Google Ads News
Google Ads Introduces Two Brand Lift Studies
Google Ads now offers two Brand Lift Studies: Standard measures lifts from 2%, while Enhanced can detect lifts from 1.2% but requires three times the budget.
Google Clarifies Its Smart Bidding Update
Google says its August 18 Smart Bidding update is not a broader system change. It only affects budget-constrained campaigns using targets, aiming to keep ROI performance more consistent as budgets change.
Credit: Barry Schwartz.
Google Turns On Conversion-Based Customer Lists
To help you maximise the value and performance of your first-party data, Google is turning on the conversion-based customer lists feature for your account(s) beginning on 17 June 2026, and data will begin to be processed on 18 August 2026.
Google Ads will expand its Alcohol policy
On July 28, 2026, Google Ads will expand its Alcohol policy, allowing promotions for alcoholic beverages in new geographic locations.
Advertisers can market products that meet local Alcohol by Volume (ABV) requirements, up to the maximum permitted for each region.
Google Removes Manual Product Updates from Manufacturer Center
Google has removed the option to manually add or update products in Google Manufacturer Center.
Users must now submit product data through the Manufacturer Center API or by uploading a product file. Data submitted before July 9, 2026, will remain in existing accounts and requires no action. Google had previously sent multiple warnings about the change.
Thanks for sharing Barry Schwartz
Google AI Mode adds Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music
Google AI Mode adds Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music
What it isGoogle is rolling out connected apps in AI Mode for U.S. users. You can link services like Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music and act on an AI answer without leaving Search.
Plan a barbecue and load an Instacart cart. Build a flyer in Canva. Save a playlist to YouTube Music. More partners are on the way.
What it means for your account
No ad lever here yet, but watch the traffic story. Every task that finishes inside AI Mode is a click that never reached a site.
If your buyers can complete the action in Search, your landing page loses a shot at them.
Track your branded and non-branded traffic for softening as this expands.
Why it matters
Google keeps pulling the finish line inside its own walls. Less pass-through traffic means less you control after the search.
Start planning for a world where the answer, and the action, both happen before your site loads.
Source: Search Engine Land, by Danny Goodwin.
Google is making Local Inventory Ads the default
Google is making Local Inventory Ads the default
What it is
From August 31, Local Inventory Ads switch on by default in Standard Shopping campaigns tied to a Merchant Center account with the LIA add-on enabled.
The old “Local products” setting under Other settings goes away. You will manage local versus online through the new Inventory filter instead, set to Channel = Local or Channel = Online.
What it means for your account
If you split budgets between online and in-store, do not ignore this. Default-on could change how those campaigns behave if you leave the settings alone.
Audit every affected Shopping campaign before August 31. Set the Inventory filter to the channel you actually want, then confirm your online and local spend still land where you intended.
Why it matters
This is a silent default that touches budget, not just plumbing. Miss the date and Google decides your local strategy for you. Ten minutes of checking now beats explaining a spend shift to a client later.
Source: Search Engine Land, by Anu Adegbola, mMBA. First spotted by Arpan Banerjee.
Rewards program launches on Accelerate with Google
Rewards program launches on Accelerate with Google
What it is
Google launched Rewards inside Accelerate with Google. You get personalized goals, earn points, and redeem them in a Rewards Store for things like Pixel phones, Masterclass subscriptions, and espresso machines. Goals split into Account Goals and Personal Goals. Live for eligible users now, wider rollout through the year.
What it means for your account
Read the fine print. Account Goals are Google paying you in points to adopt Google’s preferred features, like new campaign types and bidding changes. That is an incentive to do what Google wants, not always what your client’s profit wants. Points expire 12 months after they are issued. If two people touch an account, only whoever takes the last action gets the points.
Why it matters
Free espresso machines are nice. Getting nudged into PMax or a bidding switch because a prize is dangling is not. Chase the goals that already fit your strategy. Ignore the ones that only serve Google’s roadmap.
Source: About Rewards on Accelerate with Google (Google Ads Help).
Multi-party approval spotted live in Google Ads
Multi-party approval spotted live in Google Ads
What it is
Multi-party approval has shown up in the wild in Google Ads. It requires sign-off from more than one person before sensitive access is granted. Google explained the feature back in February, so this is the rollout catching up to the announcement. A screenshot confirms it is now appearing in accounts.
