Google Ads News
DV360 Update
Google has introduced new community and documentation updates for Display & Video 360.
Two key improvements have been announced:Expanded Discord supportThe “Google Advertising and Measurement Community” Discord server now includes dedicated support for Display & Video 360 API, Structured Data Files, and Bid Manager API.
The team will actively engage with the community, share updates, and answer questions.Updated documentation experience
The Display & Video 360 API and Structured Data Files documentation has been redesigned to improve usability.
This includes clearer task-based guides, better access to conceptual content, and improved navigation highlighting supported API versions and features.
These updates make it easier for developers to find information, stay up to date, and engage directly with the product team.
Offline conversion import update
Google Ads API is rolling out improvements to Offline Conversion Imports starting April 2026.
These infrastructure updates aim to improve attribution and reduce common errors, without introducing breaking changes.
However, some temporary fluctuations in attribution rates may occur during the rollout.
Key updates:
Improved attribution and fallback recoveryExpired GCLIDs and earlier clicks can now be attributed more effectively, leading to fewer EXPIRED_EVENT and CONVERSION_PRECEDES_EVENT errors and potentially higher attribution ratesMore flexible import requests
Updates to the authorization structure will make it easier for manager and client accounts to import conversions across accounts, reducing errors like UNAUTHORIZED_CUSTOMER and INVALID_CUSTOMER_FOR_CLICKOverall, these changes are designed to make offline conversion tracking more accurate, resilient, and easier to manage across account structures.
A meaningful step forward for teams relying on offline conversion data to measure and optimize performance.
New update
Hana Kobzová discovered that Google has updated its Data Manager help page to include ActiveCampaign as a supported data source for direct integrations.
This means advertisers can now connect ActiveCampaign data to Google Ads without relying on third party connectors.
Sponsored stores
Glenn Gabe discovered that sponsored stores is live in ai mode!
Google’s latest Demand Gen update is all about one thing: better creative at scale
Here’s what’s new and why it matters:First, AI-powered creative production.
With Veo in Google Ads, you can now turn static images into high-quality video variations. This makes it much easier to scale assets and improve Ad Strength without heavy production costs.
Second, creator-led performance.
YouTube Creator Partnerships are now directly integrated into Google Ads, making it easier to find and collaborate with creators.
The impact is clear: campaigns using creator content are seeing around a 30% lift in conversions on YouTube Shorts.Third, the shift toward owned audiences.
Google is pushing advertisers to build their own YouTube presence, not just run ads.With new optimization for follow-on views, Demand Gen campaigns can now help grow your channel and increase long-term engagement.
The bigger picture: Demand Gen is evolving beyond just media buying.
It’s becoming a mix of AI-generated creative, creator content, and owned audience growth. In other words, performance is no longer just about targeting.
It’s about creative ecosystems.
Pmax Google
Google is doubling down on control and transparency in Performance Max.
For a long time, the biggest criticism of Performance Max was simple: strong automation, but limited visibility and control.That’s starting to change.
Here are the key updates coming in 2026:First, better audience steering.
You can now exclude first-party audiences. In practice, this means you can focus your budget on acquiring new customers instead of re-engaging existing ones a long-awaited capability.
Second, clearer budget insights.A new budget reporting feature helps you project end-of-month spend and understand how daily budget changes impact performance.Third, deeper audience reporting.
You’ll get more granular insights into who you’re reaching, including breakdowns by age and gender. And finally, improved placement transparency.
Placement reporting can now be segmented by network, giving you better visibility into where your ads are actually showing and more control over brand safety.
The bigger shift here is important.
Performance Max is moving from a “black box” toward a system you can actually steer and understand.
ChatGPT Revenue
ChatGPT just crossed $100 million in annualized ad revenue only six weeks after launching its ad pilot.
What’s more interesting is how early this still is.
Less than 20% of eligible users are currently seeing ads, while roughly 85% of Free and Go users could eventually be reached. That means the current revenue is only a fraction of the platform’s full potential.
There are already 600+ advertisers on board, but the real inflection point is coming next: self-serve access, to launch in April.
