Google Ads News
Recommendations GA4
Florijan Abazi discovered that GA4 has now recommendations you can apply.
Mail new user GMC
Emmanuel Flossie discovered that you will now receive an email if a new user is added to a Google Merchant Center account!
Eligible section Ads
Christine Zirnheld discovered that Ad Preview Diagnosis info is now available in the ads tab for RSAs!
New LSA favicon
Anthony Higman discovered a new favicon for LSA Ads.
New Merchant Center Recommendations in GA4
Arpan Banerjee just send me that Google will now help you identify and fix product disapprovals from Google Merchant Center, ensuring your items can appear in Google Shopping results and Shopping ads.
These new recommendations, found in Google Analytics on the Home page, Insights hub, Reports snapshot, and the Acquisition overview report, alert you to issues preventing your products from being approved in Google Merchant Center.
Official announcement Demand Gen D & V 360
Google announced that Demand Gen is now available in Display & Video 360!
New membership pricing info
Emmanuel Flossie discovered that Google has added the following new info on membership pricing: As part of free membership signup, Merchants may verify the new account information via an activation code sent by email or by SMS.
Looker Studio Update – November 21, 2024
View All Filters: Report viewers can now see all filters applied to a report, even those they can’t edit.
Filter Value Suggestions: Editors can choose from suggested filter values based on the underlying data when using “Equal to (=)” or “In” conditions. This works for all data connectors and can be disabled.
Looker Connector Enhancements:
Filter-only fields can be used as report controls or quick filters.
Filter value suggestions are now displayed using LookML’s suggest_dimension and suggest_exploredefinitions for “Equal to (=)” and “In” conditions.
Google Ads Policy Update: Misleading Ad Design
Starting January 23, 2025, ads using standalone buttons in image ads without clear context or with disproportionate prominence will be restricted. Full enforcement will roll out over 8 weeks.
Violations won’t lead to immediate account suspension; a warning will be issued at least 7 days in advance.
Review your ads and remove non-compliant ones by January 23, 2025.
New GA4 feature
New GA4 feature spotted by Kyle Rushton McGregor the ability to copy exploration reports across properties.
AI Sales Assistant
Google is testing with an AI Sales Assistant directly in search results! Very interesting. Video credits SERP Alert
Update to Discover Feed Advertising Policies
I just got this message from Arpan Banerjee that starting January 2025, Google will streamline advertising policies to simplify compliance and enhance clarity.
Key Changes:
Retirement of Discover Feed-specific requirements: The Discover Feed ads format requirements will be removed.
Unified Ad Standards for YouTube & Discover Feed: Image, text, and video policies will be consolidated under YouTube Ad Standards, ensuring consistency across platforms. Gmail will align with Google Ads and Personalized Ads Policies.
What This Means:
Simplified Compliance: Manage ad quality guidelines under a single, unified standard.Streamlined Process: Save time aligning with one set of policies.
New confirmation box
Hana Kobzová discovered that Google Ads has added a new confirmation box for various appeal types!
Audience insights DV360 Line items
Emirhan Bayutmuş discovered that audience Insights for DV360 Line İtems are now available.
V202411 Google Ad Manager API
The v202411 release of the Google Ad Manager API is now live as of November 21, 2024.
Key updates include:
– Support for INVENTORY_FORMAT reporting dimensions.
– Removal of GOOGLE as a GrpProvider.
– The EndDateTime field in the PublisherQueryLanguageService Line_Item table has been renamed to ServingEndTime to better distinguish it from LineItem.endDateTime.
The value remains inclusive of any grace period. These changes are effective immediately.
New Policy Japan
In January 2025, the Japan country-specifics of the Healthcare and medicines policy will be updated to allow online pharmacies and telemedicine providers to promote prescription drug services.
Update Taiwan Policy
On November 5, 2024, Google updated the disclosing info in relation to “Act for Prevention and Control of Hazards of Fraudulent Crimes” of Taiwan (“Taiwan Anti-Fraud Act”).
API 2025 Schedule
Google released their API 2025 release and sunset schedule!
Creative Studio Q1
Deepak Prajapati discovered that Ads Creative Studio will sunset in 2025 Q1.
