Google Ads news
Goodbye UA
Now it’s really over guys! Goodbye UA 👋
Conversion change methode GMC
Arpan Banerjee & Muhammad S. sent me this message that Google will start collecting all conversions from your website, including those attributable to clicks on your web results on Google Search and other sources.
Audience Signals for App
Thomas Eccel found out that audience signals are in beta for App campaigns!
LSA Ads change
Anthony Higman found out that Google Local Services Ads now being showcased at the top of results in the local business finder map!
New Display & Video 360 updates
Deprecating YouTube Other Content Types Exclusion Controls
:- Effective: September 2024
– Change: Embedded YouTube videos and Live streaming videos exclusion controls will be moved from line items to the advertiser level to simplify brand suitability management.
Deprecating Digital Content Labels:
– Effective: July 2024
– Change: Digital Content labels (‘G’, ‘PG’, ‘T’, ‘MA’, and ‘not-yet-rated’) exclusions will be removed. Family-friendly content settings will be moved to a new Excluded content themes panel.
Campaign Manager 360 Hard Deletion of Deprecated Ad Formats
– Effective: July 2024
– Change: Ad formats deprecated for over two years will be permanently deleted and will no longer be available for reporting.
Google Ads policy change
In July 2024, Google will update the Disclosure requirements for synthetic content under the Political content policy.
Advertisers are now required to disclose election ads that contain synthetic or digitally altered content that inauthentically depicts real or realistic-looking people or events by selecting the checkbox in the “Altered or synthetic content” section in their campaign settings.
Gambling Policy update
On July 15, 2024, the Google Ads Gambling and games policy United States country-specifics will be updated.
Google will begin to accept and run ads for lottery-couriers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Gambling Policy update
On July 15, 2024, the Google Ads Gambling and games policy United States country-specifics will be updated.
Google will begin to accept and run ads for Daily Fantasy Sports operators in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
New Updates for Display & Video 360
Report Files Download List in Instant Reporting:
Display & Video 360 and Campaign Manager 360 will introduce a new page in Instant Reporting that allows users to view the status of downloaded reports and access them once they’re ready.
User ID Redaction in Data Transfer Files:
Later this year, Google will begin redacting user IDs in Data Transfer files for Display & Video 360 and Campaign Manager 360 for users located in Florida, Texas, Oregon, and Montana. This is in response to new privacy legislation coming into effect, similar to the CCPA-related redactions implemented in California in 2020.
First Position Targeting for YouTube Instant Reserve:
Advertisers will soon be able to use first position targeting in Instant Reserve campaigns to boost brand awareness and engagement. This feature ensures ads are the first ones viewers see in their YouTube sessions and will be available for both in-stream and Shorts campaigns.
Additional Third-Party Measurement Support:
The measurement vendor Audience Project will now support on-by-default enablement for third-party reach measurement for YouTube and partners line items. Enablement can be requested by contacting support directly via chat or email.
New Help articles Merchant Center Next
Google has announced new Help articles on advanced data source management in Merchant Center Next.
These articles provide step-by-step guidance to optimize your product data and resolve issues.
The new Advanced Data Source Management add-on offers features like attribute rules and supplemental data sources to improve accuracy and enhance product information.
Release Merchant API Beta
Google has announced the new release of the Merchant API Beta. This is the newest version of the Content API for Shopping which comes with exciting new features.
No support GTM – Microsoft Internet Explorer
Starting on July 15, 2024, Google Tag and Google Tag Manager will no longer support Microsoft Internet Explorer. While scripts may still function, Google will not actively test or fix issues on Internet Explorer. This aligns with Microsoft’s decision to end Internet Explorer support on June 15, 2022.
Location Auto-migration Complete
On July 24, 2023, Google announced the automatic migration of location extensions to assets.
For the majority of accounts, location extensions were automatically migrated to assets to expand the variety of ways in which your location extensions can serve.
Accounts with no activity (no impressions, no clicks, and no spend) from July 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, were not migrated.How do I know if an account was migrated?
To find the status of an account, use the following fields of the customer resource:
– bool location_asset_auto_migration_done
– string location_asset_auto_migration_done_date_time
You will also see an alert in the Google Ads UI if your account has been migrated, and assets will appear under your account.
Server Side GTM message
If you’re using server-side Google Tag Manager (GTM) and received a warning about a critical OpenSSH vulnerability, this alert pertains to the underlying Google Cloud infrastructure that hosts your server-side GTM setup.
You do not need to do anything. Source Simo Ahava
Summer Coupons
Hana Kobzová found out that Google has released new summer coupons for new accounts.
