Summary
An optimization score of 73.5% is an estimate of how well the account is set to perform. It is calculated from the recommendations Google has generated, each weighted by expected impact and campaign spend, and it moves when you apply or dismiss them. Treat it as a checklist of pending actions, not as a measure of clicks, spend or leads.
Nitin Batra is a Google Ads Search certified professional who manages live search accounts and works through the Recommendations page and optimization score on client accounts as part of routine account reviews.
Last updated: August 23, 2026
An optimization score of 73.5% is an estimate of how well the account is set to perform, calculated from applied and pending recommendations in the Recommendations page, not from spend, CTR or leads.
- An estimate of how well the account is set to perform
- The percentage of the budget that has been spent
- The average click-through rate across all campaigns
- The number of leads generated in the last 30 days
The correct answer is: An estimate of how well the account is set to perform
Key Takeaways
- – An optimization score of 73.5% is an estimate of how well the account is set to perform, shown on a 0% to 100% scale.
- – The score is driven by pending recommendations on the Recommendations page, and each recommendation is weighted by expected impact and campaign spend.
- – Dismissing a recommendation raises the score just as applying it does, because the score measures resolved recommendations, not results delivered.
- – A high optimization score does not guarantee better conversions or ROAS, so never apply recommendations in bulk without checking whether they fit the account strategy.
Where do I find the optimization score in Google Ads?
Open the Google Ads account and go to the Recommendations page from the left navigation. The score sits at the top of that page for the account, and you can filter it by campaign type. You can also add an Optimization score column in the Campaigns view to see the score campaign by campaign.
Does applying every recommendation to reach 100% improve performance?
No. The score is an estimate based on Google’s automated suggestions, not a measured outcome. Some recommendations, like adding broad match keywords or raising budgets, may not suit a tightly controlled lead generation account. Review each one against your targets and dismiss the ones that do not fit.
Why did my optimization score go up after I dismissed a recommendation?
Dismissing a recommendation removes it from the pending list, so its weight no longer drags the score down. This is expected behaviour and is why the score should not be read as a performance metric. It reflects how many recommendations you have acted on, in either direction.
Which campaign types have an optimization score?
Search, Shopping, Display, Video, App, Performance Max and Demand Gen campaigns get scores, and eligible enabled campaigns roll up into the account score. Removed and paused campaigns are excluded. Manager accounts show a combined score across the linked accounts you have access to.