Quick answer: Open Google Ads, go to your campaign's Settings, scroll to "Start and end dates," pick a future date, and save. By default, Google starts campaigns today the moment your first ad is approved.
Why Set a Google Ad Start Date?
Google Ads defaults every new campaign to "today." Your ads go live as soon as they clear the approval process. Setting a future start date gives you full control over exactly when your budget starts spending.
When your campaign begins immediately vs. on a scheduled date
Leave the start date as "today" and your campaign launches automatically after ad approval. Set a future date and nothing runs until that day arrives. Your ads must also be approved before anything shows.
Use cases for delayed start dates
Promotions, product launches, and seasonal campaigns all benefit from a scheduled start. You can build and review your campaign days in advance. No premature spend. No accidental early launches.
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How to Set a Campaign Start Date in Google Ads
Per Google's Ads Help Center, start and end dates live inside campaign settings. Four steps to find and set them.
Step 1: Navigate to Campaigns and select your campaign
Sign in to Google Ads. Click Campaigns in the left navigation menu. Select the campaign you want to schedule.
Step 2: Open campaign settings and find Start and end dates
Click Settings in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Start and end dates section.
Step 3: Choose your start date from the calendar
Click the Start date field. A calendar picker appears. Select the date you want your campaign to begin running.
Step 4: Save your changes
Click Save. Google confirms the updated start date. Your campaign will not spend a dollar until that date arrives.
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Important Things to Know About Start Dates
A few behaviors catch advertisers off guard. Know these before you schedule anything.
Default behavior: campaigns start as soon as ads are approved
Google sets the default start date to "today." Your campaign goes live the moment your first ad is approved, not when you click save.
You can only edit a start date before it passes
Per Google Ads documentation, once a start date has passed you cannot change it. Set your date early if there is any chance you will need to adjust your timeline.
Campaign begins when both the date arrives AND your first ad is approved
Two things must happen before your ads appear. The scheduled start date must arrive. And at least one ad in the campaign must be approved. Both conditions are required. A future date alone is not enough.
Time zones and account settings affect when the campaign actually starts
Google Ads runs campaigns based on your account's configured time zone, not your local time. A campaign set to start June 1 goes live at midnight in your account's time zone. Check this setting before scheduling anything time-sensitive.
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Ad Scheduling vs. Campaign Start Dates
These two features control different things. Mixing them up is a common mistake.
Use campaign start dates for when your overall campaign goes live
A start date is a one-time gate. It controls when Google begins running the campaign at all. Think of it as the on switch for your campaign's entire lifetime.
Use ad scheduling for day-of-week and hour-of-day targeting
Ad scheduling lets you show ads only on specific days or hours. Per Google's Ads Help Center, you can set up to 6 ad schedules per day per campaign. Like start dates, ad schedules run on your account's time zone. Adjust them if your customers are in a different region.
You can combine both features for precise control
Set a start date to control when the campaign launches. Add an ad schedule to control exactly which hours your budget runs. Together they give you tight command over spend timing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Google Ads start date after setting it?
Yes, but only before the start date arrives. Once the date has passed, Google Ads locks it and you cannot edit it. Change your start date as early as possible if your timeline might shift.
What happens if my ads are not approved by my start date?
Your campaign will not run until at least one ad is approved, even if the start date has already arrived. Both conditions must be met: the scheduled date arrives and an ad clears the approval review.
Does Google Ads run campaigns in my local time zone?
No. Google Ads uses your account's configured time zone for all campaign start dates and ad schedules. Check your account time zone settings before scheduling anything time-sensitive.
What is the difference between a campaign start date and an ad schedule?
A campaign start date is a one-time gate that controls when your campaign begins running at all. An ad schedule controls which days and hours of the week your ads are eligible to show. You can use both together for precise control over timing and spend.