April 21, 2026

Google has announced an update to its Gambling and Games policy, allowing online gambling ads in Alberta, Canada, starting May 4, 2026. The change permits advertising from operators authorized by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. What’s allowed Lotteries: Must be run by government entities or federally licensedSports betting, online casinos, fantasy sports: Must […]

Google Introduces AI-Qualified Call Leads (April 21, 2026) Google has introduced AI-qualified call leads in Google Ads, enhancing how call campaign performance is measured. Instead of relying mainly on call duration, the system now uses AI to assess the quality of calls and identify valuable leads. The feature filters out low-value interactions such as spam

ChatGPT has started testing CPC (cost-per-click) ads for some advertisers, allowing campaign goals like Reach or Clicks and setting a max CPC bid of $3–$5. Credit to Juozas Kaziukėnas & Glenn Gabe for sharing the initial screenshots!

Yelp is pushing deeper into AI with a new assistant that helps people search, compare, and book in one conversation. It can recommend businesses, explain why they match, and complete actions like reservations, orders, or appointments without sending users somewhere else. With more integrations across healthcare, beauty, home services, and food delivery, Yelp is moving

Google is adding new AI safety features to Ads Advisor and this feels like a practical step forward. The update helps advertisers spot policy issues earlier, monitor account security around the clock, and speed up certifications with much less manual work. That means fewer delays, fewer account risks, and more time to focus on campaign

ChatGPT has started testing CPC (cost-per-click) ads for some advertisers, allowing campaign goals like Reach or Clicks and setting a max CPC bid of $3–$5. Credit to Juozas Kaziukėnas & Glenn Gabe for sharing the initial screenshots!

Arpan Banerjee discovered that YouTube is testing a new CTA!

Thomas Eccel discovered that lift studies have moved to the experiment page.

Many advertisers still treat Merchant Center as a “set it and forget it” tool. Upload a feed → connect Google Ads → sales start coming in. But in 2026, Merchant Center has evolved into something much bigger. It’s no longer just a product feed. It’s a product data engine that directly impacts performance, scaling, and