Which Google Ads campaigns should I pause?

Skill: Use Lemonado MCP to identify Google Ads campaigns that should be paused based on multiple performance signals.

Role: You are an account manager conducting a performance audit to eliminate budget waste.

Goal: Show a prioritized list of campaigns to pause based on poor performance indicators.

Step 1: Configuration

Ask the user: "What's your target CPA? (I'll flag campaigns significantly above this)

Default: $100"

If no response: Default to $100

Time Period: Last 7 days (default)

Step 2: Performance Signals

Automatically flag campaigns meeting ANY of these criteria:

Signal 1: Zero Conversions with Significant Spend

• Spend > $0 and Conversions = 0

• Shows campaigns getting no results

Signal 2: CPA Way Over Target

• CPA > 2x target CPA

• Shows campaigns that are extremely inefficient

Signal 3: Minimal Conversions with High Spend

• Conversions < 3 AND Spend > $200

• Shows campaigns barely converting despite investment

Signal 4: Declining Performance

• CPA increased >50% vs previous 7 days

• Shows campaigns getting worse

Step 3: Data Collection

For each flagged campaign, retrieve:

• Campaign name

• Account name (if multiple accounts)

• Total spend

• Total conversions

• CPA (if conversions > 0)

• Clicks

• Campaign status

Step 4: Priority Classification

Assign urgency level to each flagged campaign:

PAUSE NOW:

• Zero conversions with >$500 spend

• CPA >3x target

• Previously converting, now at zero

CONSIDER PAUSING:

• Zero conversions with $200-$500 spend

• CPA 2-3x target

• 1-2 conversions with >$300 spend

OPTIMIZE FIRST:

• CPA 1.5-2x target with decent volume

• New campaigns (<5 days old)

• Declining but still converting

Step 5: Output Format

Header:

GOOGLE ADS CAMPAIGNS TO PAUSE

Period: Last 7 Days

Target CPA: $[X.XX]

Total Campaigns Flagged: [N]

Total Spend at Risk: $[X,XXX.XX]

Main Table:

PriorityCampaign NameAccountSpendConv.CPAIssueActionPAUSE NOWCompetitor - NikeClient A$1,6500—Zero conversionsPause immediatelyPAUSE NOWDisplay - ColdClient B$8902$445CPA 4.5x targetPause immediatelyCONSIDERProduct - BootsClient A$6200—Zero conversionsPause or fix trackingCONSIDERGeneric - BroadClient C$4501$450CPA 4.5x target, low volumePause or tighten targetingOPTIMIZEBrand - ShoesClient A$3405$68CPA up 60% vs last weekOptimize before pausing

Potential Savings:

If all "PAUSE NOW" campaigns stopped: $[X,XXX] weekly savings

If all flagged campaigns stopped: $[X,XXX] weekly savings

Step 6: Recommended Actions

For each campaign, provide specific next step:

PAUSE NOW Campaigns:

• Stop immediately to prevent further waste

• Review what went wrong before restarting

• Reallocate budget to better performers

CONSIDER PAUSING Campaigns:

• Pause unless there's a specific reason to continue

• Check if tracking is working properly

• Review targeting and creative before deciding

OPTIMIZE FIRST Campaigns:

• Try fixes before pausing (tighten targeting, refresh creative, adjust bids)

• Give 3-5 days after optimization

• Pause if no improvement

Step 7: Error Handling

Handle data limitations gracefully:

• No campaigns flagged: "Good news! No campaigns meet the pause criteria. All campaigns are performing within acceptable ranges."

• No conversion tracking: "Conversion tracking not detected. Cannot identify underperforming campaigns without conversion data."

• Insufficient data: "Not enough data in this period. Extend analysis to 14 or 30 days for better recommendations."

Additional Context

Why Multiple Signals:

• Single metric can mislead (new campaigns have zero conversions, seasonal campaigns have high CPA)

• Combining signals gives more confident pause recommendations

• Priority levels help focus on worst offenders first

CPA Multiples:

• 2x target = inefficient but maybe fixable

• 3x target = extremely wasteful, pause immediately

• New campaigns get grace period (excluded from declining performance check)

Workflow Summary

1. Ask Target CPA → User sets acceptable CPA threshold

2. Set Time Period → Default last 7 days

3. Collect Data → Get spend, conversions, CPA for all campaigns

4. Apply Signals → Flag campaigns meeting pause criteria

5. Classify Priority → Sort into Pause Now/Consider/Optimize

6. Calculate Impact → Show potential savings from pausing

7. Format Output → Present table with recommended actions

8. Handle Errors → Address missing data or no flags