This will open the door to a much broader market, not just managed pilot participants.
A few other signals stand out:Ad relevance is relatively strong, with fewer than 7% rated as low quality
International expansion is on the roadmap
Advertising is becoming a meaningful part of OpenAI’s broader revenue strategy
API Update
Google Ads API has increased request size limits for BatchJobService, improving how developers handle large uploads.
The maximum request size for AddBatchJobOperations has been raised from approximately 10.48 MB to 41.94 MB, allowing significantly more data to be included in a single request. The size limit for a single operation remains unchanged.
This update is particularly relevant for workflows involving large assets, such as image uploads. Developers can now batch more operations together, reducing the need to split requests and lowering the number of API calls.
Key points:
Larger batch requests supported (up to ~41.94 MB)
Single operation limit unchanged (~10.48 MB)
More efficient handling of large assets like images
Reduced client-side complexity and fewer round trips
Existing limits, such as the maximum number of operations per request and per job, still apply.
Ad Manager API Update
Google has introduced a read-only OAuth scope for the Google Ad Manager API.
The new scope (admanager.readonly) enables developers to access Ad Manager data in a strictly read-only mode.
This means applications can retrieve data and run reports without the ability to modify anything.
Key highlights:
Designed for use cases like reporting dashboards and monitoring toolsAdds an extra layer of security by limiting write access
Not supported in the legacy SOAP API, which still requires full-access scope
Existing integrations are unaffected and do not require changes
For teams that don’t need write permissions, migrating to the read-only scope is a straightforward way to improve security and follow the principle of least privilege.
It’s also worth noting that existing Ad Manager access controls, such as user roles and team restrictions, continue to apply regardless of the OAuth scope used.
A small but meaningful update that strengthens how we think about API access and security in advertising platforms.
Google Ads API v23.2 has been released
This update introduces several notable improvements for developers and advertisers working with the platform:A new VideoEnhancement resource, providing visibility into whether video assets are Google-generated or advertiser-provided
AppTopCombinationView, offering insights into top-performing asset combinations in App campaigns
The ability to disable hotel feeds in Demand Gen campaigns via HotelSettingInfo
A new metric for tracking indirect app install conversionsEnhancements to ContentCreatorInsightsService and ReachPlanService
Note that upgrading client libraries and code is required to access these new features.
Overall, this release continues to improve transparency, reporting depth, and campaign control within the Google Ads ecosystem.
Thanks for sharing Arpan Banerjee!
Support option from chat
Arpan Banerjee discovered that Google support form now shows which contact option we are choosing from chat!
VEO
VEO is live in Ads!
Google Ads Asset group theming
Bia Camargo shared a new Google Ads Performance Max feature: Asset Group Theming.
Advertisers can now clone a high-performing asset group and instantly apply seasonal themes (like Easter, Back to School, or sales events).
Google then generates themed image variations and suggests updated headlines, while keeping the original assets unchanged for safe testing.
This helps marketers launch seasonal campaigns faster, scale winning creatives, and test without rebuilding from scratch.
However, it’s not a finished solution creatives still need human review and refinement.
Big updates coming to Google Ads promotional offers
Starting in April, promotional offers will no longer be automatically applied. Instead, partners will have the flexibility to hand-pick the most valuable offers for each eligible new client.
This shift means more strategic control, better alignment with client goals, and stronger campaign performance.
With expanded promotional options available, businesses can:
✅ Attract new customers more effectively
✅ Accelerate campaign growth
✅ Maximize ad credit value
Thanks for sharing Arpan Banerjee
Loyalty update
Big news for retailers: Expanded loyalty program features are here!Building stronger customer relationships just got easier.
With the latest updates, businesses can now integrate loyalty benefits directly into product listings helping reward existing members while attracting new shoppers.
What’s new:
• Showcase exclusive member pricing and special member shipping benefits right on your listings
• Promote loyalty perks across local inventory ads and regional Shopping ads
• Reach shoppers on AI-first shopping experiences like AI Mode and Gemini
• Loyalty features are now available in 14 countries, including the Netherlands, UK, US, Germany, and more
Why it matters:
Personalized offers for loyalty members can significantly boost engagement with some retailers, seeing up to 20% higher click-through rates.
