ADZBE
ADZBE
Neither one is universally better: Search Ads win control and predictability on high-intent keywords, while Performance Max wins incremental reach across every Google surface at scale. The best setup in India is usually both — with a budget experiment deciding the split instead of an opinion.
30
Tracked conversions PMax needs in 30 days
6
Surfaces PMax spans in one campaign
₹15–₹80
Search CPC when keywords work
4–6 wks
Typical PMax-vs-Search test window
ADZBE is a Bengaluru & Hyderabad ads agency running Google Ads, Meta Ads, ChatGPT Ads, LinkedIn, JioHotstar, Moj and WhatsApp campaigns at ₹20,000/mo per platform (+18% GST) plus ad spend. Every engagement starts with a free performance audit and tracking wired before a rupee is spent.
Winning campaigns are by-keyword clusters with clean negatives and tested copy. When a brand term or a core money keyword must stay protected, Search is where you keep direct control.
PMax spreads your assets across Search, YouTube, Display, Maps, Gmail and Shopping in one AI-optimized campaign. Done right, it finds the buyers Search alone never shows you.
Keep Search on high-intent brand and core terms, add PMax on a test budget, then let a Google Ads experiment decide the split. Opinion doesn't scale; measured data does.
| Factor | Search Ads | Performance Max |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Full: you pick keywords, match types, negatives and bids | Low: Google's AI decides placements and audiences |
| Best for | Brand terms, core money keywords, predictable lead flow | Incremental reach across YouTube, Display, Maps and Shopping |
| Learning data | Works from day one; improves with any conversion history | Needs ~30 tracked conversions in 30 days to learn properly |
| Surfaces | Search results (and partners) | Six surfaces in one campaign: Search, YouTube, Display, Maps, Gmail, Shopping |
| Cost control | CPC ₹15–₹80, tightly bid-controlled | Blended across surfaces; efficient at scale, erratic when thin |
| Transparency | Search terms you can see and prune | Search queries largely hidden inside the black box |
| When to use | Small budgets, new accounts, brand protection | Accounts with data history and budget to absorb exploration |
Book a free performance audit — we'll map the right channels, budget and creative strategy for your business.
Book your free auditEverything founders ask before engaging us — answered with numbers, not promises.