How to get HTML5 access for Pmax
Cédric Berger found out that you get access to HTML5.Use the form below to apply for HTML5 ad access for your Google Ads account.
To qualify, your account must:
– Have a good history of policy compliance.
– Have a good payment history.
– Have spent more than USD $1,000 in total.
Google Ads will review your application and respond within 7 business days. In the meantime, you can use AMPHTML or Responsive ads.- You will automatically qualify for HTML5 access if:
– Your account has been open for over 90 days.
– Your account has a good policy compliance history.
– Your account has spent more than USD $9,000 in total.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee access. Once approved, you must maintain a good policy compliance history.
Here is the form.
New Enhanced Conversions Assist tool
Scott Carruthers found out that Google has introduced a new tool to assist enhanced conversions.
For those using Google Ads Tag conversions, it’s important to utilize Enhanced Conversions to send hashed first-party conversion data to Google, enhancing tools like Smart Bidding.
However, setting it up properly can be challenging.
That’s where EC Assist comes in…
Released recently, EC Assist is a Chrome extension designed to help troubleshoot your Enhanced Conversions setup.
It offers thorough validation across the areas where you’re using Enhanced Conversions.
You can get the Chrome extension from this link.
Feed Label
Arpan Banerjee got this mail that stated that, starting August 2024, all Shopping and Performance Max campaigns in Google Ads accounts that are currently using country of sale to match Merchant Center feeds will automatically upgrade to the new feed label functionality.
New tCpa box
Thomas Eccel found out that Demand Gen has now also a tCPA insights box!
New from Stape
Lars Friis discovered that you can sign up users for your Klaviyo newsletter directly from Google Tag Manager.
Opioids Policy
In June 2024, Google would update its Healthcare and medicines policy to allow advertisers to discuss opioid painkillers without promoting or selling them.PPC Greg now found out that they will not update this Policy due to implementation challenges!
Trouble scaling your Performance Max campaigns?
Christoph Scherf announced this new feature called Mad Pmax
This new feature merges the ease of Google Sheets with the power of Google Cloud.
Just input your PMax campaign details, asset groups, and assets into the ‘Mad PMax’ sheet, and with one click, the changes are uploaded to Google Ads.
For more information check this link.
WhatsApp contact
What? Google Ads is now pushing contact through WhatsApp!
Transit Time Label
It’s over. The Transit Time label is depreciating. Emmanuel Flossie spotted this of course. He was already on it some time ago. Google had removed the page but it quickly came back… So it looked like it was live again. But now they are officially depreciating it.
Broad match on by default
Who needs a hero when you have Thomas Eccel…
He just discovered that Broad Match was on by default when he created a new campaign…People watch out, I know he used a smart bidding strategy but still.
Merchant Center Update
Thomas Eccel found out that you can now upgrade with one click to Merchant Center Next!
People also browsed section
Saad Ali Khan found out that Google Ads is testing with the People also browsed section!
Double Row test
Google Ads is also testing with a double row in shopping! Discovered by Saad Ali Khan & Barry Schwartz.
Looker Studio Update
Google introduced two new features for Looker Studio Pro users: Formula Assist and Automated Slide Generation.
Formula Assist uses AI to provide suggestions for writing formulas, leveraging years of data. Automated Slide Generation allows users to create Google Slides decks from Looker Studio charts.
These features are available exclusively to Looker Studio Pro subscribers.
GA4 Conversion Difference
Brais Calvo Vázquez found out that GA4 has the Conversion Differences report hidden but available on many properties.
This report allows us to compare conversions exported to Google Ads and explains the discrepancies in counts between the two platforms.
You can test this by adding the following to your property URL (it doesn’t work on all of them):/advertising/key-event-differences
Entity Read Files Sunset
On October 31, 2024, Display & Video 360 Entity Read Files (ERFs) will sunset. After this date, new private and public ERFs will not be generated. ERFs were deprecated in June 2021 and the October sunset date was first announced in January 2024.
Updated the SDK implementation
Google has updated the SDK implementation best practices to reduce ANR rates. The recommended best practices are as follows: Initialize the Mobile Ads SDK on a background threadEnable optimization flag for ad loading
New Measurement from third parties Pmax
Lucien de Sévaux found out that he could now can add a third-party measurement company. Normally you need to make a request for this service, you can do that here.
Simplifying content
I got this message from a few people that Google is simplifying content targeting.
When I saw it I thought, I already have seen this before. And I was right because Brad Geddes shared this screenshot.
Maybe this is only for selected accounts, but I have received it before.
Merchant Center Next
Hana Kobzová discovered that Google will begin to automatically rollout Merchant Center Next on July 22.
