Google Ads News
Big update from Google Data Studio
Looker Studio is now Data Studio, with a redesigned home bringing reports, data sources, BigQuery agents, and data apps into one place.
Gemini is now integrated as Gemini in Data Studio and Conversational Analytics is now open to all users (no Gemini required).
New Conversational Analytics experience (preview):
• Use data agents from BigQuery• No longer create agents directly in Data Studio
• Option to switch back to legacy view Stronger BigQuery integration + easier sharing of data agents
Pro teams get better governance with a new Policy User for managing asset permissions.
Feed Ad update
The YouTube and Discover Feed ad requirements have been updated to clarify the treatment of election ads. This update was made solely to provide clearer guidance to advertisers and no changes were made to the policy enforcement scope.
LSA Rich Content Update
Anthony Higman got the message that Google is now Including Special Offers, Pricing information And Discounts Pulled From Your Website in LSA!
API update
Google launched Multi-factor authentication requirements for the Google Ads API!
ChatGPT Ads
Rolling out ads in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
ChatGPT is beginning to roll out ads for users on Free and Go plans in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans do not have ads.
Changes the Inventory name
Streamlining content suitability default settings and inventory names starting in May 2026.
Starting in May 2026, you’ll notice updated names for some inventory modes in your account settings.
Google is changing the names, so the exclusions, definitions for each tier and standards for monetisation will remain the same.
Maximum inventory (formerly ‘Expanded’)
Moderate inventory (formerly ‘Standard’)Limited inventory (no change)
Starting in May 2026, Google will also be streamlining your experience and helping to maximise video performance for YouTube and Google video partners.
Accounts that have not selected a specific inventory mode will default to Maximum inventory, formerly known as ‘Expanded’.
Video Map view
Anthony Higman discovered this Immersive Map View in Search Ads!
New optimization
Anthony Higman discovered a new optimization feature that allows advertisers to optimize Search campaigns towards “Messages from your ads”.
Real-time policy
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 are now available to help get your campaigns live faster.
Spam update
Google says its AI model Gemini blocked over 99% of bad ads before they ran in 2025, removing billions of ads and suspending millions of accounts.
The system improved scam detection, reduced false suspensions by 80%, and made enforcement faster, though stricter automated reviews mean advertisers must stay closely compliant.
GTM Update
Google Tag Gateway Adds Fastly Integration. Found by Hana Kobzová.
Phishing alert for Google Ads advertisers
Fake Google Ads email invites are being used to trick users into granting account (MCC) access.
Red flags:
• Gmail sender addresses
• Suspicious access links
• Unknown companies requesting accessNever accept access requests you don’t recognize.
Reported by Jeremy Young, Selina Naomi Patel and Hana Kobzová and likely part of a broader scam wave.
Heads up for Google Ad Grants advertisers
Since February 3, Performance Max ads appear to have stopped serving on Google Maps.
In the Channel performance report, Maps is showing 0 impressions and $0 spend while Google Search is taking 100% of the budget.
There’s been no official explanation from Google so far, but it’s worth checking your campaigns to confirm if you’re seeing the same.
To verify: go to your Performance Max campaign → Channel performance → check Maps data.
This was first flagged by Jason King & Hana Kobzová
Bulk change
Hana Kobzová discovered that Google has added a new feature to its bulk ad review process that allows advertisers to select ads from specific campaigns when requesting ad revision in bulk.
Tag Manager
Google Ads appears to be testing a new “Set up in Google Tag Manager” button directly within the conversion setup flow, thanks for sharing Natasha Kaurra & Hana Kobzová!
Display & Video 360 API April 2026 Update
Google has released its April 2026 update to the Display & Video 360 API, introducing several enhancements for advertisers and developers:
Expanded support for additional Exchange and ThirdPartyVendor values
New AdAsset identifier fields within AdGroupAd resources
Beta support for Demand Gen resource management
Demand Gen capabilities are currently limited to allowlisted partners. Eligible users can now retrieve, create, update, and delete Demand Gen line items, ad groups, ads, and associated targeting via the API.
Full general availability of Demand Gen support is planned for later this year.Developers are encouraged to review the release notes and update their client libraries to access the latest features.
Thanks for sharing Arpan Banerjee.
R.I.P. DSA Welcome AI Max
AI Max for Search is exiting beta and replacing Dynamic Search Ads (DSA).Transition Timeline
Now: New tools are available to help advertisers transfer DSA settings and data into standard ad groups.September: Existing DSA campaigns will be automatically migrated to AI Max.
It’s strongly recommended to migrate early manually to maintain full control and oversight.
The March 2026 Ebarometer is in Ecommerce momentum remains strong.
Month-over-month (March vs. February):
📈 Turnover +21.6%
📈 Gross Profit +21.1%
📈 Orders +14.1%
📈 ROAS +3.1% | POAS +2.9%
Year-over-year:
📈 Turnover +16.6%
📈 Gross Profit +23.2% (profitability improving fast)
📉 ROAS -5.5% |
⚖️ POAS stable (-0.1%)
Takeaway:Growth is strong and profitability is improving, but increasing competition and ad spend are putting pressure on efficiency.
Something to watch: macro uncertainty and rising energy prices could slow things down later in 2026.
Google Merchant Center – New 2026 Attributes
Google just officially announced new Merchant Center attributes for 2026 but many were already quietly available earlier.
What’s new:
Handling Cutoff Time (product-level)Set different shipping cutoff times per product, brand, or category instead of one global setting.
Minimum Order Value (product-level)Previously account-wide only now you can define minimum spend requirements per product.
Video Link Attribute Add YouTube product videos directly to your feed. Enforcement (serving + quality checks) starts June 30, 2026, giving you time to prepare.
Why it matters:Early adopters already have a competitive edge. This is a timing game those who implement now will benefit before stricter enforcement kicks in.
For more information check Emmanuel Flossie his video.
Disapprovals
Google Ads advertisers report a crazy wave of unexplained ad disapprovals! Looks like a bug.
Important update from Google Analytics & Google Ads
Google is simplifying data collection and increasing focus on user consent.
What’s changing?
- Google Ads will have more control over data usage
- Google Signals + Consent Mode are becoming one unified system
- From June 15, 2026: data controls will be platform-specific
- Ads consent (e.g. ad_storage) will determine how ad data is used
What it means for you
- Google Signals ON → no action needed
- OFF → Ads may use cookies if users consent
- Consent = denied → no ad cookies → reduced tracking & performance
Impact of denying ad cookies
- Conversion tracking drops
- Campaign performance declines
- Less effective targeting & optimization
Why this change?
- Align Analytics & Ads
- Improve privacy
- Increase transparency & control
What to do
- Review Consent Mode
- Update privacy policy
- Check tagging setup
Using a CMP like Cookiebot Web CMP by Usercentrics (Usercentrics) helps stay compliant. You have a 90-day grace period to adjust.
Week 16 finished