Getting started: Activate the loyalty add-on in Merchant Center, set up your program tiers and benefits, and use Customer Match lists in Google Ads to unlock personalized experiences.
Big update for Display & Video 360 developers
Google has announced new Discord support channels inside the Google Advertising and Measurement Community server for Display & Video 360 API, Structured Data Files, and Bid Manager API.
This gives developers a direct space to ask questions, share feedback, and stay updated on product changes.
Alongside this, the Display & Video 360 API documentation has received a major refresh.
The new structure includes clearer task-based guides, conceptual learning resources, and improved navigation to help users quickly find supported features and versions.
Developers can also send feedback directly from the documentation pages or connect with the team through the new Discord channels.
Commerce media
Google unveils new commerce media capabilities to help brands reach shoppers everywhere
Google has announced major updates to its Commerce Media Suite, aiming to solve one of the biggest challenges brands face today: reaching consumers across a fragmented and fast-moving shopping journey.
A key highlight is a new collaboration with Kroger Precision Marketing, allowing advertisers to activate retail purchase-based audiences on YouTube and third-party inventory through Display & Video 360.
In addition, Google is introducing SKU-level conversion reporting, enabling brands to directly measure how specific media campaigns drive product sales.
The company is also expanding its commerce ecosystem with new audience partnerships, including Best Buy Ads, Costco, Shipt and Western Union.
Looking ahead, Google plans to bring commerce audience integrations from major Asian marketplaces such as Shopee and Swiggy into Google Ads.
With deeper retailer insights, AI-powered targeting and immersive formats like YouTube and CTV, Google aims to help brands unify brand and shopper marketing while unlocking new revenue opportunities for retailers.
Passkey update
Thomas Eccel shared that Google just introduced Passkey support inside Google Ads accounts and it’s a big upgrade from the standard password setup.
Big shift in how commerce is starting to happen online
From this week, hundreds of millions of ChatGPT users can discover and shop products from Shopify merchants directly inside AI conversations.
With the Shopify Catalog making billions of products searchable in chat and checkout happening through an in-app browser shopping is becoming more conversational, contextual, and immediate.
What stands out is that merchants still keep full control over their brand experience: product pages, checkout customizations, payment methods like Shop Pay, and complex flows like cross-border sales, subscriptions, pre-orders, bundles, and multi-item carts all continue to work.
Commerce is no longer limited to websites or apps. It’s increasingly happening wherever decisions are being made, including inside AI chats.
Big update for Shopping advertisers in Europe
Google is expanding CSS Partner advertising to 15 new countries later this year.Launching first (Back-to-School ready):Cyprus, Luxembourg, Moldova, North Macedonia, Malta, Liechtenstein
Second wave (Holiday season ready):Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Estonia, LatviaThis expansion creates strong new opportunities to scale Shopping campaigns across Europe, especially in emerging markets.
If international growth is on your roadmap, now is the time to start preparing your feeds, bidding strategy and CSS setup.
Credit to Wouter Veenboer for sharing this update!
Apple Ads
Apple is bringing ads to Apple Maps this summer!
AI Agent
Google announced a new AI agent called Google Ads Advisor at Google NewFront 2026, focused mainly on saving time rather than introducing completely new capabilities.
Two standout features are: Help fixing disapproved ads: The AI can guide advertisers on how to resolve ad disapprovals, potentially reducing long support waits and manual troubleshooting.
Prompt-based custom charts: Users will be able to generate reports and charts simply through prompts, avoiding the usual complex reporting workflows (with hoped-for data download options).
Other updates from the announcement include:Confidential Publisher Match to connect first-party data with streaming publishers
Expanded CTV reach to 96% of ad-supported households
New formats like Pause Ads, YouTube Creator Takeovers, and a live sports bidding suite
Overall, the updates focus on automation, efficiency, and expanded reach across streaming and video advertising.
Week 13 finished