Attribution problems
Tiago Goncalves just shared this message from Joran Laot about some problems that Google had with the attribution of Google Paid Traffic!
Three new BigQuery fields
Georgi Zayakov & Arpan Banerjee discovered that GA4 has added three new fields (batch_page_id, batch_ordering_id, batch_event_index) to the BigQuery Event export tables so you can replicate the browser’s collection order for events exported to BigQuery.
Google Ads Panel
Natasha Kaurra was invited to join a Google Ads Panel! If she joined she could provide feedback, get a sneak peek and imagine new experiences on Google Ads products!
Account verification Pmax exclusion
Natasha Kaurra discovered that Google now sends an authentication/verification email, only then, do they upload the list to the respective account/campaign for pmax exclusions.
In July 2024, Google will update its policies to enhance clarity and transparency for publishers.
Key changes include:
– Replacing the ‘Ads on Dynamic Content’ policy with a new ‘Ads in Private Communications’ policy. This new policy prohibits ads on screens primarily focused on private communication, such as direct messages, live chats, video chats, and private chatrooms.
– Moving the ‘Personalized Advertising’ policy from AdMob behavioral policies to the Google Publisher Policy. This change ensures that all publishers follow consistent rules regarding personalized ads, protecting user privacy and preventing discrimination.
These updates will affect how Google Ad Manager partners display Google Ads on sites and apps in the open auction.
New recommendation
Looks like Hana Kobzová found a new recommendation and notification. Have never seen this before!
Holiday Event
10 September is the most important Google Webinar for E-commerce! The Holiday 2024 best practices for retailers. Join here.
API update
Starting the week of August 19, 2024, Google will roll out a change that removes the ability to set the page_size field when making GoogleAdsService. Search requests. All requests will assume a fixed page size of 10,000 rows instead.
Shopping Feed
Tiago Goncalves shared these new Shopping Feed best practices & optimizations list with me. For the full file check this link.
Credit Card declined
It was found by David Kyle… Google just chooses which accounts they accept credit cards from.
Update topic exclusion
Tyler Hill found out that some topic exclusions are going away. You can exclude similar content under excluded content themes on account level.
Google is under investigation over consent mode in Italy
The investigation focus on how Google obtains consent to link user activity across its services (e.g., Search, YouTube, Chrome, Maps) for ad targeting. For more information go to this page.
Image preview
Zeeshan Ali discovered that Google is now showing two previews of Image assets!
Update BigQuery
Simo Ahava discovered that Last click traffic source is now available in BigQuery!
Google has announced that Interactive Reports will roll out in beta to all Google Ad Manager publishers in Q3 2024
Interactive Reports is a new reporting tool that makes it easier for you to get the information you need.
With Interactive Reports, you can:
•Create reports and view the results on a single screen
•Select metrics and dimensions using a type-to-select search bar, or view all available in a dedicated window
•Analyze data in Ad Manager using pagination, data comparisons (including percentage change), flags, and filtering/sorting
These features provide the following benefits:
•Reduced need for third-party tools
•More efficient data analysis
•Better insights
Display & Video 360 update
As announced in February 2024, Display & Video 360 API v2 will sunset on September 3, 2024. Migrate to Display & Video 360 API v3 before the sunset date to avoid an interruption of service.
GA4 Configuration tag = Google Tag
The Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration tag is now the Google tag. GA4 Configuration tags in a web container will be automatically migrated starting in September. There are no changes to your existing measurement and there is no action required from you.
Carousal Ads LSA
Anthony Higman discovered that the carousal ads are now also showing for GBP connection Ads in The USA.
New recommendation
Zeeshan Ali found this new recommendation works well with RSA’s.
Struggling to reach international audiences?
Christoph Scherf shared Google’s new open-source solution called Ariel It uses the power of AI to automatically preprocess, translate, and dub video ads into 40+ languages – saving you time and money. For more information go to this website.
GA4 Conversions direct in Ads
Aylin Damla Meşe & Matias Axel Ramayo discovered that you can now create GA4 conversions directly in Google Ads!
BIGGEST NEWS OF JULY FOR SURE🚨
Google wrote that it likely won’t deprecate third-party cookies in Chrome and will instead work with privacy-preserving alternatives.
Google Ads editor 2.7.
Arpan Banerjee discovered that Google has released a new version of the Ads editor edition 2.7. For more information read this article.
*Quick update, 2.7.3 is already out now. Could be just a quick bug fix.
Results Privacy Sandbox API
This week Google released that in early 2024, Google tested the Privacy Sandbox APIs to see how they could support ad performance without using third-party cookies.
The experiment ran from January to March, focusing on display ads in Google Ads and Display & Video 360.
