How to Navigate Potential Bugs and Changes in Google Ads


With more bugs popping up recently and help documentation getting things wrong lately, it can be hard to know what’s what in Google Ads and other platforms we use as digital marketers.
In this blog, I want to share ways you can be successful when an alleged new change comes across your desktop.
Be Active In Your Accounts & Stay Aware
This might sound like a no-brainer, but when spotting issues in an account, your brain is your best tool. Sure, there are scripts, automation tools, and other resources to help you spot problems, but keeping an eye on your account’s performance is the most important thing.
Whenever you make a major change to a campaign, watch closely to make sure it’s performing as you expected. Look at your scheduling, search terms, location, and all other key metrics.
Keeping an eye on these will help you stay on top of things.
Check If You’re Seeing the Apparent Bug/Change
As I mentioned in the video, I checked my accounts first thing after seeing Google’s help documentation updated to say Ad Schedules weren’t supported.
By digging into the recent historical data, I saw that ad scheduling was still working just fine that day and everything seemed normal.
Reach Out to Verify If a Bug or Feature Is Intentional
One of the best resources for advertisers is Ginny Marvin, Google’s Ads Liaison. She can help confirm or deny any issues and provide clarity. The best ways to get in touch with Ginny are:
Getting clear answers is critical. You shouldn’t be making any big changes until you have all the facts. Plus, Google has said they appreciate feedback from advertisers, so speaking up is always helpful.
If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out – I’m also happy to help get the answers you need.
Prepare Your Solutions
While waiting on any type of confirmation, I like thinking through (and planning for) what would change if something came to fruition.
For example, when I saw that update about ad scheduling possibly being removed, I started brainstorming how we could manage to schedule ourselves if that feature disappeared. Scheduling is especially critical for our B2B clients, as many simply can’t handle leads outside of business hours.
So we thought through a few different solutions, like using scripts to turn campaigns on and off or setting up separate off-hours campaigns to make sure we had efficient coverage outside of business hours.
Wait for Clarity Before Making Any Big Moves
Before you jump into action based on a bug or a rumor, take the time to gather more info so you don’t waste time or effort. These days, platforms like Google Ads seem to have more bugs than ever, and many of the “big issues” the industry freaks out about turn out to be unintentional.
Bugs happen, and while inaccurate platform documentation isn’t as common, it does happen. It’s crucial to wait for solid confirmation before making any big decisions. Take a breath, get the facts, and then make your move.
If you need help working through Google Ads updates or refining your strategy, get in touch with us! We’re here to help you stay on track and make sure your campaigns are performing at their best.
Meet the Author

Greg Finn
Greg is the Head of Performance and Innovation for Cypress North's digital marketing team and one of the founders of our agency. In 2010, he and Matt Mombrea started Cypress North in Buffalo. Greg oversaw the opening of our second office in 2022, located in his hometown of Rochester.
As Head of Performance and Innovation, Greg co-manages our digital marketing department and works closely with our team to ensure all our clients achieve the best possible results. He is always looking for ways to test new digital marketing techniques and technology, and oversees all teaching and training efforts to ensure our agency stays ahead of the curve.
Greg is also a co-host of our weekly Marketing O'Clock podcast, where he and the team provide updates, insights, and hot takes on the latest SEO, PPC, and social media marketing news. In addition to weekly news shows, Greg hosts our Marketing O'Torial digital marketing tutorials and often co-hosts bonus Marketing O'Talk episodes that bring together panels of digital marketing experts.
With nearly two decades of experience, Greg is a known and trusted voice in the digital marketing community. He’s a contributor for Search Engine Land, a member of the Search Marketing Expo (SMX) programming team, and has been a featured speaker at some of the largest search engine conferences, including SMX, eSummit, and Pubcon.
When he’s not working or staying updated on the latest trends, Greg enjoys watching his kids play sports and coaching their soccer team. He’s been named the runner-up “Greg of the Year” on Marketing O’Clock’s annual Clockscars Awards four years in a row. While the coveted award has evaded him for many years, Keanu Reeves has not. Greg once saw him at Gabriel's Gate tavern in Buffalo (and noted he was very tall.)