Updated September 2026: Google Ads still lets you duplicate a campaign directly from the campaign table. This is useful when you want to reuse a proven structure, but you need to know what does—and does not—come across with the copy.
Quick answer: Go to Campaigns → Campaigns, select the campaign, choose Edit → Copy, then Edit → Paste. If you do not want the duplicate to start spending immediately, select Pause new campaign after pasting.
How to Duplicate a Google Ads Campaign
- Open your Google Ads account.
- Go to Campaigns.
- Open the Campaigns table.
- Select the campaign you want to duplicate.
- Choose Edit → Copy.
- Choose Edit → Paste.
- Enable Pause new campaign after pasting if you want to review it before launch.
- Open the new campaign and review every setting before enabling it.
Official reference: Google Ads — Create and manage more than one campaign.
What Gets Copied?
Google says campaign copying can transfer the campaign structure and relevant settings, including:
- campaign settings;
- ad groups;
- ads/assets where applicable;
- keywords;
- audiences/targeting;
- other structural configuration.
The exact items depend on campaign type and feature compatibility.
What Does NOT Get Copied?
Historical performance
The duplicate does not inherit historical impressions, clicks, conversions or other performance history as if it were the same campaign.
Bid strategy learning
Google states that bid-strategy learning/history does not transfer with the copied campaign. The new campaign may therefore enter a new learning/calibration period.
Feeds
Feeds cannot be copied directly in the normal copy/paste process and may need to be attached manually.
Cross-account copy in the web UI
You can duplicate campaigns within the same account using the Google Ads interface, but Google says copying directly between different accounts requires Google Ads Editor.
Official reference: Google Ads — Copy and paste campaigns, ad groups, ads, audiences and keywords.
Best Practice: Paste the Campaign as Paused
This is the safest option.
Before enabling the duplicate, check:
- budget;
- start/end dates;
- location targeting;
- language;
- conversion goals;
- bid strategy;
- target CPA/ROAS;
- final URLs;
- tracking templates;
- negative keywords;
- audiences;
- brand exclusions/inclusions;
- assets;
- Merchant Center/feed links where relevant.
A copied campaign can look identical but still be wrong for the new objective.
When Duplicating a Campaign Makes Sense
1. New geography
You might copy a successful Dubai campaign to create a separate Abu Dhabi campaign, then change location, budget, ad copy and landing pages.
2. Separate language
Copying can be useful when creating an Arabic version of an English campaign, but do not simply translate keywords/ad copy without validating Arabic search intent.
3. Testing a different bid strategy
A duplicate can be useful for controlled testing in some situations, but Google Ads Experiments may be a better choice when you specifically want an A/B test with cleaner traffic allocation.
4. New service/product line
If the new service has similar structure but different keywords, ads and economics, a duplicate can save setup time.
5. Seasonal variation
You can duplicate a campaign for a seasonal promotion, then update dates, offers, landing pages and budget.
When You Should NOT Duplicate a Campaign
To escape poor performance
Duplicating an underperforming campaign does not fix bad tracking, poor landing pages, irrelevant queries or weak economics.
To bypass a suspension
Never copy campaigns into another account to evade Google Ads enforcement. Creating or using another account to bypass a suspension can trigger Circumventing Systems enforcement.
To reset Smart Bidding
A new campaign loses useful historical context and may need to relearn. Do not duplicate only because performance dipped for a few days.
To create lots of nearly identical campaigns
Over-fragmentation can split conversion data and budgets. Use separate campaigns only when geography, economics, objectives, inventory or control needs justify it.
How to Copy a Campaign to Another Google Ads Account
Google’s web interface does not directly copy a campaign from one Google Ads account to another. Use Google Ads Editor:
- Open/download both accounts in Google Ads Editor.
- Select the campaign in the source account.
- Copy it.
- Switch to the destination account.
- Paste the campaign.
- Review errors/warnings and account-specific settings.
- Post the changes when ready.
After cross-account copying, double-check account-level conversions, shared budgets, portfolio bid strategies, audiences, billing-independent settings and feed/product connections.
Duplicating Performance Max Campaigns
For Performance Max, review more than the basic campaign settings. Check:
- asset groups;
- listing groups;
- Merchant Center association;
- conversion goals;
- search themes;
- audience signals;
- brand guidelines;
- brand exclusions;
- location settings;
- URL expansion settings;
- budget and bidding targets.
Do not assume every account-linked element follows the copy automatically.
Duplicating Search Campaigns
After copying Search, review:
- keyword match types;
- negative keywords;
- responsive search ads;
- sitelinks/callouts/other assets;
- location assets;
- conversion actions;
- search partners/network settings;
- URL tracking;
- bid strategy.
Does Duplicating a Campaign Reset Performance?
The duplicate starts as a new campaign. Historical performance data and bid-learning history do not transfer as a continuation of the original.
That means you should expect the new campaign to establish its own performance profile. This is one reason I prefer editing an existing good campaign unless there is a clear reason to separate it.
Campaign Duplicate Checklist
- Copy the right campaign.
- Paste as paused.
- Rename it clearly.
- Change geography/language if needed.
- Review budget.
- Review conversion goals.
- Review bid strategy and targets.
- Review ads/assets.
- Review keywords/search themes.
- Review negatives.
- Review landing pages.
- Reconnect feeds if needed.
- Confirm tracking.
- Enable only after QA.
FAQ
Can I duplicate a Google Ads campaign?
Yes. In the web interface, select the campaign and use Edit → Copy, then Edit → Paste.
Can I duplicate it as paused?
Yes. Google provides an option to pause new campaigns after pasting.
Does the duplicate keep conversion history?
No. Historical performance and bid-strategy learning do not carry over as if it were the same campaign.
Can I copy a campaign to another account?
Yes, but Google says you need Google Ads Editor for direct cross-account copying.
Can feeds be copied?
Google says feeds cannot be copied/pasted directly and need to be attached manually where required.
Related Guides
Final Takeaway
Duplicate campaigns to save setup time—not to hide problems. Paste the copy as paused, review account-specific settings carefully, and remember that historical performance and bid learning do not transfer. For another account, use Google Ads Editor rather than the normal web copy/paste workflow.