Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need API access or special permissions?

No. The script uses Google Ads Scripts (built into every Google Ads account) and writes to Google Sheets. No API setup required.

How long does installation take?

5 minutes for the script, plus first run time (30-90 seconds depending on account size).

Can I use this with multiple accounts?

Yes. Either install the script in each account separately, or use the MCC version to manage multiple client accounts from one script.

Will this change my Google Ads account or campaigns?

No. The script only reads data. It cannot and does not make any changes to your campaigns, ads, budgets, or settings.

What if I don't know my brand terms?

Leave it blank. It's optional. You can add brand terms later if you want branded vs non-branded search analysis.

Should I use 30 days or 90 days of data?

Start with 30 days (default). Only increase if you need longer trend analysis or have very low volume campaigns. More days = slower execution.

E-commerce vs Lead Gen - which am I?

E-commerce if you sell products online (revenue tracking). Lead Gen if you track leads, bookings, quotes, form fills (no direct revenue per conversion).

Why don't I see any data in my sheet?

Why are there blanks showing in search categories?

"Blank" means no search term data is available for that traffic. Google withholds search terms for low-volume queries to protect user privacy. This is normal and happens to all accounts. The script categorizes these as "Blank" so you can see how much of your traffic has hidden search terms. You can't do anything about it - it's a Google privacy policy.

Some columns are empty - is that normal?

Yes. Google doesn't provide all data for all campaigns. For example, search term data might be limited if you're new or low volume.

Can I edit the sheet?

Don't edit the data tabs - the script overwrites them. You can add your own tabs for analysis, but keep the script's tabs untouched.

How often should I run the script?

Daily is recommended. Set up a time-driven trigger to run every morning at 6-7am. This keeps your data fresh without requiring manual runs.

Script times out / execution exceeded 5 minutes

Reduce the number of days you're pulling data for. Start with 14 days, increase if it works. Large accounts may need to stay at 7-14 days. Also try disabling asset fatigue analysis (RUN_ASSET_FATIGUE_ANALYSIS = false).

"Cannot access sheet" error

Your SHEET_URL is either wrong, or you don't have edit permissions on that sheet. Make sure you own the sheet and the URL is correct.

Data doesn't match Google Ads UI

Date ranges might differ, or you're comparing different metrics. The script pulls exactly what Google's API provides. Check that both are using the same date range and timezone.

Script worked yesterday, broken today

Google sometimes makes API changes. Check the members area for updates or post your logs in the Q&A section.

How do I know when there's a new version?

Check the members area script section. New versions are announced there. You'll see version numbers (v90, v91, etc.).

Do I have to upgrade?

Not immediately. Old versions keep working. Upgrade when you want new features or if your current version breaks due to Google API changes.

Will upgrading lose my data?

No. Your old sheet with historical data stays intact. You can copy the new script to use the same sheet, or create a new sheet for the upgraded version.