Google Ads news
Merchant Center changes
Emmanuel Flossie from FeedArmy Co., Ltd. discovered some big changes in the UI in Merchant Center!
For more information on it, check his video.
AI Max
Emirhan Bayutmuş discovered the new search terms and landing pages from AI Max! Good to see more insights on this new feature:).
Google Ads just changed.
They introduced:
“Conv. value (incl. predicted)”Here’s what that means:
– It includes forecasted revenue
– It can inflate ROAS
Why this matters:
Your campaigns may now look better than they perform.Clients may think they earned money they haven’t.
Discovered by Mitchel Wubben
New Sitelink test
Arpan Banerjee just spotted that Google is testing with scrollable links!
WhatsApp is rolling out ads.
But not where you’d expect.
Meta has confirmed that ads will start appearing in the Updates tab, the section where users post disappearing status updates and follow channels.
Private messages stay untouched (for now). But this marks the first real step toward monetizing WhatsApp at scale.
What’s changing:
– Ads will show in the Status feed alongside regular updates
– Channel promotions and paid subscriptions are being tested
– Targeting is based on basic signals: country, language, channel follows, ad interactions
What’s not changing:
– No ads in 1:1 or group chats
– No phone number or message content used for targeting
– No cross-app data sharing beyond Meta’s existing stack
My take:
Meta is turning WhatsApp into a more traditional ad platform just very slowly. By using the “Updates” tab as the entry point, they preserve the core experience while laying the groundwork for more aggressive monetization later.
For advertisers, this could become an interesting new placement especially in markets where WhatsApp dominates attention but hasn’t yet offered real performance ad inventory.
Thanks for sharing Thomas Eccel!
Feedback on videos
Vojtěch Audy & Hana Kobzová discovered that Google is now asking for feedback on auto-generated videos!
Three major Google updates for nonprofits
Global Expansion: Google for Nonprofits is now available in 100+ additional countries and territories, its largest rollout yet.
AI Features in Workspace: Nonprofits get free access to NotebookLM Audio Overviews and Gemini’s Deep Research to speed up content creation and research.
Ad Grants on Google Maps: Performance Max campaigns can now show free ads on Maps.
Offline conversions
Starting June 17, 2025, Google will change how Performance Max and Smart campaigns attribute and optimize for offline conversions.
The focus will shift away from view-through conversions on Display and YouTube, and instead prioritize high-intent actions like clicks from Search and Google Maps that are more likely to result in actual store visits or sales.
Expected Impact:
– A possible decrease in overall reported conversion volume.
– An increase in cost per conversion, reflecting a stronger focus on higher-quality outcomes.
Recommendations for Performance Max with Store Goals:
– Loosen bidding strategies and adjust conversion values.
– Add more offline conversion goals (such as driving directions or local actions).
– Expand location targeting and consolidate similar campaigns.
– Remove restrictive settings like dayparting or narrow geo-targeting.
– Refresh creative assets with new offers and visuals tailored to local shoppers.
Smart Campaigns Recommendations:
– Broaden campaign reach with more search themes and business locations.
– Update ad creatives with relevant promotions and current content.
– Avoid ad scheduling to ensure continuous visibility.
New Target CPC Bidding
Dario Zannoni discovered this new documentation on Target CPC!Target CPC (tCPC) is an automated bidding strategy designed to get you as many clicks as possible at your target average cost-per-click.
It works similarly to Target CPA, but optimizes for clicks instead of conversions.
How it works:
– Google uses real-time auction signals (like device, time, audience, etc.) to adjust bids per impression.
– Some clicks may cost more or less than your target, but the system will aim to average it out.
– You can set Target CPC at both campaign and ad group levels (ad group settings override campaign-level bids).
Best use cases:
– Campaigns focused on website traffic or awareness, not direct conversions.
– Situations where you want to control CPCs tightly (e.g. limited budgets or precise ROI goals).
– Works well for remarketing audiences or tightly-defined verticals, where clicks are more likely to convert.
Setup tips:
– You must choose “Clicks” as your campaign goal to enable Target CPC.
– Expect daily spend to sometimes reach up to 2x your daily budget, though the monthly limit won’t be exceeded.
– This strategy may not be suitable for performance-driven goals like conversions or ROAS which are better served by Target CPA or Max Conversions.
