Google Ads News
GA4 Update
Google launched a new diagnostic to alert users of issues with campaign data accuracy due to missing URL parameters. Properties where aggregate identifiers (GBRAID and gad_) are missing from the URL will see a new diagnostic, including the problematic URLs and ways to resolve the issue. These identifiers are important for campaign data accuracy.
GA4 update
Google has updated campaign data imports to require a currency field when uploading cost data. Advertisers can map currency from their source or apply one fixed currency, helping keep reporting accurate if property settings change.
Demand Gen
Google’s July Demand Gen update introduces new retail tools for the holiday season, including Checkout Links in nine additional markets, upgraded Target ROAS bidding, product feed integrations and expanded creator partnerships. Google says advertisers using Checkout URLs saw an average 6% increase in conversions.
Casino
Starting in August 2026, Google will gradually let some advertisers apply for Social Casino Games certification directly in Google Ads under Admin > Policy > Account. Help Center applications will remain available, and existing certifications or pending applications will not be affected.
Measurement
Google has expanded its Ads conversion measurement guidance with clearer timelines, permissions and data-source recommendations. Key updates include a 7–14 day Smart Bidding learning period, 24–48 hour setup delays, and guidance on conversion goals, tags, Analytics imports and Consent Mode. Credit: Barry Schwartz.
Generate image
Google Ads now lets advertisers upload reference images when generating AI visuals. Products, people, backgrounds or style references can be combined with text prompts to create more tailored ad images. Credit: First spotted by Arpan Banerjee.
Budget Panel
Google Ads is introducing a Budget Panel for Performance Max and Demand Gen campaigns. It provides Low, Medium and High daily budget recommendations, along with performance forecasts based on campaign settings and account history.
Credit: Barry Schwartz.
New Guide
Google has published new guidance for tracking offline conversions using GBRAID, a privacy-preserving and case-sensitive URL parameter. It helps advertisers measure more click-based conversions and improve campaign bidding without linking data to individual users.Credit: Barry Schwartz. First spotted by Shauvik Kumar.
API update
Google’s latest Data Manager API update adds a bulk method to remove all audience members, field-level ingestion warnings for optional data, and expanded address support for Google Analytics events. These changes make audience refreshes, error handling and user-data ingestion more flexible.
DV360
Google has added optional AI content-labeling fields to the Campaign Manager 360 and Display & Video 360 APIs. Advertisers can mark creatives as AI-generated or AI-edited, with labels applied in regulated regions including the EU, India and New York state.
Passkey
Google Ads API will require passkey authentication for new OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens starting August 5, 2026. Existing refresh tokens and service account workflows are unaffected, but new users may face a seven-day security delay after creating a passkey.
V10.1
Google has released Structured Data Files v10.1 for Display & Video 360, adding AI transparency labels, DOOH campaign support, creative mapping fields and improved bulk management. Versions before v10 are now deprecated, so teams using SDFs should update their workflows.
AI
Google is testing AI-generated descriptions in Shopping and Product ads. The added context may help shoppers make better decisions, but advertisers have limited control over how products are summarized. The impact on CTR and conversions remains unclear.
Credit: Anu Adegbola, mMBA. First spotted by PPC expert Brodie Clark.
OpenAI
OpenAI is changing daily ad budgets to a 7-day average, allowing spend up to 2× the daily budget on some days while staying within the weekly limit. This may help performance, but advertisers should monitor spending closely, especially near the $25/day minimum.
Thanks for sharing Anthony Higman
OpenAI
The next generation of ads may not send you to a website.OpenAI is reportedly testing ads that launch a business-agent conversation inside ChatGPT, complete with product data, support information, tools, and lead-capture forms.Credit: Juozas Kaziukėnas
Pmax
Google has officially documented negative keyword impact prediction for Performance Max.Advertisers can preview how up to 10 negative keywords may affect conversions or conversion value across Search and Shopping inventory.
The feature is currently limited to Performance Max, with broader rollout possible later. Thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová
Lead Journey Mapping
Google Ads has launched Lead Journey Mapping, a new drag-and-drop tool for lead generation advertisers.
It helps visualize the full customer journey, identify key touchpoints, and align campaign bidding with business goals.The feature was first spotted through a newly published Google Ads help page discovered by Hana Kobzová.
Clicks
Yash Mandlesha discovered that Google has gained product clicks and non-product clicks!
AI Label
Google is rolling out AI content labels across Google Ads, Merchant Center, and Ads Editor. Advertisers can mark assets as AI-generated or AI-edited, and labeled ads may display an icon and disclosure when shown. The update is designed to improve transparency around AI-generated advertising content.
Thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová.
Bidding
Google appears to be presenting Target CPA and Target ROAS as standalone bidding strategies in campaign setup. The functionality remains unchanged, but the new layout makes Smart Bidding options clearer and easier to select. Found by Natasha Kaurra.
New Task
Arpan Banerjee received this new task, here you need to submit an application to use copyrighted content in your ads.
Upgrade Video Reach and Video
Google will automatically upgrade legacy Video Reach and Video View campaigns starting in September.
Video Reach campaigns will support In-stream, Shorts, and In-feed ads, while Max CPV campaigns will move to Target CPV. Campaign stats will remain, but ad and ad group histories will reset.
Thanks for sharing Marcin Wsół & Hana Kobzová.
YouTube Audio Ads
Google has published its first official guide for creating YouTube audio ads.The format supports YouTube and YouTube Music, with 30-second video creatives, Target CPM bidding, and practical voiceover best practices.
Thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová.
AI Label
Google Ads now lets advertisers label videos created or edited with AI.The new AI use section supports disclosure requirements across regions, including the EU from August 2.
A timely update for advertisers using AI-generated video content.
Thanks for sharing Hana Kobzová, Marcin Wsół and Felix Duerler.