PPC Town Hall

In this episode, Fred sat down with Bia Camargo to talk about something we don’t discuss enough: most Google Ads accounts aren’t ready for AI.PMax isn’t magic. Smart bidding isn’t broken. But the problem is usually messy conversion tracking, over-complicated structure, or unclear intent signals.In this episode, Bia walks through her framework for making Google Ads accounts AI-ready:– Cleaning up conversion actions so the algorithm gets clear signals– Simplifying structure instead of over-segmenting– Using intent to guide PMax instead of trying to control it– Treating Merchant Center and feed health like ongoing plumbingIf you’re running ecommerce campaigns and wondering why automation isn’t performing the way it should, this will help.► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/2TdOEFcS2bg

We asked 8 experienced PPC practitioners to share their predictions based on what 2025 taught them — and where paid media is really headed next.In this video, you’ll hear honest, experience-backed perspectives on:- How PPC is evolving beyond keywords and rigid structures- What top-performing advertisers will do more (and less) of in 2026- Where AI genuinely improves PPC outcomes — and where it’s overhyped- Why “best practices” are no longer enough- How automation, data quality, creative, and business context now shape resultsThey’re grounded in real accounts, real budgets, and real constraints.Featuring insights from:Navah Hopkins, AJ Wilcox, Jyll Saskin Gales, Kasim Aslam, Kirk Williams, Amy Hebdon, Aaron Levy—with framing and takeaways from Optmyzr CEO and co-founder, Frederick Vallaeys.

Watch the video episode here: https://youtu.be/kbZeqEYTkeM

Host Frederick Vallaeys sits down with Julie Bacchini, PPC consultant, founder of Neptune Moon, and host of PPC Chat, to unpack how AI is really being used in PPC—and where it starts to break down.They explore where AI and automation genuinely help marketers save time, where Google Ads automation struggles (especially for lead generation), and why data volume, verification, and context matter more than ever. Frederick and Julie also discuss real risks of using AI in PPC, including incorrect data, accountability, and who owns the outcome when AI-generated insights are wrong.Julie shares practical guidance on using AI cautiously: how to validate AI outputs, why documentation is essential, when to trust automation, and how PPC professionals can use AI as an assistant—without losing control or getting burned.Follow Julie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neptunemoonFollow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/c5jjdRo3reU

Host Frederick Vallaeys sits down with Mike Rhodes, Google Ads expert, to explore how marketers can use AI and vibe coding the right way.They discuss how AI becomes truly powerful when grounded in real account context, why asking better questions matters more than the tools you use, and how marketers can build practical AI-powered tools without becoming developers.Work with Mike: https://ads2ai.com/Follow Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikerhodesideas/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/bGYkHp5xOEc

Host Frederick Vallaeys sits down with Nils Rooijmans, Google Ads scripts developer and automation expert, to introduce PPC marketers to vibe coding—a new way to build tools and workflows using AI without traditional programming.

They break down what vibe coding actually is (and what it isn’t), when it makes sense for PPC use cases, and where marketers should absolutely avoid using it. Frederick and Nils also explore real-world examples like generating Google Ads campaign assets from a landing page, rapid prototyping internal PPC tools, and deciding when scripts, APIs, or full apps are the right solution.

Nils shares how marketers can use vibe coding tools like Google AI Studio, Lovable, and V0 to move faster, while keeping humans in the loop, managing risk, and knowing when to hand things off to developers.

Work with Nils: https://nilsrooijmans.com/

Follow Nils here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilsrooijmans/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/

► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Host Frederick Vallaeys sits down with Jyll Saskin Gales, Google Ads educator, coach, and author of Inside Google Ads, to unpack how automation has changed the craft of PPC.They cover why “guiding, not controlling” is the new marketer’s mantra, how to optimize Performance Max campaigns without illusions of control, and why bidding may now matter more than targeting.Jyll also shares real-world stories from clients, her process for scaling expertise with AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM, and a fresh perspective on AI Max—Google’s latest automation layer.Work with Jyll: https://jyll.ca/Follow Jyll here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/

► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/pd3_0RNn0Ng

In this episode of PPC Town Hall, host Frederick Vallaeys (CEO & Co-founder of Optmyzr) sits down with Amy Hebdon, founder of Paid Search Magic and one of the most influential PPC experts in the industry.Amy brings 20+ years of hands-on experience in paid search and shares her perspective on how Google Ads and PPC have evolved—especially in the age of automation and generative AI. Together, Fred and Amy dive into critical topics like:- The evolution of “magic” in PPC—from manual optimizations to AI-driven automation.- How Google’s reduced transparency (e.g., limited search term visibility) impacts advertisers.- Balancing control vs. automation: when to trust AI, and when to push back.- How to use AI tools like GPT for persona research, ad copywriting, and client communication.- Crafting ads that qualify the right clicks—and intentionally discourage the wrong ones.- Demand Gen campaigns, influencers, and founder-led marketing as part of modern PPC.- The future of ads in an AI-first search experience (AI overviews, Perplexity, Claude, etc.).- Why authenticity and human connection matter more than ever in advertising.If you’re an advertiser, agency, or marketer trying to navigate the shift to AI-driven PPC, this episode will help you balance innovation with control.Check out Paid Search Magic: https://paidsearchmagic.podia.com/Follow Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhebdonFollow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/97H74PpxrIE

Frederick Vallaeys sits down with Aaron Levy, long-time PPC leader and now Optmyzr Evangelist, to talk about the future of paid search, AI, and agency life.Aaron has spent nearly 20 years in paid search, from helping DuPont launch its early marketing programs to running a 115-person team at Tinuiti. He shares lessons from his career, including why “best practices” can kill originality, how to train new PPC talent in an AI-driven world, and how agencies can balance clients, vendors, and innovation.Key discussion points:- Aaron's journey from PPC intern to industry leader- How to train junior PPCs to think beyond button-pushing- AI Max, PMax, and how search behavior is evolving- Turning client meetings into structured “prompts”- Why agencies must invest in data infrastructure over flashy tools- The risks of lazy “best practices” vs. the value of creativity- Leadership lessons from managing 100+ PPC professionalsFollow Aaron here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theaaronlevy/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/AEXzdt87ujU

Kirk Williams (Founder of ZATO Marketing) joins Frederick Vallaeys to explore how digital marketing agencies can not only survive but thrive in the new AI-powered world of advertising.As AI changes everything from campaign management to creative production, Kirk shares what it takes for agencies to stay relevant, profitable, and valuable to clients.What You’ll Learn:- Why AI isn’t the death of agencies and how it can become their superpower- How to rethink your agency’s pricing and service models- The importance of strategy, consulting, and creative in the AI era- How small-budget clients can be profitable (thanks to automation)- Real examples of using AI for ad copy, feed optimization, and more- The future of PMax campaigns, data visibility, and performance insightsFollow Kirk here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ppckirk/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/Check out ZATO marketing: https://zatomarketing.com/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/w6mD2Wv5Gh4

Is the era of the search engine over? Are we now living in the age of the Answer Engine?In this episode, Frederick Vallaeys sat down with Kasim Aslam, a trailblazer who went from running the #1 ranked Google Ads agency to becoming a pioneer in the new field of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).Kasim reveals why he sold his 8-figure agency at the "exact right time," warning that the old PPC agency model is a "hot potato" doomed to fail in the new AI-driven landscape. He argues that AI tools like Performance Max are making button-pushing obsolete and that the key to survival is to "own the prompt" by providing strategic leadership.Kasim also unpacks groundbreaking research from his new venture, AEO.co, including:- The "BRAIN" Framework: A new methodology for getting your brand mentioned by AI like ChatGPT and Gemini.- Google's Secret Strategy: Discover why Gemini's results have almost ZERO overlap with traditional Google Search and what it means for the future.- The Most Valuable Website for AI: The surprising platform that accounts for 20% of Google AI's citations (Hint: It's not what you think!).- The Death of the Keyword: Why clicks are becoming fewer, more expensive, and dramatically more valuable.Follow Kasim here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam/Follow Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickvallaeys/Check out AEO.co: https://aeo.co/► Get actionable PPC tips, strategies, and tactics from industry experts twice a month: https://www.optmyzr.com/ppctownhall/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall ► Make your PPC management less complex with Optmyzr's tools. Start a 14-day free trial today: https://tools.optmyzr.com/info/signup?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=townhall