Google has introduced a new feature for local inventory ads
Emmanuel Flossie discovered that Google has launched Website‑reported Autofeeds enabling near real-time stock updates via Google Tag Manager.
How it works
When a user clicks a “Check availability” button on your site, a GTM tag sends key inventory data (availability, price, product/store ID, etc.) directly to Merchant Center.
No feed file is required.
For more information, check his video.
Google Ads is rolling out a new conversion setup flow
The new process guides you step-by-step:
– Choose your conversion goal (purchase, lead, etc.)
– Select event type: codeless or manual
– Get tailored instructions based on your setup (gtag, GTM, etc.)
– Easy-to-copy tags and cleaner UX
This update is rolling out gradually, so you might not see it in all accounts yet.
Thanks for sharing Barry Schwartz & Saquib Syed!
For all the pictures, check this post.
Colors in the Graphics
GA4 has done it! Brighter colors for the interface graphics.
Spotted by Luuk Fiets & Brais Calvo Vázquez.
GA4 – Measurement Protocol Device Data
Brais Calvo Vázquez discovered that Google has added the possibility of sending or overwriting data related to the device (model, browser, operating system…) through the measurement protocol!
New Google Ads Slider?
Saurabh Singh discovered this new Google Ads slider in his Ads!
New check mark
Anthony Higman discovered that Google is now testing with a blue verified check mark instead of the green screened check mark!
Search Ads 360
Google is enhancing its Commerce Media offerings across Search Ads 360, Display & Video 360, and Google Ads, now available in beta.
These solutions use Google AI to drive performance while maintaining control and transparency for advertisers.
Key updates include:
Retail media network integration: Roundel is the first to enable online, app, and offline sales measurement in Performance Max via Search Ads 360.
Expanded campaign support: Google Ads now allows Commerce Media use in Search, Shopping, and Demand Gen campaigns, beyond Performance Max.
Self-service for retailers: Marketplaces like Shopee, Rakuten, and Flipkart can now share product catalogs directly with brands.
Retail media on YouTube: Through Display & Video 360, brands can scale off-site retail media on YouTube.
Product-level measurement pilot: Enables detailed insights into how media spend impacts product and category sales.
Brands and retailers can contact their Google account team to join the beta.
Looker Studio update
The Assets: search API endpoint now supports bidirectional pagination. A new previousPageToken attribute has been added to the response, allowing users to navigate both forward and backward through result sets.
Google Ads Gambling Policy Update
Brazil (June 2025)Effective June 18, 2025, Google Ads will update its gambling app advertising policy in Brazil to align with local regulations.
Key changes:
Licensed gambling operators in Brazil can promote their apps if they show a clear link between:
– Their valid gambling license
– Their app listing (on App Store or Play Store)
– Their registered website domain
– The operator’s domain must display a prominent, functional link to the app listing.
Certification is required. Advertisers must submit full app details during the application process.
Only specific gambling formats are allowed:
-Lotteries
– Horse racing
– Fixed-odds betting
– Daily fantasy sports
Applications that don’t meet these criteria won’t be approved. The updated policy and application form will go live on June 18, 2025.
New PMAX setting to turn off now
Google is auto-enabling a setting in PMAX that pulls any image from your landing page for ads, overriding your uploads…
Spotted by Anthony Tierney, something to watch out for.
Open Call
At Cannes Lions 2025, YouTube announced Open Call, a new feature within YouTube BrandConnect that helps brands easily collaborate with multiple creators at scale.
Brands can publish a creative brief through the creator partnerships hub, inviting YouTube Partner Program creators to submit campaign video ideas.
Brands can then review, approve, and promote these videos as partnership ads with performance tracking built in.
Open Call enables:
– Scalable discovery and collaboration with YouTube creators
– Easier campaign execution with user-submitted content
– Broader opportunities for creators of all sizes
– Enhanced brand impact through trusted creator voicesCurrently available to select advertisers, with broader rollout details coming soon.
Google Ads Referral
Dario Zannoni discovered this Google Ads Referral program, I did not know that did existed.
Callout reviews
Anthony Higman discovered these new Emoji’s And “Reviews Mention” Callout On Local Services Ads!
Google Ads UI Update
The updated Ad group view now shows ads and keywords side-by-side in a single card! Discovered by Natasha Kaurra.
New label
Google Ads is checking a new background check label!
Discovered by Barry Schwartz and Shameem Adhikarath!