Google Ads glossary

What Is Search Lost Impression Share (Budget)?

Definition

Search lost impression share due to budget estimates the percentage of eligible Search impressions missed because the campaign's budget was insufficient.

How Search Lost Impression Share (Budget) Works

Google estimates how often budget constraints kept the campaign from serving. The metric is reported as a percentage and is distinct from loss caused by Ad Rank.

A Simple Example

If a profitable campaign has 20% Search lost IS (budget), more daily budget may unlock additional eligible visibility—but not necessarily at the same marginal return.

Why Search Lost Impression Share (Budget) Matters

It helps separate a spending constraint from a competitiveness or relevance problem.

Common Misreading

It is not a promise that raising the budget will preserve CPA or ROAS. The additional auctions can be less profitable than the current ones.