To stop Google Ads from applying recommendations automatically, open Recommendations → Auto-apply settings, uncheck the recommendations you want to disable, and select Save.
That stops future applications of those recommendation types. It does not undo changes already made to your campaigns.
Turn off the recommendations you do not want
Google's documented Manage flow is:
- Open Recommendations within the Campaigns menu.
- Select Auto-apply settings.
- Uncheck each recommendation you want to turn off.
- Select Save.
You can also open the History tab in Auto-apply settings, select a recommendation, and choose Disable. Account settings under Admin may show your subscribed recommendations and a link back to these settings.
The layout can differ between accounts. After saving, reopen the settings to confirm the intended recommendations are disabled. Follow the controls shown in your account rather than assuming that switching a control saves the change immediately.
Check what was already changed
Review the auto-apply History tab and the account's Change history for the period you are investigating. Google documents how to check when a recommendation was enabled and which user opted in.
For each applied change, identify the affected campaign and what changed. Pay particular attention to keyword additions, match types, conversion-related settings, and bid strategies. Compare the change date with performance, allowing for the delay between an ad click and a recorded lead or sale.
If you find a change you do not want, review how to reverse that particular change. Turning auto-apply off will not restore the earlier settings, and a drop in results after a change does not by itself prove the change caused it.
Decide which changes need your review
I prefer to review changes that affect where the account spends money or which outcomes it optimizes. A keyword recommendation can be relevant to the business and still attract searches I would not want to pay for. A bidding recommendation needs to be considered alongside the conversion actions and budget.
You can still use Recommendations with auto-apply disabled. Open a suggestion, inspect the proposed changes, and apply it if it fits the account. For example, before accepting new keywords, check the search intent, existing coverage, and whether the landing page answers the search.
Do not assume this one setting controls every automated feature in Google Ads. Campaign asset settings and other automation have their own controls. If the unexpected change was to ad text or assets, inspect the relevant campaign settings as well as the recommendation history.
What about optimization score?
Optimization score is Google's estimate of how the account is configured to perform. It is not a measure of your profit or lead quality. Google's documentation says the score reflects account settings, performance information, available recommendations, and recommendation history. How optimization score works.
Evaluate a recommendation on its likely effect on the account, rather than accepting it just to raise that score. Dismissing a recommendation is also not a permanent block: eligible suggestions can return after a period of time. Google's dismissal guidance.
After disabling auto-apply, record the date and the settings you changed. At your next review, check both the saved settings and Change history so you know whether the account is operating as intended.