Managing Google Ads budgets efficiently ensures cost control, optimal pacing, and high ROI. Instead of manually adjusting budgets, these automation scripts help you monitor, pause, and adjust campaign budgets automatically.

Here are 10 powerful scripts primarily designed for single accounts, with some adaptable for MCC, to help control budgets, prevent overspending, and optimize spending patterns.

Essential note: Scripts have been around for a long time and have saved PPC advertisers countless hours, but they’re also prone to sudden changes, breakdowns, or deprecations. Many agencies and SEA specialists have transitioned to no-code alternatives. Jump to the end if you’d like to achieve similar automations without scripts using Shopstory (for free).

1. Flexible Budget Adjuster Script

This script from Google Developers dynamically adjusts campaign budgets daily based on a custom distribution model. It allocates more budget on high-performing days while scaling down when necessary. It is designed for single accounts but can be modified for MCC. 

However, it doesn’t react to real-time performance changes beyond predefined rules, so advertisers must manually configure distribution weights.

2. Get Budget Alerts When Approaching Limit

This script from Search Engine Land sends an email notification when a campaign nears its daily or monthly budget. It helps advertisers react before an overspend occurs but does not take action to pause or adjust the budget.

While effective at early detection, it does not pause or adjust your budget automatically. If alerts are ignored or missed, overspending can still happen. This script is most useful when combined with other automations or manual oversight.

3. Cap Google Ads Budget to Prevent Overspending

This script from Nils Rooijmans prevents budget overages by pausing campaigns once the daily limit is reached. It ensures advertisers never exceed their planned budget, but there’s a catch: paused campaigns will not automatically restart the next day. 

If not manually re-enabled, campaigns may remain inactive, resulting in lost traffic and potential missed conversions. Advertisers should monitor paused campaigns and restart them daily or modify the script to automate reactivation.

4. Script to Pause Campaigns Exceeding Daily Budget

This script, also from Nils Rooijmans, tracks your daily ad spend and pauses campaigns once a set threshold is reached. 

It effectively stops overspending but does not resume campaigns automatically. Advertisers must closely watch paused campaigns to avoid losing traffic longer than intended.

5. Daily & Monthly Budget Cap Management Script

Available via Search Engine Land, this script spreads budgets evenly throughout the month by adjusting daily limits based on remaining spend.

It works well for consistent campaigns but can be restrictive if demand spikes. On a high-performing day, it may limit spending and cause missed opportunities. Seasonal advertisers should adjust it accordingly.

6. Advanced Budget Tracking & Reporting Script

This script, also from Search Engine Land,  logs all budget changes into a Google Sheet and can automate updates if configured to do so. It offers full transparency over adjustments, and with modifications, it can track multiple accounts in an MCC setup. 

However, advertisers should carefully verify spreadsheet data to avoid unintended budget changes.

7. Budget Pacing Auto-Adjuster Script

​​This script from Cypress North monitors budget pacing across multiple campaigns and adjusts budgets to match preset targets. It can be adapted for MCC but requires modifications to handle multiple accounts. 

While effective for pacing, it doesn’t modify CPC bids. If CPCs rise unexpectedly, campaigns could still overspend. All pacing rules must be set up manually, requiring initial configuration and periodic updates."

8. Script to Control Campaign Budgets via Google Sheets

This script from Search Engine Land lets you manage and update budgets in a Google Sheet instead of within Google Ads.

It’s convenient for bulk changes, but it depends on accurate spreadsheet data. Any errors in formatting or missing information can cause the script to fail and misallocate budgets. Double-check your inputs before running it.

9. Get Alerts for Budget Overdelivery

This script from Nils Rooijmans notifies advertisers via email when a campaign exceeds a set budget threshold.

It’s helpful for early warnings but doesn’t pause or reduce budgets—only notifies. If alerts are ignored, overspending will continue. Combining it with an automated pause script can provide better budget control. 

10. Google Ads Account Budget Pacer Script (Free)

This AI-powered script from Search Engine Land uses GPT to provide budget pacing insights. It offers recommendations based on data analysis but does not directly modify your budgets. While primarily designed for single accounts, it can be extended for MCC accounts with additional customization. 

Advertisers must manually implement any recommended changes or pair it with an automation script for direct budget control.

Shopstory: A Smarter, No-Script Alternative For Google Ads Automation

Tired of dealing with broken scripts, constant fixes, and limited customization? Many advertisers have already switched from Google Ad scripts to Shopstory – a no-code tool that automates budget control without the hassle. Unlike scripts that can fail or become outdated, Shopstory offers reliable, real-time automation across Google Ads and Facebook Ads – without any coding.

With Shopstory, you get the same powerful automation without the headaches. Plus, you can set up a prebuilt template in minutes, instantly gaining more control over your ad spend and performance. It’s also free to sign up!

Prebuilt Templates to Manage Google Ads Budget

✅ Detect Burned Budget in Search and PMax campaigns
✅ Get alerts for actual vs. expected ad spend deviations (both campaign-level and account-level)
✅ Receive notifications when 80% of your daily campaign budget is spent
‍✅ Monitor cost deviations from defined benchmarks
‍✅ Get alerts for any significant campaign budget increase
‍✅ Set up instant notifications for changes in ad budget
‍✅ Enable Budget Autopilot (recommendations only or full implementation based on bid strategies)
✅ Run PMax campaigns on autopilot (adjusting based on performance & ROAS)
✅ Pause campaigns during bank holidays (or other specified dates)
‍✅ Pause campaigns based on ROAS & costs

How to Get Started (For Free!)

1. Create a free Shopstory account – just your name and email required.
2. Connect your Google Ads account in seconds.
3. Select a prebuilt automation template or create your own custom workflows.

‍

You can also automate any workflow you have in mind with our Google Ads actions – such as pausing overspending campaigns, reducing the budget for low-performing ads, or any other custom workflow you can think of!

Conclusion

Automating Google Ads – whether with scripts or a no-code platform – helps you avoid repetitive tasks and saves you time. Instead of constantly adjusting settings, you can focus on growing your business and making better decisions.

If you’re looking for an easier way to control your ad budgets, join the advertisers who’ve already made the switch to Shopstory!

‍