How I Prepped My Paid Search Account Before Vacation

(So I Didn’t Return to Any Performance Surprises)

Taking a vacation as a paid search marketer can feel… risky. When you’re managing high-stakes budgets and fast-moving channels, the idea of stepping away for a week or two can bring more stress than rest.

This summer, I took a two-week vacation, and before I left, I put a few systems in place to make sure my paid search account stayed stable while I was offline. With winter vacations around the corner, I wanted to share the process—because everyone deserves time off without dreading what their dashboards will look like when they get back.

Here are the steps I took to make sure performance stayed on track so I could have a worry-free vacation.

1. Lock Down the Account Before You Leave

A few days before any trip, I stop all major changes. That means:

• No big keyword additions
• No new experiments
• No bid strategy or target changes
• No sweeping campaign restructures

This “cool down” window gives the account time to stabilize. You don’t want fresh tests learning or major adjustments in motion when you’re not available to monitor them. Stability is the safest foundation you can set before stepping away.

2. Set Automated Rules as a Safety Net

Automation is powerful, but you still want a plan for unexpected drops. I set up a few rules so that if metrics fall below a certain threshold, a change will get applied to stop further performance slides. For example if an ad group spend $XX.XX without a conversion, I can pause it out instead of just letting it spend money.

Think of them as your backup guardrails—quietly working in the background and preventing waste without requiring manual oversight. It’s not a replacement for active management, but it’s a smart buffer when you can’t check performance daily.

3. Enable Alerts for Anything That Needs a Human Check

Automation is powerful, but you still want a plan for unexpected drops. I set up performance alerts so that if metrics fall below a certain threshold, an email gets sent directly to my backup.

The thresholds don’t have to be complicated—they just need to notify someone early enough to take action if something truly goes wrong.

This ensures that if performance shifts, someone can investigate instead of waiting days for you to return.

The Result: A Smooth-Running Account and a Stress-Free Return

The best part of this process? I came back to an account performing almost exactly the way I left it—steady, predictable, and free from unpleasant surprises.

Taking time off shouldn’t mean taking a gamble with your performance. With a few smart prep steps, you can unplug confidently and enjoy your vacation the way you’re supposed to.

Are you planning a trip this winter? I’d love to hear where you’re headed. Lear a comment below or visit the contact me page.