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# How Google Ads Conversions (conv. by time) works

# Google Ads “Conversions (conv. by time) ” 

When reviewing Google Ads performance, it’s common to notice that your **conversion totals don’t always match your store or wetracked.io**. This often leads to confusion and the assumption that tracking is incorrect.

In most cases, this difference is caused by how Google Ads **assigns conversion dates**—specifically, the difference between ***standard attribution*** and ***Conversions (conv. by time)*** reporting.
This guide explains what “Conversions (conv. by time) ” means, why the numbers differ, and when to use each view.

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## What Is “Conversion by Time” in Google Ads?
Google Ads offers **two ways to display conversions**, depending on how you want them dated in reports.

1. Standard Attribution (Default View)
By default, Google Ads shows conversions on the **date the ad was clicked**, not the date the purchase occurred.
This view is designed for **campaign performance analysis and bidding optimization**.

Example:  
* Ad click - Dec 10
* Purchase - Dec 13
* the sale will get attributed on date of Ad click (Dec 10) 
---

2. Conversion by Time
“Conversions (conv. by time)” displays conversions on the **actual date and time the purchase happened**. "The conversion itself does not change—only the **reporting date** does"

Example:
* Ad click - Dec 10
* Purchase - Dec 13
* The sale will get attributed on Purchase date (Dec 13)
---
## 1. Why don’t my Google Ads conversions match my store?

This is **expected behavior**.
By default, Google Ads reports conversions based on the **date the ad was clicked**, while your store records conversions based on the **actual purchase date**.

**Example:**
* Ad click: November 12
* Purchase: November 14
Your store shows: 38 purchases on November 14
Google Ads (standard attribution) may show: 20 purchases on November 14
The remaining 18 conversions can/are attributed to the click date (Nov 12). The conversions are accurate; only the reporting date differs.

---
## 2. What is “Conversion by Time” in Google Ads?

“Conversions (conv. by time)” is a reporting view in Google Ads that **shows conversions on the date the purchase actually occurred**, rather than the ad click date.
**Example:**
* Ad click: Dec 10
* Purchase: Dec 13
* Standard attribution → sale attributed to Dec 10
* Conversion by Time (column) → sale attributed to Dec 13
The **conversion itself doesn’t change**, only how it is displayed in reports.

---
## 3. Does this mean my tracking is incorrect?

No. Your tracking is accurate. Google Ads is simply **assigning conversions to different reporting dates** based on its attribution settings.

---
## 4. How does wetracked.io handle conversions?

wetracked.io sends **exact purchase data** to Google Ads, including:
* Purchase event
* Purchase value
* Exact timestamp
Google Ads then decides which date the conversion appears on in reports, depending on your attribution view.

---
# When to Use Each Reporting View

### Use Standard Attribution If You Want To:
* Evaluate performance based on when ads generated clicks
* Analyze campaigns within a specific date range
* View data the same way Google uses it for bidding and optimization

### Use Conversions (conv. by time) If You Want To:
* Compare Google Ads data with your store or wetracked.io
* Understand revenue by the day it actually occurred
* See accurate daily conversion totals
* Analyze sale days, drops, and prom

---
## 5. How do I add the “Conversions (conv. by time)” column in Google Ads?

1. Open [Google Ads](https://ads.google.com/)
2. Go to **Campaigns** or **Ad Groups**
3. Click **Columns → Modify columns**
4. Search for **“by conv. time”**
5. Enable **Conversions (by conv. time)**
6. Click **Apply**

*This will display conversions by the actual purchase date, making your daily totals match your store or wetracked.io.*

![select column button](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/1/6/6/a1668bda1c6d3000/image_i8wln4.png =1000x434)


![look for "Conversion" and select (conv. by time) column then hit apply](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/1/6/6/a1668bda1c6d3000/image_v316ei.png =1000x466)
---
## 6. Key Takeaways

* Standard attribution shows conversions on the **click date**, which can differ from store data
* Conversion by Time shows conversions on the **actual purchase date**
* Switching views does **not affect campaigns or attribution**
* wetracked.io sends accurate timestamps; Google Ads controls how conversions are displayed

| Understanding this difference helps you trust your tracking and accurately interpret reports without assuming data errors