Ask Is it better to let Google automate ad rotation or control it manually?

[Meridian]

Ad rotation decides how often each ad in your group gets shown. Google's automatic option favors ads that perform better over time, which sounds helpful, but it can push weaker ads out before they get enough impressions to be fairly judged. Manual rotation gives every ad equal chances so you can compare them properly. For accounts with enough traffic, automation works well. For smaller accounts still testing messaging, manual control gives cleaner data. Most marketers use automation once they have found a strong performing ad to build from. So what do you think works better for smaller accounts still in the testing phase?