GA4 Issue
GA4 had some issues with registering data that issue is now fixed.
Response Google DOJ
Georgi Zayakov sent me a new article from Google where they react to the DOJ case and the consequences for them.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent proposal in its lawsuit against Google would have severe consequences for both consumers and America’s global tech leadership. Instead of addressing the case’s main issue, the DOJ has suggested drastic changes that go far beyond the court’s original ruling.
These changes could harm Google’s products, including Search, Chrome, and potentially Android, compromising security, privacy, and user experience.
The proposal also risks disclosing sensitive personal data and stifling investment in AI, a key innovation where Google plays a leading role.
Additionally, it could disrupt businesses like Mozilla and introduce excessive government control over Google’s operations, harming consumers and the broader tech ecosystem.
This extreme intervention could undermine America’s technological competitiveness at a critical time. Google plans to offer its proposals in response next month.
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New Customer Match for Google Analytics
Google now allows you to use Customer Match to enhance Analytics audiences exported to linked advertising products like Google Ads, Display & Video 360, and Search Ads 360. By matching hashed, consented first-party data with Google data, this feature:
– Expands your addressable audience when other identifiers are unavailable.
– Maximizes remarketing efforts by reaching highly relevant audiences.
How to Enable Customer Match:
– Set up user-provided data collection on your website.
– Link your Google Analytics property with your advertising products.
– Enable personalized advertising.This integration improves campaign reach and effectiveness by leveraging your first-party data.
New Shopping experience
Google is transforming shopping experiences both online and in-store with AI-powered updates:
AI-Powered In-Store Insights:
Google Lens now provides tailored product details for in-store shoppers, showing price comparisons, reviews, and similar products. This is powered by the Shopping Graph’s 45 billion+ product listings and AI advancements. Available in the U.S. for beauty, toys, and electronics.
Local Product Search in Maps:
Starting this holiday season, Google Maps lets users search for specific items (e.g., festive sweaters) and see nearby stores with relevant inventory. Available soon in the U.S.Expanded
Payment Options:
Google Pay adds Afterpay, with Klarna coming soon, alongside buy now, pay later options from Affirm and Zip. Virtual cards now include Discover for secure transactions. Google is also piloting tools to help merchants detect and prevent fraud.
New sitelinks test
Arpan Banerjee discovered this new design test with the sitelinks from Google Ads.
New account creation
Goran Vuzem discovered a new account creation when you’re creating an account from MCC!
Conversion Action WhatsApp
Arpan Banerjee discovered that it looks like Google has introduced a new conversion action called “conversation started.” He believed this appeared when the WhatsApp message asset was used.
New Demand Gen settings
Campaigns can now be duplicated and automatically saves the URL, logo, titles, and descriptions so you only have to change the creatives.
So, if for example you have a video + feed, you can duplicate it for the image + feed format, removing the videos, keeping everything else and only having to upload the new videos to Google.
Discovered by CrackPPC – Digital Marketing Agency – Google Shopping & Merchant Specialists
Improvements to Google Analytics cost data import
Google has made it easier to understand your imported ads cost data in Google Analytics.
You can now get insights into your imported cost data even if there was no matching record for the required dimensions.
In an effort to reduce friction and increase the usefulness of your imported cost data, Google has changed how Google Analytics handles unmatched imported cost data.
Google Analytics will now report your cost, impressions and/or clicks on any combination of the imported required dimensions.
This change gives you a more complete and accurate view of your advertising performance, leading to better informed decisions and more effective campaign optimization.
New Tracking setup design
Soufiane Cheffaj discovered that Google is testing a new Tracking setup design!
Extra information on NFL Sunday Ticket Lineup Targeting on YouTube
Google posted new information about the NFL Sunday Tick Lineup Targeting.
When booking NFL Lineup ads (US only) on YouTube, only a limited set of targeting options are available to “ensure” optimal performance.
Supported Targeting:Age (2+ buckets), Gender, Location (minimum 5 states), and Campaign duration (at least 2 weeks).
Discouraged Targeting:Languages, Devices, Demographics, and Audience/Channel Exclusions may cause underdelivery.
