“JavaScript feels like gibberish”
“I don’t know code”
“I am afraid it will mess up my account”
“How do I know it won’t spend my complete budget?”
Many PPC practitioners are afraid of Google Ads Scripts.
Wrongfully so!
Scripts don’t have to be scary. Even if you have zero coding experience and the sight of JavaScript makes you run to the hills.
Here are some common questions and my answers to help you confidently reap the benefits of Google Ads Scripts.
Q: “Do I need to be a coder to use Google Ads Scripts?”
No. You can start using scripts without any coding skills. It’s as simple as copy-paste. Just follow these instructions.
Many scripts are plug-and-play – you copy pre-written code and adjust a few settings (like email addresses, spreadsheet URLs, budget settings or click thresholds).
Only if you want to make major changes to existing scripts, or you want to create your own scripts, you would need to create your own code.
So, no need to know JavaScript before you can reap the benefits of scripts.
Here you can find a list of scripts that are ready for you to copy-paste in your own accounts.
Q: “How can I be sure a script won’t mess up my account?”
Google Ads provides a “Preview” mode for scripts. This lets you run the script in a test mode to see what changes it would make, without actually applying them.
I recommend you always preview first – it’s a safety net to catch anything unexpected.
Additionally, stick to scripts from reputable sources (Google’s documentation, known PPC blogs, or community-vetted code).
Read any descriptions or comments in the code; authors often explain what the script does.
PRO TIP: if you do not see or understand the comments in the code, ask an AI like ChatGPT to explain the code for you and document the code.
Start with read-only or alert scripts (e.g. a broken-link checker or a very simple report) before trying scripts that make changes. This way you build trust by seeing the script in action without risk.
Q: “What if something goes wrong – can I undo it?”
Yes. Changes made by scripts show up in your account’s change history and can be rolled back.
For example, if a script accidentally paused the wrong keywords, you can resume them via change history.
TIP: It’s wise to always Preview first, and test new scripts on a small scale – for instance, run it on one campaign or a test account first.
Q: “I’m still anxious… how do I get comfortable with scripts?”
I recommend you start small and build confidence.
Try a simple script (for example, one that just monitors your ads or sends an email report) to see how it works.
Follow blogs like Search Engine Land, or community forums like Reddit’s r/PPC – many users share beginner-friendly scripts and their experiences, so you know which are safe and useful.
You’ll find that scripts often act as a “second pair of eyes” on your accounts, without changing anything in the accounts.
By using scripts gradually, you’ll gain familiarity.
Each success (like automating a tedious task or catching an error in time) will replace fear with confidence.
Remember that feeling “scared” at first is normal, but with precautions like having ChatGPT explain the code and using the Google Ads Scripts Preview feature, you can harness scripts to save time and avoid mistakes – not cause them!
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