> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.bonsaidata.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.bonsaidata.io/resources/activation/how-to-set-up-conversions-for-bonsais-buying-algorithms.md).

# How to Set Up Conversions for Bonsai's Buying Algorithms

This guide walks through how to configure conversions or pixel and campaign structure to enable Bonsai’s buying algorithms using a controlled test vs. control framework.

The goal is to:

* Introduce a Bonsai-optimized purchase conversion or pixel
* Isolate algorithm performance in test markets
* Prevent incremental spend during the testing period

***

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Grant Access to Bonsai**

Add your Bonsai Activation Lead to your Google Ads account with standard or admin permissions.

{% hint style="info" %}
This allows Bonsai to create and configure the required conversion actions.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Bonsai Creates the PCV Conversion**

Bonsai will:

* Create a new conversion action (example: `bds_pcv_conversion`)
* Configure it as a Purchase conversion and set it as a Secondary conversion

This ensures:

* Your existing optimization remains unchanged
* Bonsai can measure and optimize independently during testing
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Duplicate Existing Campaigns for the Test**

Duplicate the campaigns that will participate in the test based on the test design doc created by your Bonsai Activation Lead.

{% hint style="success" %}
Use naming convention "{existing\_campaign\_name} - Bonsai Trial” for duplicated campaigns.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Pause Test Campaigns (Temporarily)**

After duplication:

* Leave the new Bonsai Trial campaigns paused
* Final activation happens after market targeting is complete
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Assign Test Markets (DMAs) to Trial Campaigns**

Apply geo-targeting so only the selected test DMAs based on the test design doc created by your Activation Lead receive spend from the Bonsai Trial campaigns.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Exclude Test Markets from Control Campaigns**

In your original (control) campaigns:

* Add the same DMAs as negative targets

This ensures:

* No overlap between test and control
* Clean incrementality measurement
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Set Budgets on Test Campaigns**

Activate Bonsai Trial campaigns using the recommended daily budgets based on the test design doc created by your Activation Lead.

Guidelines:

* Bonsai uses historical market spend as the baseline
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Reduce Control Campaign Budgets**

{% hint style="success" %}
**To prevent incremental spend:**

Reduce control campaign daily budgets by the exact amount allocated to test campaigns.

**This keeps:**

Total spend = flat during the test period.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Launch Checklist

Before going live:

* [x] Bonsai PCV conversion created & set as secondary
* [x] Campaigns duplicated with correct naming
* [x] Test DMAs applied to trial campaigns
* [x] Test DMAs excluded from control campaigns
* [x] Budgets shifted

## What Happens Next

Once live, Bonsai will:

1. Optimize bidding using the Bonsai's buying algorithm
2. Measure performance in test vs. control markets
3. Quantify true incremental lift and efficiency gains

***

## Best Practices

* Avoid changing creatives or targeting mid-test
* Let tests run a minimum of 4 weeks (volume dependent)


---

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