reporting or ongoing initiatives.
3. Keep an archive of deleted campaigns: Consider creating a separate folder or document where you store details about deleted campaigns. This can serve as a reference for historical data or future analysis.
5 FAQs about Deleting a Campaign on Google Ads
Q1: Can I recover a deleted campaign on Google Ads?
A: No, once a campaign has been deleted, it cannot be recovered. It’s important to double-check before confirming the deletion.
Q2: Are there any limitations on the number of campaigns I can delete at once?
A: Yes, both the Google Ads interface and Google Ads Editor have limitations on the number of campaigns you can delete at once. For large-scale deletions, consider using the Google Ads API or Google Ads Scripts.
Q3: Will deleting a campaign affect my historical data?
A: Deleting a campaign does not remove the historical data associated with it. You can still access the campaign’s performance metrics and other relevant data.
Q4: Can I delete my campaign temporarily and restore it later?
A: No, campaign deletion is permanent, and there is no option to restore a deleted campaign. If you want to pause a campaign temporarily, consider using the pause or end date options instead.
Q5: Can I delete a campaign that is currently under review or disapproved?
A: Yes, you can delete a campaign even if it is currently under review or disapproved. However, deleting the campaign may impact the review process or prevent the campaign from being reactivated.
In Conclusion
Deleting a campaign on Google Ads requires careful consideration and planning to ensure a smooth process. By following the methods and tips outlined in this blog post, you can confidently delete campaigns that are no longer needed or underperforming. Remember to double-check and prepare for the deletion, and always keep an archive of deleted campaigns for reference.