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Google Ads scripts

Google Ads scripts are pieces of JavaScript code that run inside Google Ads, on demand or on a schedule, to read an account's data, change it and send reports.

How it works

You write scripts in an editor inside the account; Google says entry-level JavaScript is enough. Scripts can reach most Google Ads features, such as reports, bids, budgets and statuses, and outside data like a spreadsheet. A script runs on demand, or on a schedule with no one signed in. A manager script works across the client accounts under a manager account instead of one script per account.

A run is cancelled after 30 minutes, or up to 60 for manager scripts that process accounts in parallel with a callback. In Shopping, scripts manage existing campaigns, product groups and their bids, and run Shopping reports. They cannot create a Shopping campaign, set its campaign-level properties or link Merchant Center. Which scripts a store should run: Google Ads scripts for online stores.

Where you see it

  • Google Ads: Tools → Bulk actions → Scripts, with Preview, Run and Script history.
  • Google Ads API: change_event marks changes made by scripts with the client type GOOGLE_ADS_SCRIPTS.

Example

Example store, not client data.

The tableware shop schedules a daily script to flag products that spend without selling. It lists products with no orders in 30 days and spend above three times the shop’s cost per order: 3 × 133 = 399. Of the 1,200 products with impressions, 45 cross the line. The script writes them to a spreadsheet, and a person decides which to exclude.

Not to be confused with

  • Automated rules — set in a form, without code. Google suggests them for bulk changes when you don’t want to code.
  • Google Ads API — for your own software on your own servers. Scripts run on Google’s side.

Right and wrong readings

  • Wrong: “Preview showed the right changes, so the real run will do the same.” Right: preview changes no Google Ads data, so code that creates an item and then looks it up behaves differently. Email and spreadsheet calls, however, run for real.
  • Wrong: “The script timed out, so nothing changed.” Right: changes made before the 30-minute cut-off stay applied.

Sources

  • Product overview — JavaScript, scheduling, manager scripts, alternatives. Checked 2 October 2026.
  • Get started — where scripts live. Checked 2 October 2026.
  • Limits — run time limits. Checked 2 October 2026.
  • Preview Mode — what preview runs. Checked 2 October 2026.
  • Shopping campaigns — the limits in Shopping. Checked 2 October 2026.
  • ChangeClientType — Google Ads API: GOOGLE_ADS_SCRIPTS. Checked 2 October 2026.