Manual CPC vs smart bidding — which one do you start with on a new account?

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New account. Zero data. Zero conversion history.
I know smart bidding needs data to work properly. So should I always start manual CPC to build up history first?
Or is there a case where starting with maximize clicks or maximize conversions from day one makes sense?
Just want to know what most experienced people actually do on a fresh account with no history.
Thanks
 
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On a brand new account, I usually start manual CPC or maximize clicks first. Gives you some data without FB/Google guessing too hard. Once you hit ~20–30 conversions, then I switch to smart bidding—it actually performs. Starting smart from zero usually wastes budget.
 
It depends on budget and expected conversion volume. For accounts likely to generate conversions quickly, I go straight to Maximize Conversions. If volume will be very low, Maximize Clicks can help gather data first.
 
A brand-new account with no conversion data, I'd usually start with Manual CPC or Maximize Clicks to gather some initial data first. Once you have enough conversions coming in, smart bidding tends to perform much better.
 
Always set limits manually with CPM because Google sometimes really messes things up and you end up paying incredibly ridiculous fees.
 
always start manual till you get some conversion, smart bidding just wastes budget on zero data accounts
 
I usually start with Maximize Clicks to get data faster, then switch to smart bidding once theres enough conversion data coming in.
 
For a brand new account, I usually prefer starting with Manual CPC. It gives you more control over your budget and data until the algorithm has enough conversion data to make smart bidding effective.
 
Experts use Manual CPC on low-budget or niche accounts to prevent the algorithm from overspending. This allows them to manuall test keywords and build a clean negative keyword list first.
 
imo if ur account is totally new with zero data, start with manual CPC or maximize clicks first to get some traffic and conversion history. smart bidding really needs data to work well, otherwise it can spend weirdly. once u have enough conversions (like 15–30 in the past 30 days), then switching to target CPA or maximize conversions usually gives better results. some ppl try smart bidding from day 1 but it’s kinda hit or miss without history.
 
Use manual bidding if you have a tight budget and need to stretch every dollar until your pixel registers 30 to 50 conversions. It requires more daily management, but it prevents the algorithm from blindly guessing with your money.
 
Start with Maximize Clicks this is the best way to get fast, affordable traffic and data into a brand-new account. Once you build up about 30 conversions, switch to Smart Bidding.
 
On a fresh account with zero data, most start with Manual CPC or Max Clicks to build clean data first, then switch to Smart Bidding like Max Conversions once enough conversion history is available.
 
I usually start with Smart Bidding if conversion tracking is set up correctly. google's automation tends to learn faster and scale more efficiently than Manual CPC.
 
I usually start with Maximize Clicks to gather data faster, then switch to Maximize Conversions once the account has enough conversion history.
 
manual cpc first, but not just to collect data. the real reason is you need to build a solid negative keyword list before handing control to the algorithm

ive seen accounts switch to smart bidding too early and the algo starts eating budget on irrelevant broad match terms because there were no negatives in place

spend 2-3 weeks on manual, clean up the search terms report, then switch
 
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