🗺️ Overview
Google Ads features in Search Atlas are split into two distinct things: what your base plan includes by default, and what the optional OTTO Google Ads add-on unlocks. Google Ads (OTTO PPC / Smart Ads) is included on every self-serve plan — Starter, Growth and Pro — for 1 connected Google Ads account and up to 10 campaigns. The OTTO Google Ads add-on ($199/month) raises this to effectively unlimited Google Ads account connections and up to 100 campaigns. This article explains the difference so you can choose the right setup for your needs.
📋 What Each Plan Includes for Google Ads
Every Search Atlas plan gives you access to the Smart Ads tool (Left sidebar → Ads). However, the scope of what you can do depends on your plan:
- Starter: Access to Smart Ads for one connected business account. Campaign creation is limited.
- Growth: Smart Ads access for one business account, with up to 10 Google Ads campaigns. Google Ads campaign creation is not automatically expanded beyond this limit.
- PRO: Smart Ads access for one business account, with up to 10 Google Ads campaigns. Same single-business, 10-campaign limit applies.
Important: The Growth and PRO plans do not automatically include multi-business or multi-account Google Ads management, nor do they raise the 10-campaign cap. That capability requires the add-on described below.
➕ What the Google Ads Add-On Unlocks ($199/month)
The Google Ads add-on is a paid upgrade available on any base plan. At $199 per month, it unlocks the following:
- Multi-business / multi-account management: Connect and manage Google Ads across more than one business or client account from a single Search Atlas workspace.
- More than 10 campaigns: Raise the default 10-campaign limit to up to 100 campaigns.
- Agency and freelancer use cases: Ideal if you manage paid search for multiple clients or brands and need centralised control.
If you only manage Google Ads for a single business and stay within 10 campaigns, your base Growth or PRO plan is sufficient and the add-on is not required.
🤖 How Smart Ads Differs from the Google Ads Add-On
Smart Ads is the Search Atlas tool you use to create, automate, and monitor your Google Ads campaigns (Left sidebar → Ads). It includes sub-sections such as Campaign Hub, Campaign Performance, Campaign Audit, Negative Keywords, and Reports.
The Google Ads add-on is not a separate tool — it is a plan-level entitlement that expands the limits of what Smart Ads can do. Think of Smart Ads as the interface and the add-on as the key that unlocks a larger capacity within that interface.
- Without the add-on: Smart Ads works for one business, up to 10 campaigns.
- With the add-on: Smart Ads works across effectively unlimited Google Ads account connections and supports up to 100 campaigns.
💡 Quick Reference: Do You Need the Add-On?
- Single business, 10 or fewer campaigns: No add-on needed. Your Growth or PRO plan covers this.
- Single business, more than 10 campaigns: Add-on required to exceed the campaign cap.
- Multiple businesses or client accounts: Add-on required for multi-account management.
- Agency managing paid search for clients: Add-on strongly recommended.
🔄 Cancelling the Add-On When Upgrading Plans
If you upgrade your base plan and wonder whether the add-on is still needed, keep the following in mind:
- The 10-campaign and single-business limits apply at every plan level (Starter, Growth, PRO) unless the add-on is active.
- Upgrading your base plan alone does not remove these limits — the add-on must remain active if you need multi-account management or more than 10 campaigns.
- If your needs change and you no longer manage multiple accounts or require more than 10 campaigns, you can cancel the add-on through your billing settings without affecting your base plan.
- Before cancelling, confirm that your active campaign count is at or below 10 and that all accounts are consolidated, to avoid losing access to campaigns that exceed the base plan limits.
📍 How to Access Google Ads Features
- Log in to Search Atlas.
- In the left sidebar, click Ads.
- From there, navigate to Campaign Hub, Campaign Performance, Campaign Audit, Negative Keywords, or Reports as needed.
- If you see a prompt to upgrade or add the Google Ads add-on, it means your current plan or add-on status does not cover the action you are trying to perform.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.