AI Audits, Free Audits, and Paid Audits (Episode 513)
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “AI Audits, Free Audits, and Paid Audits (Episode 513)” inside PodZeus.
AI-powered 'clodits'—automated audits generated by tools like ChatGPT or Claude—are flooding the Google Ads space, often delivering dangerous, hyper-segmented recommendations based on surface-level data without understanding real-world strategy. Joey Bidner warns that these AI audits misinterpret metrics like customer value and conversion types, leading to harmful changes in bidding and segmentation. He argues that AI should be used only for targeted, intentional tasks—like analyzing search term data or generating ad copy—not for sweeping strategic overhauls. Chris Shafer expands on this by defining three audit types: free audits should answer one critical question—'Are you wasting money?'—by exposing major red flags like 90% brand-only traffic or competitor keyword hijacking; paid audits must go further, offering actionable fixes and clear implementation steps; and the most valuable form isn't an audit at all, but a hands-on, transparent coaching session where an expert dives into your account, makes changes, and walks you through them. The episode concludes with a strong endorsement of Optio’s new AI-powered tool, which enables real-time, data-driven conversations with your Google Ads account—offering a 28-day free trial for listeners.
AI audits often misinterpret data and recommend dangerous hyper-segmentation due to lack of strategic understanding.
Free audits should only answer one question: 'Are you wasting money?' and expose critical failures like brand-only traffic or competitor keyword hijacking.
Paid audits must provide specific, actionable fixes—not just diagnosis—like exact negative keywords, bidding adjustments, and campaign restructuring.
The highest-value service isn't an audit—it's a hands-on coaching session where an expert makes changes in your account and explains them live.
Use AI only for specific tasks: analyzing search terms, generating ad copy variations, or digging into funnel data—not for open-ended 'optimize my account' requests.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to AI Audits and the Clodit Trend
Chris introduces the episode and welcomes Joey Bidner to discuss the growing trend of AI-powered account audits—commonly called 'clodits'—and their impact on Google Ads management.
The Dangers of AI Audits: Misleading Recommendations
“If I were to have just listened to this AI agent and segmented my campaigns... it would have resulted in a segmentation. It likely would have hurt the campaign because we would have segmented our data.”
Real-World Examples of AI Audit Failures
“The algorithm didn't see that... it just saw ones and zeros as the conversions. And yes, we did get more store visits on the lower spending platform on mobile. But when we look at conversion value, it was the opposite.”
How to Use AI Responsibly in PPC
“Use it for very intentional questions... asking it to dig into specific things and come with analytic answers as opposed to strategy suggestions.”
Free Audits: What They Should and Shouldn’t Do
Chris defines the purpose of a free audit: to answer one core question—'Are you wasting money?'—by identifying critical failures like 90% brand traffic or competitor keyword hijacking.
“or Claude didn't see that. It just saw ones and zeros as the conversions. And yes, we did get more store visits on the lower spending platform on mobile. But when we look at conversion value, it was the opposite.”
“or correlation analysis within that campaign. Asking it to dig into specific things and come with analytic answers as opposed to strategy suggestions”
“A free audit should answer a very basic question. Are you wasting money?”
Host
Guest
Chris Shafer
person
Joey Bidner
person
Optio
product
ChatGPT
product
Claude
product
Shopify
product
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “AI Audits, Free Audits, and Paid Audits (Episode 513)” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime