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What is Google App Campaigns (GAC)?

Definition, examples, and more

Definition

A Google Ads campaign type that automatically promotes your app across Google Search, Play Store, YouTube, and the Display Network. GAC uses machine learning to optimize ad placements and creative variations for installs, in-app actions, or subscription conversions.

How to Calculate

Cost Per Trial = Total GAC Spend / Trial Starts. Cost Per Subscriber = Total GAC Spend / Paid Conversions. ROAS = Revenue from GAC Users / Total GAC Spend. For example: $10,000 / 1,125 subscribers = $8.89 cost per subscriber. If annual plan = $59.99: ROAS = (1,125 x $59.99) / $10,000 = 6.75x.

Example

A productivity app runs a GAC campaign optimizing for 'trial start' events. They provide 5 headline variations, 3 descriptions, and 2 video assets. Google's ML tests combinations across Search, Play Store, and YouTube, spending $10,000/month. The campaign generates 2,500 trial starts at $4.00 per trial, with 45% converting to paid — a $5.56 effective cost per subscriber.

Why Google App Campaigns (GAC) Matters

GAC is one of the most scalable acquisition channels for Android subscription apps because Google's ML does the heavy lifting. A meditation app was manually managing campaigns across Search, Display, and YouTube separately. After consolidating into GAC optimized for subscription events, their cost per subscriber dropped 35% because the algorithm found efficient placements the team never would have discovered manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I optimize GAC for installs or in-app events?

Always optimize for in-app events (like trial start or subscription purchase) rather than installs. Install-optimized campaigns attract low-quality users who never convert. Event-optimized campaigns cost more per install but deliver users who are far more likely to subscribe. Feed your subscription events from Botsi to Google for best results.

How much creative do I need for Google App Campaigns?

Provide the maximum: up to 5 text headlines, 5 descriptions, 20 images, and 20 videos. More creative gives Google's ML more combinations to test, leading to better performance. Refresh creative every 4-6 weeks to combat ad fatigue. Video assets, especially short (15-30 second) demos, tend to drive the best subscription conversion rates.

How do I track GAC performance for subscription apps?

Set up server-to-server conversion tracking by sending subscription events from Botsi to Google Ads. This allows GAC to optimize for high-value users, not just installers. Track cost per subscriber and ROAS by campaign, not just CPI. Use Google's conversion value reporting to see which campaigns drive the most lifetime revenue.

Category
Subscription App Terminology
Related Area
Mobile App Growth & Monetization

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