RunAds vs Google's automation at a glance
| RunAds | AI Max for Search | Smart campaigns | Performance Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI agent across the account | Option inside a Search campaign | Simplified campaign type | Goal-based campaign type |
| Decides account structure | Yes, you approve | No | No | No |
| Writes ads | Yes, per campaign | Customizes your headlines and descriptions | Creates and tests alternate ads | Builds ads from your assets |
| Where ads show | Whatever each campaign targets | Search | Search, Maps, YouTube, partners, Display | All Google Ads inventory |
| Watches results for you | Yes: cards for budget and bid changes | Adds reporting on AI Max's impact; you act on it | You check results | You check results |
| Cost | About 5% of spend, packs from $25 | Free beyond spend | Free beyond spend | Free beyond spend |
What do Google's AI tools do?
AI Max for Search adds broader search term matching, text customization of your headlines and descriptions, and final URL expansion, which can send a searcher to a page on your site that fits better. Google reports 14% more conversions or conversion value at a similar CPA or ROAS for advertisers using it, from its internal 2025 data on non-retail advertisers.[1]
Smart campaigns are the simplest option. You write an ad, choose keyword themes and set a budget; Google shows the ad across Search, Maps, YouTube, partner sites and Display, and creates alternate versions to test. You can only create them in Smart Mode.[2]
Performance Max reaches all Google Ads inventory from one campaign, using your assets and conversion goals.[3]
All three are free beyond your ad spend, and all three work well when the inputs are right.
What do Google's tools leave to you?
- Deciding which campaigns to run: brand, competitor, Shopping, PMax, Demand Gen or Local Service Ads.
- Writing assets that match your offer and stay inside policy.
- Setting conversion tracking that counts the right action, not page views.
- Reading search terms and adding negatives, especially once AI Max widens matching.
- Moving budget between campaigns when one stops paying back.
RunAds does those parts. A mission reads your site and account, plans the campaigns, writes the ads and images, and Google dry-runs each campaign before the launch card reaches you. After launch the agent watches the account and sends budget and bid changes as cards, and Ad Grades scores every ad.[5] Google's bidding and matching keep working inside each campaign. Meta Ads opened to every RunAds account in November 2026: connect a Meta ad account and Mission Control plans and launches Meta campaigns, with Meta spend metered on the same credits.
Is the RunAds fee worth it over free Google tools?
| Monthly ad spend | Google's tools | RunAds credits |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $0 | About $50 |
| $5,000 | $0 | About $250 |
| $10,000 | $0 | About $400 to $500, or $499 every 4 weeks on Unlimited |
The fee is worth it if it saves more than it costs: an hour a week you would spend in the account, wasted clicks you would not catch, or a campaign type you would not have built. If you already check search terms and conversions every week and your account is simple, Google's tools alone may be enough.
Which fits you?
- Smart campaigns if you are a very small local business, want the fewest settings and accept less control.
- AI Max and PMax on your own if you know Google Ads and have time to police search terms and assets.
- RunAds if you want the structure decided, the ads written and every change shown to you before it runs.
RunAds pricing: credit packs from $25, used at 5 credits per $1 of Google ad spend: 4 above $10,000 a month, 3.5 above $100,000, 3 above $1,000,000. See pricing or get started.
Method
We read Google's help pages on AI Max and Smart campaigns on Nov 9, 2026, and on Performance Max on Oct 29, 2026. The 14% figure is Google's own claim and we quote it as such. RunAds is our product.