What it means for your account
This is a security layer, not a performance one. If you manage client accounts, expect access and permission changes to need a second approver. Set that up before you need it, not during a fire. Agencies handing off access should factor in the extra step so nothing stalls.
Why it matters
Account takeovers and rogue changes are a real risk at scale. A second set of hands on sensitive access makes both harder to pull off. Low effort to enable, high downside to skip.
Source: Screenshot shared by Arpan Banerjee. Background from PPC News Feed.
Google is testing “Read more” links in mobile Search ads
Google is testing “Read more” links in mobile Search ads
What it is
Google appears to be testing a “Read more” link inside mobile Search ads. It sits below the visible description and expands longer ad copy in place. Users see the extra text without clicking through to the site. Still a test, not a rollout.
What it means for your account
Nothing to set up. If it ships, your full description could get read before the click, so weak second lines will show. Tighten your descriptions now and stop treating the tail end as filler. Watch for softer CTR if people get their answer without visiting.
Why it matters
More ad copy on screen shifts weight back to the words, not just the headline. Good writing gets rewarded, lazy writing gets exposed. Keep an eye on whether expanded ads pull cleaner clicks or just fewer.
Source: Shared by Khushal Bherwani on LinkedIn.
Business data feeds are now live in Demand Gen
Business data feeds are now live in Demand Gen
What it is
Google added business data feeds to Demand Gen. They run dynamic ads that swap items based on intent. Built for travel, flights, real estate, and automotive. Pick a template, upload by CSV or SFTP, attach to the campaign. Smart Bidding still works.
What it means for your account
Display Network only right now. No YouTube, no Discover. One feed per campaign, and the feed type locks once you save. Note the mixed message: Google pitches this as a no Merchant Center option, but the setup steps still send you into Merchant Center to build the feed.
Why it matters
Non-retail advertisers were stuck with static creative. Now a property or travel brand can show live listings without a shopping catalog. Real gap filled. Just keep it Display only for now.
Source: Use business data feeds in Demand Gen campaigns (Google Ads Help). Spotted by Hana Kobzová.
Google Expands Performance Max Product Reporting Across All Networks
Google has expanded Performance Max product reporting to include data from all networks, which may cause a one-time spike in impressions and clicks.
Credit to Bia Camargo & Hana Kobzová for spotting the update.
Google has added the function lead in the conversion section.
VIVEK GUPTA discovered that Google has added the function lead in the conversion section.
Google Tag Manager Now Automatically Fixes Incorrect /gtag/ Installations
Google Tag Manager now automatically fixes containers installed using the incorrect /gtag/ path, restoring full GTM functionality.
A small but useful fix for affected implementations.
Credit to Simo Ahava for sharing the update
Google Consolidates Shopping Policies in Merchant Center
In September 2026, Google will update the Google Merchant Center Help Center to consolidate the Shopping ads and free listings policies into a single set of Shopping policies, for improved organization and clarity.
Google Introduces AI Labels for Ad Creatives
In response to emerging global regulations, Google is introducing tools to help advertisers identify and label AI-generated ad creatives beginning July 13. For publishers, these AI labels may appear on creatives served to their properties when coming from Google demand (Google Ads, Display & Video 360). Google’s sell-side platforms do not offer AI labeling features.
Google Tests Sticky Sponsored Search Results Again
Afspelen
Google is again testing sticky sponsored search results with a card-style design, thinner “Sponsored” labels, and rounded gray borders.
The layout resembles a 2024 test and a version launched in 2025.
The test was spotted by Khushal Bherwani & Barry Schwartz.
Google Merchant Center Pilots AI Performance Insights
Google Merchant Center is piloting AI Performance Insights for AI Mode and AI Overviews, including share of voice, competitor visibility, query trends, and organic AI traffic.
Credit: Barry Schwartz. Additional findings by Hana Kobzová and Brodie Clark.
OpenAI has quietly added new reporting features to ChatGPT Ads Manager
OpenAI has quietly added new reporting features to ChatGPT Ads Manager:
Attributed Sales Value and Sales ROAS metrics are now visible.
