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Google Ads newsletter – week 5

Google Ads news

New advertiser page

Thomas Eccel discovered that Google has launched a new look for the Advertiser Identity page!


Google Update: Control Ads Identifier Usage with IMA DAI SDK

Google’s IMA DAI SDK now supports adding a network code when creating full-service stream requests using LiveStreamRequest and VODStreamRequest classes. This ensures Ad Manager settings, such as disabling local storage for limited ads, are applied when programmatic limited ads are turned off.

This feature is supported on HTML5, Android, iOS, tvOS, Chromecast, and Roku. For more information, refer to Google’s Ad Manager documentation or contact the IMA technical forum.


GA4 Update: New Consent Mode live

Thomas Eccel discovered that the new GA4 consent report is live

Insights:

1. EEA Traffic Split: Percentage of traffic and conversions from the EEA.

.2. Behavioural Impact: Inactive cookie consent affects user reporting and modelling.

3. Advertising Signals: Inactive ads consent impacts measurement, remarketing, and demographics.

Note that having consent mode these days is crucial for your privacy policy. My preferred way to install it is with Cookiebot Web CMP by Usercentrics .


YouTube Tests Cost-Per-Hour Masthead Ads

YouTube is introducing a Cost-Per-Hour (CPH) Masthead, allowing brands to own its top ad space by the hour.

This new model offers 100% share of voice across all devices during specific timeframes, ideal for major launches and cultural moments.

Key Details:

How It Works: Brands purchase specific hours for guaranteed Masthead impressions on desktop, mobile, TV, and tablets.

Why It Matters: Provides maximum visibility and precise control during critical marketing moments, complementing YouTube’s existing CPM (Cost-Per-Thousand) Masthead ads.

Benefits: Flat hourly pricing ensures predictable budgeting, making it suitable for product launches, time-sensitive announcements, and events.Advertisers should contact their YouTube representative to explore this option.


Vehicle ads live

Nice. Seeing vehicle ads for the first time live in The Netherlands! Interesting to see that AutoScout is advertising because that is a big platform. For all the smaller car resellers make sure to test and try!


Google Updates Performance Max Campaign Controls

Google Updates Performance Max Campaign ControlsGoogle has now clearly communicated that API-based placement exclusions are effective.

This contradicts months of official documentation and support guidance claiming such controls only worked through the user interface!

Credit to Navah Hopkins for diving deeper into this topic and sharing with Search Engine Land.


Google Ads API & Scripts Update:

Search Term Insight Report Changes (March 3, 2025)Starting March 3, 2025, Google Ads API and Google Ads scripts will no longer return search subcategory data in search term insight reports, aligning with the Google Ads UI.

What to Do:

Ensure your code can handle empty values for segments.search_subcategory.

Remove segments.search_subcategory from queries to avoid issues.This update ensures consistency across Google Ads platforms.


Meridian general available

As of January 29, Google has made Meridian, its open-source Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) tool, generally available to all marketers and data scientists.

Initially launched in March 2024, Meridian was first offered in limited availability but has since been fully released to the public.

Meridian is designed to help businesses measure the impact of their marketing efforts across various channels in a privacy-conscious manner.

It offers features such as advanced Bayesian modeling, cross-channel measurement, and budget optimization insights.


File uploader

Hana Kobzová discovered that Google made an update to the file uploader window in Merchant Center!


Google Ads API Research Group

Google has announced the launch of the Google Ads API Research Group. As a member of the research group, Google will invite you to participate in user research opportunities, such as surveys and usability studies.


Google is going to test with AI-generated images

For a limited time your products may appear with a background generated by AIGoogle is aiming to improve the performance of Ads with this test. If you got this mail and you want to have control opt out.


New Ways to Enhance Performance with Demand Gen

What’s New in Demand Gen?

Expanded Channel Controls

– Choose where your ads appear across YouTube, Discover, and Gmail. Target YouTube Shorts specifically.

– Google Display inventory is now available, reaching 90% of the global internet population

Enhanced Creative Tools

– New 9:16 vertical image ads for YouTube Shorts.

– AI-powered video enhancements to generate shorter versions of videos.

– Improved ad creation flow with easier collaboration.

– Boost Sales with Seamless Shopping Experiences

– Product Feeds (coming soon) enable deeper product discovery.

– Local Offers show real-time product availability, driving in-store visits.

Performance Comparison Across Platforms

– New reporting columns help compare Demand Gen vs. paid social performance.

– View-through conversions provide clearer cross-channel insights.

Upgrading from Video Action Campaigns

– April 2025: No new Video Action Campaigns can be created.

– March 2025: Upgrade tool launches to transition smoothly.

– July 2025: Automatic upgrades for remaining campaigns begin.


Download with filters

Emmanuel Flossie discovered that you can finally download based on specific filters in the Merchant Center.


Remarketing Bug

Guy Schepers discovered that in some accounts, the remarketing tag hits are not displayed in the interface. I have heard some more complaints in the last few days. Guy posted that the remarketing tag is firing.


Tagging appointment

Natasha Kaurra discovered this new tagging appointment pop-up in Google!


Sitelinks YouTube

Interesting. Sitelinks for YouTube on the right side and below a call to action. Can’t remember seeing this before.


New conversion interface

Sarah Brocker discovered the new conversion interface update! They also have a no code option.


Restriction

Natasha Kaurra discovered that Google Ads services can now be restricted. The violation policies introduced last year are finally being enforced.


Pins in picture

Anthony Higman discovered that Google is testing with pins in pictures for Ads!


Week 5 finished

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