How to Create a Google Ads Campaign (Top 1% Tutorial — Updated 2026)
🔥 Build a search campaign the top 1% way in 2026, without burning budget on junk clicks
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If Google Ads has felt expensive or messy, this is my full, updated walkthrough on how to create a Google Ads campaign with a clean campaign setup that’s built to convert.
I start inside your Google ads account and show the choices that matter most: campaign type, campaign goals, and what to ignore so you don’t overcomplicate a new campaign.
From there, I build a search campaign structure that stays tight: one clear theme per ad group, keywords picked for real buying intent, and a negative keyword plan to cut waste early.
I also show how I write ads that match the search, and when to use match types so your google ad spend stays under control.
You’ll see how I think about conversion tracking, what counts as a conversion, and why that setup changes everything once you start optimising.
Finally, I cover bids and bidding strategies, including when automated bidding helps and when manual control is smarter, depending on your data.
⏩ Skip to Section
0:00 Create a new campaign fast (do’s and don’ts)
0:15 Choose “Without guidance” to unlock all settings
0:40 Pick campaign type and start a Search campaign
1:16 Set bidding to Maximise conversions (skip Maximise clicks)
2:06 Cut waste: turn off extra networks and set locations to Presence
3:53 Control delivery: ad rotation, ad schedule, and key settings
4:48 Avoid the traps: skip AI Max and don’t let AI write ads
5:03 Build your first ad group, add keywords, and add assets
6:40 After launch: add negative keywords (ad group + account level)
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📚 Related resources
What Is Phrase Match Keywords Google Ads? 3 Types [2026]: https://josiahroche.co/blog/phrase-ma...
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❓FAQs
Q1 What campaign type should I choose when I create a Google Ads campaign?
If you need leads now, I start with a search campaign because it targets high intent searches and gives you the clearest control over keyword targeting and ads.
Q2 What campaign goals should I set in a new campaign?
I set campaign goals around the action I want, like calls or form fills, then I make sure the conversion action matches that goal so Google Ads optimises properly.
Q3 How do I pick the right keyword list without wasting budget?
I focus on intent first, so keywords that include service, pricing, quote, book, near me, or specific product names, then I trim anything that pulls in research traffic.
Q4 How many keywords should be in each ad group?
I keep an ad group tight, usually a small cluster of closely related keywords, because it makes the google ad copy more relevant and improves performance.
Q5 Do I need conversion tracking before I spend anything?
Yes, because without conversion tracking you can’t judge what’s working, and automated bidding has nothing reliable to optimise towards.
Q6 Should I use automated bidding right away?
Sometimes, but only if conversion tracking is solid and you expect enough conversions; otherwise I start with a controlled bid approach and switch bidding strategies once data is stable.
Q7 What’s the fastest way to stop irrelevant clicks in Google Ads?
Build a negative keyword list from day one and review the search terms report regularly, because that’s where most wasted spend hides.
Q8 What’s a sensible way to set my first bids?
I set a starting bid based on what I can afford per click and per lead, then I adjust bids using real conversion data instead of reacting to a single day.
Q9 Can I use my homepage, or should I use a landing page?
A focused landing page normally converts better because it matches the keyword and google ad message, keeps the next step obvious, and removes distractions.
Q10 When I’m doing campaign setup, what’s one thing people forget?
They skip negatives, so I always add negative keywords in the ad group and at the account level right after the campaign is live.
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