google-ads
SKILL.md
Google Ads Skill
Manage Google Ads accounts via API or browser automation.
Mode Selection
Check which mode to use:
- API Mode - If user has
google-ads.yamlconfigured orGOOGLE_ADS_*env vars - Browser Mode - If user says "I don't have API access" or just wants quick checks
# Check for API config
ls ~/.google-ads.yaml 2>/dev/null || ls google-ads.yaml 2>/dev/null
If no config found, ask: "Do you have Google Ads API credentials, or should I use browser automation?"
Browser Automation Mode (Universal)
Requirements: User logged into ads.google.com in browser
Setup
- User opens ads.google.com and logs in
- User clicks Clawdbot Browser Relay toolbar icon (badge ON)
- Use
browsertool withprofile="chrome"
Common Workflows
Get Campaign Performance
1. Navigate to: ads.google.com/aw/campaigns
2. Set date range (top right date picker)
3. Snapshot the campaigns table
4. Parse: Campaign, Status, Budget, Cost, Conversions, Cost/Conv
Find Zero-Conversion Keywords (Wasted Spend)
1. Navigate to: ads.google.com/aw/keywords
2. Click "Add filter" → Conversions → Less than → 1
3. Click "Add filter" → Cost → Greater than → [threshold, e.g., $500]
4. Sort by Cost descending
5. Snapshot table for analysis
Pause Keywords/Campaigns
1. Navigate to keywords or campaigns view
2. Check boxes for items to pause
3. Click "Edit" dropdown → "Pause"
4. Confirm action
Download Reports
1. Navigate to desired view (campaigns, keywords, etc.)
2. Click "Download" icon (top right of table)
3. Select format (CSV recommended)
4. File downloads to user's Downloads folder
For detailed browser selectors: See references/browser-workflows.md
API Mode (Power Users)
Requirements: Google Ads API developer token + OAuth credentials
Setup Check
# Verify google-ads SDK
python -c "from google.ads.googleads.client import GoogleAdsClient; print('OK')"
# Check config
cat ~/.google-ads.yaml
Common Operations
Query Campaign Performance
from google.ads.googleads.client import GoogleAdsClient
client = GoogleAdsClient.load_from_storage()
ga_service = client.get_service("GoogleAdsService")
query = """
SELECT campaign.name, campaign.status,
metrics.cost_micros, metrics.conversions,
metrics.cost_per_conversion
FROM campaign
WHERE segments.date DURING LAST_30_DAYS
ORDER BY metrics.cost_micros DESC
"""
response = ga_service.search(customer_id=CUSTOMER_ID, query=query)
Find Zero-Conversion Keywords
query = """
SELECT ad_group_criterion.keyword.text,
campaign.name, metrics.cost_micros
FROM keyword_view
WHERE metrics.conversions = 0
AND metrics.cost_micros > 500000000
AND segments.date DURING LAST_90_DAYS
ORDER BY metrics.cost_micros DESC
"""
Pause Keywords
operations = []
for keyword_id in keywords_to_pause:
operation = client.get_type("AdGroupCriterionOperation")
operation.update.resource_name = f"customers/{customer_id}/adGroupCriteria/{ad_group_id}~{keyword_id}"
operation.update.status = client.enums.AdGroupCriterionStatusEnum.PAUSED
operations.append(operation)
service.mutate_ad_group_criteria(customer_id=customer_id, operations=operations)
For full API reference: See references/api-setup.md
Audit Checklist
Quick health check for any Google Ads account:
| Check | Browser Path | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-conv keywords | Keywords → Filter: Conv<1, Cost>$500 | Wasted spend |
| Empty ad groups | Ad Groups → Filter: Ads=0 | No creative running |
| Policy violations | Campaigns → Status column | Yellow warning icons |
| Optimization Score | Overview page (top right) | Below 70% = action needed |
| Conversion tracking | Tools → Conversions | Inactive/no recent data |
Output Formats
When reporting findings, use tables:
## Campaign Performance (Last 30 Days)
| Campaign | Cost | Conv | CPA | Status |
|----------|------|------|-----|--------|
| Branded | $5K | 50 | $100| ✅ Good |
| SDK Web | $10K | 2 | $5K | ❌ Pause |
## Recommended Actions
1. **PAUSE**: SDK Web campaign ($5K CPA)
2. **INCREASE**: Branded budget (strong performer)
Troubleshooting
Browser Mode Issues
- Can't see data: Check user is on correct account (top right account selector)
- Slow loading: Google Ads UI is heavy; wait for tables to fully load
- Session expired: User needs to re-login to ads.google.com
API Mode Issues
- Authentication failed: Refresh OAuth token, check
google-ads.yaml - Developer token rejected: Ensure token is approved (not test mode)
- Customer ID error: Use 10-digit ID without dashes