Google Ads News
Expanded Data Manager
Google has expanded the Data Manager API with two major updates: support for uploading store sales conversions to Google Ads in a single API request, and broader event ingestion capabilities for Google Analytics.
Developers can now send recommended and custom web and app events directly to GA4 data streams using a unified schema, with support for app-specific metadata and event routing via Firebase App ID or Measurement ID.
Additional data source support has also been extended beyond purchase events to any event with a transaction ID (for allowlisted properties). These updates simplify offline conversion uploads and provide a more powerful alternative to Measurement Protocol.
Exclusions
Google is aiming to bring content and titles related exclusions to the account level to complement AI max’s current inventory!
OpenAI
OpenAI quietly changed its ad policy “Medical, legal, and financial advice chats are no longer automatically excluded from ads.”
Meaning ads can now appear in sensitive advice-related conversations.Huge implications for legal ethics, trust, and AI regulation.Thanks for sharing Anthony Higman
Bidding and Budgeting
Google Ads is rolling out new AI-powered bidding and budgeting innovations for Search and Shopping campaigns to help advertisers capture more demand with less manual work.
Key updates include:
• Journey-aware bidding to better optimize lead generation across the full customer journey
• Expanded Smart Bidding Exploration for Performance Max and Shopping campaigns, helping brands discover new high-converting queries
• Demand-led budget pacing that automatically adjusts spend based on consumer demand trends while staying within monthly limits
• Campaign total budgets reducing manual budget adjustments by an average of 66%
VISUALS OF THE NEW GOOGLE TAG MANAGER
I just saw these new visuals of the new Google Tag Manager from Marthijn Hoiting!Looks good:), what do you guys think?
Site Visits
Google has officially introduced the new “Site Visits” asset for ads a feature that displays how many visits a website received directly within search ads.
Why it matters:
• Builds instant trust with visible traffic numbers
• Can improve CTR by signaling popularity• Requires no extra setup
• Works across multiple campaign typesExample: ads can now show signals like “10K+ visits in past month” directly in the ad experience.
The bigger takeaway? Google is leaning harder into social proof inside paid search and advertisers with strong traffic momentum may gain a meaningful performance edge.
Thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová
Passkeys
VIVEK GUPTA shared that starting July 15, Google Ads will require Passkeys for certain actions to improve account security and create a safer advertising ecosystem.
Official: OpenAI launches the beta
Self-Serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT Ads.Advertisers in the US can now:
• Sign up directly at ads.openai.com
• Set budgets, bids & pacing• Upload/manage campaigns
• Track performance metrics
Notable updates:
✅ CPC bidding support (in addition to CPM)
✅ Conversions API
✅ Pixel-based measurement
This marks a major step toward a full-scale advertising ecosystem inside ChatGPT.OpenAI also published onboarding docs and a getting-started video for advertisers.
Estimated conversion Loss
Google Ads now shows estimated conversion loss before applying negative keywords in PMax campaigns.
Key updates:
• Preview impact before exclusions go live
• See estimated conversion drop per keyword
• Limited to 10 negative keywords at a time
• Works only for campaign-level PMax exclusions
• Estimates are based on actual search term trend data
Useful addition for balancing brand safety vs conversion efficiency in Performance Max.
Credit to Arpan Banerjee for highlighting this update, sourced from Rudy Casadio.
UCP
Google is expanding its Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) checkout from AI Mode into regular Google Search results.
This allows users to buy products from search via a “Buy” button, without visiting a retailer’s website (e.g., Wayfair).
UCP enables seamless transactions by connecting AI systems with retailers using shared standards, and is supported by partners like Shopify and Etsy.
The key impact is that purchases can happen with zero clicks to retailer websites, signaling a shift toward AI-driven commerce and potentially changing how traffic and conversions work in search.
Simplified measurement for the AI era is here
Five new Ads measurement features are making it easier to manage data and make smarter investment decisions:
• Map view in Data Manager for visualizing connections between data sources
• Signals & tags to combine new data inputs via API or no-code tools
• Meridian Studio moving to a managed platform on Google Cloud
• Meridian GeoX enabling global, open-source incrementality experiments
• An enhanced measurement platform, with Google Analytics evolving into a full measurement playbook
Together with an expanding partner ecosystem, these updates help businesses build a future-proof data infrastructure for the AI era.
Vehicle Ads Now Available in Standard Shopping Campaigns
Big update from Google:Vehicle ads are no longer limited to Performance Max.
You can now run them via Standard Shopping campaigns in Google Ads.What’s new:Vehicle ads now supported in Standard Shopping
More control vs. Performance Max
Expanded flexibility for auto advertisers
Setup includes:
Google Ads account
Google Merchant Center
Google Business Profile
Spotted by Hana Kobzová.
Google Ads Update: Call Recording Will Default to ON
Starting July 1, 2026, Google Ads will automatically set call recording to “Yes” for accounts with no prior selection.
What you need to know:
Applies only if you haven’t chosen a setting yet
Default switches to ON (recording enabled)
You can still turn it off anytime
Action required: If you want recording OFF, update your settings before June 30, 2026
Spotted by Anthony Higman & Hana Kobzová
New in Google Merchant Center: Add Products with AI (Beta)
As of May 5, 2026, Google Merchant Center is rolling out a new option:“Use AI to add products – beta”
What it does:Lets you create product listings using AINo product feed requiredWorks via a one-time site scan
Why it matters:This makes it much easier (and faster) for advertisers to get products live—especially if you don’t have a structured feed set up yet.
Good to know:It’s not a continuous sync (just a one-time import)
Best suited for quick setup or smaller catalogs
Shoutout to Saurabh, Hana Kobzová & Barry Schwartz for spotting this update
Big update from Google Analytics!
Cross-channel conversion reporting data is now available via the Data API (alpha), giving developers direct access to both paid and organic performance insights programmatically.
This opens up a lot of possibilities for deeper analysis, automation, and smarter attribution.
Shoutout to Arpan Banerjee 🙌 for being part of pushing things forward in this space!
Big changes coming to Google Tag Manager
At Google Marketing Live 2026, GTM gets a big update!TL;DR: GTM containers will become Google Tags (optional upgrade).
What this doesn’t mean:
No automatic data collection to GA4 / AdsNo requirement to use Google products
GTM keeps working as-is
Key update:
Destinations
Legacy Google Tags → “Destinations”No more multiple gtag.js loadsCentralized tag settings (with overrides if needed)
Better performance + consistencyOther updates:Cleaner UI (some items under “Advanced”)
Visual event builder (create tags via on-site interactions)
Control stays with you:Opt-in upgradePreview, test, and roll back anytime
Thanks for sharing Simo Ahava