Theo is looking to improve his Google Search Ads campaign. On his Google Ads Recommendations page, he notices that his Google Search campaign has an optimization score of 75%. What does this mean?

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Lata Bala

Illustration of Theo reviewing a Google Ads campaign with a 75% optimization score and recommendation list

I recently passed the Google Ads Search Certification exam (yep, right from my little desk at home!) and scored over 95%. Felt pretty great! 😊 Now, I want to share one of the actual questions I got — and walk you through the right answer and why the others were wrong.

Question:

Theo is looking to improve his Google Search Ads campaign. On his Google Ads Recommendations page, he notices that his Google Search campaign has an optimization score of 75%.

What does this mean?

  • The campaign is performing better than 75% of all search campaigns.
  • The campaign is performing 25% under budget, as defined by Theo.
  • The campaign could improve by following the listed recommendations in Theo’s account.
  • The campaign needs a 75% improvement to be fully optimized for Theo’s goals.

Here is a correct answer:
✅ The campaign could improve by following the listed recommendations in Theo’s account.

If you are interested, you can take the exam on Google Ads Search Certification.

✅ Why This Is Correct:

The optimization score in Google Ads is a real-time, performance-based metric that shows how well your campaign is set up to perform. A score of 75% means your campaign is 75% optimized, and there’s still room for a 25% improvement based on Google’s AI-driven suggestions.

These suggestions are found under the Recommendations tab, and they include actions like:

  • Adding responsive search ads
  • Adjusting bids and budgets
  • Applying automated bidding strategies
  • Removing redundant keywords
  • Enabling site link extensions

The key takeaway: It’s not a score of how well you’re performing compared to others. It’s about how well your campaign aligns with Google’s optimization best practices.

❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

OptionWhy It’s Incorrect
The campaign is performing better than 75% of all search campaigns.❌ This is a common misconception. The optimization score is not comparative — it’s a campaign-specific score.
The campaign is performing 25% under budget, as defined by Theo.❌ Optimization score is not about spend or budget usage. It’s about how well your setup follows best practices.
The campaign needs a 75% improvement to be fully optimized.❌ No — a 75% score means you’re already partially optimized. You only need a 25% improvement to reach 100%.

Real-Life Example:

Let’s say Theo runs ads for an online meal prep service. He logs into Google Ads and sees:

  • Optimization Score: 75%
  • Recommendation: “Add responsive search ad with 3 more headlines”

He applies the recommendation. His score increases to 80%, and he starts seeing:

  • Better CTR (Click-Through Rate)
  • More impressions for relevant queries
  • Lower cost per click over time

➡ By gradually applying these AI-powered suggestions, Theo’s campaign becomes smarter and more competitive.

Additional Resources:

FAQs

Q1: Does a 100% score mean my campaign is perfect?

Not necessarily. It means you’ve applied all of Google’s current suggestions, but you should still monitor performance, test variations, and refine strategy based on your goals.

Q2: Should I apply all recommendations automatically?

No. Review each suggestion carefully. Some may not align with your business objectives or targeting strategy.

Q3: Is the optimization score updated in real time?

Yes. Google continuously updates the score and suggestions based on your campaign’s performance and new opportunities.

Q4: Can I reach 100% optimization score?

Yes! By applying all actionable recommendations. But remember, not every suggestion is required — use your business goals to guide final decisions.

Q5: Will optimization score directly affect my campaign performance?

Not by itself. But applying relevant recommendations can lead to performance improvements in CTR, conversions, and CPC.

Q6: Is optimization score the same as Quality Score?

No. Optimization score is a real-time recommendation-based score. Quality Score is a diagnostic metric for ad relevance and expected CTR

Conclusion:

An optimization score of 75% means that Theo’s campaign is on the right track — but there’s still room to grow.

✅ By applying the tailored recommendations in the account, Theo can improve his campaign’s effectiveness, increase ad exposure, and potentially lower costs — all without increasing budget.

Now, if you are ready, you can take the Google Skillshop test for the Google Ads Search Exam. If you want more questions about the Google Ads Search Certification Exam, keep following.