Ad Formats:Non-skippable, skippable in-stream ads, and bumper ads.Restrictions:No politics, gambling, or pharmaceuticals ads allowed.
For more information read this.
Change enhanced conversions
Starting in May 2025, Google Ads will automatically upgrade your account to use enhanced conversions at the account level if no action is taken.
Here’s how the change impacts your account and settings:
Automatic Selection of Implementation Method:
If you haven’t manually chosen an implementation method for enhanced conversions, Google will select one based on your current setup.This means if you’re using both Google tag and Google Tag Manager, Google will default to one of these methods and apply it to all your conversion actions.Impact on
Existing Conversion Actions:
Existing Actions with Enhanced Conversions: These will continue benefiting from enhanced conversions at the account level, with no disruption.Existing Actions without Enhanced Conversions: These will be automatically upgraded to use enhanced conversions, unless they were explicitly opted out.
New Conversion Actions:
Any new conversion actions you create after the upgrade will inherit the account-level enhanced conversions settings, meaning they’ll automatically have enhanced conversions enabled.
Tag Settings Consolidation:
All your enhanced conversion settings will be managed at the account level, meaning individual conversion action settings will no longer exist.If you have Google tag settings set up for other features like Google Analytics, those settings will be merged with the new account-level enhanced conversion settings.
Action Required:
To avoid any automatic changes, you should choose one of the following implementation methods before the May 2025 deadline:
Google Tag
Google Tag Manager
Google Ads API
You can manage and update these settings in your Google Ads Data Manager.
By May 2025, if you haven’t selected a method or opted out, Google will automatically apply the account-level enhanced conversion setup based on your current configuration.
To ensure seamless performance and avoid disruptions, select your preferred data collection method ahead of time.
For more information read this.
DOJ Case against Google
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning aggressive remedies following its antitrust victory against Google, including a potential forced sale of Google’s Chrome browser.
This action stems from the DOJ’s successful case against Google’s search monopoly, and the proposed remedies aim to increase competition in the digital marketplace.
Key proposals include forcing Google to sell Chrome, separating Android from Google Search and Play, expanding advertiser control, restricting Google’s AI content use, and banning exclusive search contracts.
These measures are designed to limit Google’s ability to cross-promote its products, which the DOJ argues has stifled competition.
Google has criticized these proposals as overly broad, and the judge’s response will determine how significantly Google’s business model may need to change….
Top Changes Google Ads
Google released a page with what they think are their top launches of 2024. You can check it here.
Encrypt Data
Ginny Marvin posted that advertisers now also have the option to encrypt their data themselves and receive proof. This optional technique works using customer-owned encryption keys managed by Google Cloud Key Management Service. There is a nominal cost associated with this option.
In Store & Online
Sachin Patel & Barry Schwartz discovered this “in store” and “online” tab sponsored ads interface for its search ads and a near you tab. Looks new to me!
New Carousel test
Thomas Eccel discovered this new carousel test from Google.Not that when clicking on the Ad, you won’t get redirected to the website but the Google My Business site will open.
New shopping incentive
Arpan Banerjee spotted a new promotion incentive I had not seen before. It is called Cashback! Have you guys seen this before?
Roll-out AI overview Ads
Google has started integrating sponsored ads into its AI Overview feature, as seen in a recent U.S. mobile search example shared by James F Gibbons on X & Barry Schwartz. This marks an initial rollout of paid listings in AI-driven search summaries.
New Feature in Google Merchant Center – Sale Price Suggestions
Yash Mandlesha discovered that Google has introduced a new feature called Sale Price Suggestions in Google Merchant Center, designed to optimize pricing for businesses running Shopping Ads.
Big promotion screen
Barry Schwartz discovered that Google Ads is pushing this big promotion full screen, looks like they also want some profit in Q4.
New Photo Test
Anthony Higman discovered a new test where photos are smaller & centered on a grey background.
Ad Grants
Jason King discovered that you can see if Ads are funded by Google Ad Grants.
Pmax Retail guide
Yesterday Google launched a short “guide” on how to get your Performance Max campaigns ready for the retail holidays. For more information go to this page.