The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of new privacy-centric tools compared to traditional third-party cookies.
Results:
Advertiser Spend Recovery: Google Display Ads recovered 89%, and Display & Video 360 recovered 86%.
ROI: Conversion per dollar saw a recovery of 97% in Google Display Ads and 95% in Display & Video 360.
Remarketing:
Remarketing campaigns recovered 55% in Google Ads and 49% in Display & Video 360. This lower recovery is due to the current reliance on third-party cookies for precise ad personalization and limited testing of Privacy Sandbox by supply side platforms.
Insights:
Combining Privacy Sandbox technologies (Topics API, Protected Audience API, and Attribution Reporting API) with other privacy-preserving signals can help maintain ad performance. Remarketing efforts benefit from combining various audience strategies.
Looking Forward: Google will continue refining these APIs in collaboration with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and encourage wider industry adoption.
The integration of AI advancements and first-party data solutions aims to prepare marketers for a new era of growth in a privacy-conscious landscape.
New design sitelinks
Felix Mayo found this new design of sitelinks in Google Ads!
Peru update
On August 7th, 2024 the Google Ads Gambling and games policy Peru country-specifics will be updated. Google will begin to accept ads from operators licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR).
Google Ads revenue 2024 Q2
Google Ads revenue is up by 13,8%. YouTube is also growing again with 13% and display is down. Overall, it was a strong performance!
Enhanced Conversion Banner
How important is enhanced conversions? Well, Google is now showing this banner to certain advertisers. With this banner, you can plan a session to implement enhanced conversions.
If you want to implement it with help you could visit this link: https://support.google.com/google-ads/workflow/14282534?initial_parameters=ocid.XXXXXXXX&hl=en
on the xxxxxx you need to fill in your ocid number. Found by Hana Kobzová.
Funny thing:
New image icon
Saquib Syed found out that the old funnel filter has been replaced with a new image icon!
New AI overview
Thomas Eccel found this new AI overview on account level. This is the AI overview that was announced earlier. I have seen it rolling out in more accounts this week!
Stape update
Working with first-party (user_data) data on server-side GTM got easier.
Your Google Analytics 4 data stream sends the customer’s first-party data in the variable user_data, but it can be difficult to access when you need to use it in other tools.
Lars Friis therefore made a simple variable template for Google Tag Manager, where you simply choose the value you need.
And then Stape published it in the Community Template Gallery.
Google takes about 2 months to review new templates, so get a direct one here.
New customer high value Beta
Mihai-Adrian Ciurea found the new customer high value feature live in his account!
Verified
Zeeshan Ali found out that you need to be verified to get access to appeals…
Update Q2 Google
Google is heavily investing in AI-driven advertising innovations. In its Q2 earnings call, Google highlighted how AI is enhancing its ad products.
Key Takeaways:
– Over 30 new AI-driven ad features were introduced in Q2, improving workflows and creative asset production.
– Retail AI tools in Merchant Center, such as virtual try-on, have increased high-quality views by 60%.
– Connected TV views on YouTube have risen by 130% in three years, making it the second most-watched platform after Disney.
– Positive trends are seen with AI Overviews in Search, and there are plans to test ads within these Overviews.
Statistics:
– AI-driven profit optimization and Smart Bidding yield a 15% profit increase on average.
– Demand Gen paired with Search or PMax results in 14% more conversions.
– Verizon’s YouTube creator ads had a 15% lower CPA and a 38% higher conversion rate.
Article of the week
Above you see how keyword matching works in short. Want to understand it and dive deeper into it? Ginny Marvin wrote an in-depth article on keyword matching for Search Engine Journal. You can find the article here.
Ad spend limit
Nate Louis found out that you can now set a maximum monthly ad spend limit for the month for some accounts.
Excel native connector
Mehdi Oudjida announced that the Excel native connector for Looker Studio is launching soon!
MCC Navigation change
Hana Kobzová found out that in the MCC account for MCN the left navigation has been extended with the following options:
– Issues
– Products
– Shipping and returns
– Business info
Also in the normal version you can now find how many products are found but not listed in Merchant Center.
Change policy new label cars
Emmanuel Flossie found a new policy update regarding vehicle ads condition attributes for Germany.
The value new, can now only be assigned when the vehicle is registered for no less than 8 months on the road or no more than 1000km.
Merchant Center AI image editor
Dario Zannoni discovered a new feature that is coming soon to Google Ads: Merchant Center feed integration in the AI image editor.
Key Features:
Link Merchant Center Feeds with Performance Max: Integrate feeds to achieve business goals more efficiently.