Advertisers can also access product-level ad performance reporting.
The changes appeared without an official announcement.
Industry observers suggest the focus on revenue and product metrics may indicate OpenAI is prioritizing retail advertisers, even though basic metrics such as conversion rate and CPA are still missing.
OpenAI is expected to announce the update formally soon.
Thanks for sharing Craig Graham.
Google Ads Adds Global Reach and Frequency Optimization for YouTube
Google Ads now offers global reach and frequency optimization for YouTube video campaign groups. Advertisers can set shared goals across multiple campaigns while retaining separate budgets, creatives, and settings.
The update helps brands:
– Simplify campaign management
– Improve unique reach and frequency efficiency
– View unified performance metrics across campaign groups
Google reports that an optimal frequency of 2.7 impressions per week can increase ROI by 19%.
Similar capabilities are coming soon to Display & Video 360.
Google Ads Accounts Can Now Be Bulk Linked to GA4
Thomas Eccel discovered that you can now 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗚𝗔𝟰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆.
Google Ads Rolls Out More AI Performance Explanations
Thomas Eccel discovered that More AI Performance Explanations rolling out in Google Ads!
Google Ads Adds AI-Powered Conversion Recommendations
Arpan Banerjeen discovered that Google Ads now shows AI-powered conversion recommendations in the Conversion Summary dashboard
GPT Ads Add Geo and Audience Exclusions
Anthony Higman discovered that ChatGPT now has GEO exclusions and audience exclusions in GPT Ads.
Google Expands Shopping Ads and Free Listings to 14 More European Markets
Starting in July 2026, Google is expanding Shopping ads and free product listings to 14 additional European markets, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Baltic states, Malta, and Serbia.
Merchants must complete Merchant Center verification and ensure their product feeds, languages, currencies, and localized landing pages meet Google’s requirements.
Country-specific restrictions apply to categories such as alcohol, medicines, political content, high-fat, sugar and salt products, and adult-oriented content.
Previously restricted accounts may submit an appeal through Merchant Center once the rollout is active in the relevant country.
Thanks for sharing Arpan Banerjee
Google Adds a New High-Engagement Ads Option for App Campaigns
Arpan Banerjee discovered that Google setting has this new option for “High-engagement ads” for app campaigns.
OpenAI Could Generate $110B in Annual Ad Revenue by 2030
Wall Street has priced ChatGPT’s ad opportunity.
New Street Research estimates OpenAI could generate $110B in annual ad revenue by 2030.
Even the $24B bear case would be the fastest advertising ramp in history.
The key lever is commercial intent: if it rises from 20% of chats to the mid-30s, the monetisable surface nearly doubles without adding users.
The question is no longer whether conversational advertising becomes a major channel, but how quickly brands learn to compete inside it.
Google’s IPO legitimised search budgets. OpenAI’s could do the same for conversation.
Credit to Daniel Salmon and the New Street Research team for putting a serious framework around conversational advertising.
Is Temu Pulling Back from Google Shopping in Europe?
Is Temu pulling back from Google Shopping in Europe?
Recent data from Smarter Ecommerce (smec) and MarketMaze shows a sharp drop in Temu’s Google Shopping advertiser overlap in early July, with SHEIN also declining.
A possible reason: the EU’s new €3 fee on low-value imports is putting pressure on already-thin margins, making paid search one of the first levers to cut.
The key question: will European retailers benefit from lower CPCs, or is this only a temporary reset?
Credit: Smarter Ecommerce (smec) and MarketMaze.
Google Tests Hidden Sponsored Products Again
Sachin Patel discovered that Google is testing again with hidden sponsored products!
Google Sends Email Reminders About Bidding Changes
Google started reminding about the bidding changes by email!
Brand Lift Study Strength Rolls Out to More Google Ads Accounts
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗵𝘁 is now live in more accounts! Thanks for sharing Thomas Eccel.
Google Support Email Appears to Be Down
Looks like Google Support (email) is down.
AI Performance Insights Enters Limited Pilot in Google Merchant Center
AI Performance Insights Now in Limited Pilot in GMC, thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová.