skill-041-smart-bidding-learning-phase-monitoring

Skill 041: Smart Bidding Learning Phase Monitoring

Purpose

Smart Bidding algorithms need time to learn optimal bid patterns. During learning, performance may be volatile, making changes extends the learning period, and evaluation of strategy effectiveness is unreliable. This skill identifies campaigns in learning phase, assesses expected exit timing, and flags disruptions that may extend learning.

Data Requirements

Data Source: Custom GAQL Required

The standard export does not include campaign primary status or learning phase indicators.

Standard Data:

• data/account/campaigns/*/campaign.md - Bidding strategy type, status
• data/performance/campaigns/*/campaign_metrics_30_days.md - Daily performance trends

GAQL Query:

SELECT
  campaign.id,
  campaign.name,
  campaign.bidding_strategy_type,
  campaign.primary_status,
  campaign.primary_status_reasons,
  bidding_strategy.status,
  bidding_strategy.type,
  metrics.conversions,
  metrics.cost_micros,
  metrics.impressions,
  segments.date
FROM campaign
WHERE campaign.status = 'ENABLED'
  AND segments.date DURING LAST_14_DAYS

Run via /google-ads:get-custom with query name learning_phase_status.

Analysis Steps

1. Identify Smart Bidding campaigns: Filter for Target CPA, Target ROAS, Maximize Conversions, Maximize Conversion Value strategies.

2. Check learning phase status: Look for primary status = "LEARNING" or learning-related status reasons; identify recent strategy/setting changes (<14 days).

3. Assess learning duration: Track days since strategy change, expected remaining learning time (typically 7-14 days for new strategies).

4. Identify learning disruptions: Flag frequent target adjustments, budget changes, pausing/enabling, or conversion action changes during learning.

5. Evaluate performance volatility: Compare CPA/ROAS variance during learning vs stable periods; check budget utilization.

Thresholds

Condition	Severity
Learning phase >21 days	Critical
Multiple changes during active learning	Critical
3+ strategy changes in 30 days	Critical
Learning phase >14 days + low volume (<15 conv/month)	High
<15 conversions/month during learning	High
CPA variance >50% during learning	Warning
Budget underspend >40% during learning	Warning