Enhance Product Images: Use AI to enhance images from your feed for Performance Max campaigns.
High-Quality Image Assets: Create quality images directly from Merchant Center feeds.Access and Edit Feed Images: Use images from your product feed, including those from Google Product Studio, in the AI image editor.
Import via Media Picker: Easily import product feed images through the media picker in the AI image editor.
For more details, visit the help page.
Shows phone number
Khushal Bherwani & Barry Schwartz discovered that Google is now showing the phone number for LSA’s if you hover over the get phone number.
New Pmax recommendation
Shresth Agarwal discovered that Google Ads added a picture to the Pmax recommendation!
New tool
Cool Mike Rhodes 💡 built a new tool called ProfitMax for Leads, The Profit Curve shows how total profit changes as marketing spending changes!
Ad group pause
Starting September 2024, Google will begin to automatically pause low activity ad groups in your account(s). Ad groups are considered low activity if they were created over 13 months ago and have zero impressions over the past 13 months. Found by Zeeshan Ali.
GA4 update
Configuration requirement for automatically collected events: You must now have a configuration command or the Google tag installed on a web page for automatically collected events to be sent.
This update prevents automatically collected events from being sent independently of the tag configuration, which previously caused (not set) attribution values to appear in reports.
Improvements to attribution channel assignments: Google has improved how it processes attribution data to ensure more accurate channel group assignments for key events.
With this change, you will now see fewer events incorrectly attributed to the Direct channel grouping and get more accurate channel grouping assignments.
Consideration Ads
Barry Schwartz wrote that Adam Bradley found this new ads section for your consideration!
France Policy update
On September 27, 2024, the Google Ads Healthcare and medicines policy will be updated to allow government entities in France to promote recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services.
Update Opioids
In August 2024, Google will revise the planned update to its Healthcare and medicines policy regarding opioid painkillers. Google will allow verified election advertisers to apply for a certification that will enable them to refer to opioid painkillers without promoting or selling them.
New Reporting and Generative AI Tools to Enhance Creative Results
Google Ads is introducing several new features to boost the effectiveness of creative assets in AI-powered campaigns.
Key updates include:
Enhanced Reporting:Asset-level Conversion Metrics: Provides transparency into which assets drive the most conversions.
YouTube Placement Reporting: Ensures ads appear in brand-suitable places with third-party verification for brand safety on YouTube and Display networks.
Generative AI Tools:Image Editing: New capabilities to add, remove, and replace objects within images, expand backgrounds, and crop to different aspect ratios.
These tools will soon be available for all campaign types.
Asset Generation Expansion: Extends to App and Display campaigns with improved image generation models fine-tuned for better performance.
Creative Workflow Improvements: New “Create” Menu Options: Simplifies access to creative tools, allowing for faster asset creation.
Creative Partnerships: Integration with platforms like Canva, Smartly, Pencil, and Typeface, enabling seamless asset creation and uploading.
Detailed Features:Asset-level Conversion Reporting: Helps identify high-performing assets and optimize accordingly.
YouTube Placement Reporting: Provides insights into ad placements, with tools for excluding unsuitable content.
Third-party Verification: Ensures brand safety for video and display ads through external measurement partners.
Generative AI Enhancements:Image Editing Tools: Available globally, with more languages coming soon.
Broader Application: Rolling out to Demand Gen campaigns and other campaign types.
Streamlined Creative Workflows:New Workflow in Google Ads: Facilitates easier asset generation and integration.
Partnership with Typeface: Offers templates and best practices for creating high-quality assets.
These updates aim to enhance the creation and performance of creative assets in Google Ads, providing advertisers with more tools and insights to optimize their campaigns.
For further learning, a webinar is scheduled for October 1st.
Double CTA’s
Thomas Eccel discovered that Google Ads is now showing two cta’s for YouTube Ads!
Enhanced conversion diagnostics rating
Thomas Eccel discovered that Google is now showing this rating for his account data. I have seen it before but could be rolling out to more accounts:)
New Google tip?
Zeeshan Ali discovered that Google is sending him an mail to have at least 25 keywords in his top campaign.
Out of Beta?
PPC Greg got this notification, might be soon coming coming out of beta to more countries👀
Deprecate Structured Data Files (SDF) v6
Google will deprecate Structured Data Files (SDF) v6. This version will sunset on April 30, 2025.
GTM Tools relaunched
Gtmtools.com created by Simo Ahava, is now live again. GTM Tools is in Beta and provides robust capabilities for managing containers, workspaces, tags, triggers, and variables.
New features that are coming soon:> Server GTM support> Platform redesign> Easy GitHub template import .
Check GTM Tools for more information!