📰 Google Ads and wider PPC news

Starting October 15, Google added an in-account application route for online gambling ad certification directly within the Google Ads interface, under the Admin section, rolling out gradually to some advertisers from October 2026.

On October 21, the Google Ads Developer Blog announced that image extraction will default to OPTED_IN for new Performance Max campaigns, overriding the account-level setting, effective December 4, 2026.

Google updated its sexual content policy in Google Ads on October 14, adding 'strongly' and 'moderately restricted' tiers along with six subsections of examples; such ads will only be allowed to run on the Search Network.

Google Ads notified Local Services Ads advertisers that featured professionals will no longer appear on their ads and that headshots will become optional without impacting ad serving. The change was reported on October 19.

Google released API version 26 on October 14, adding read access to Search Lift studies, programmatic creation of Local Services Performance Max campaigns, and a looser EU political ad declaration. This is the first version under the new twice-monthly release cadence.

Google Ads Product Liaison Ginny Marvin published answers on LinkedIn on October 16 about the new channel controls, confirming Performance Max can set Search partner spend to 0% and that promotion mode's ROAS tolerance ranges from 5% to 90%. Some of her answers don't match Google's own help documentation.

On October 14, Google began globally rolling out new Channel Prioritization and Budget Allocation controls across Search, Shopping, Performance Max, and Demand Gen campaigns, letting advertisers label channels as high or low priority. Advertisers who don't configure this before February 2027 risk unwanted shifts in spend allocation between Search and Display.

On October 20, Google announced its Financial Services Verification program will extend to the US and Canada in early 2027, requiring advertisers to prove regulatory authorization before running certain financial ads. US banks will be verified through the American Bankers Association's registry.

Advertisers running short sales events can now utilize seasonality adjustments in Demand Gen campaigns. This feature enhancement aims to accommodate conversion rate spikes during peak periods, such as Black Friday. The recent update to the Google Ads help page confirms that seasonality adjustments a

Bing is currently testing a call-to-action (CTA) button within its Copilot ads. The test includes a "Learn more" button appearing on the left side of sponsored results. This update was spotted by Sachin Patel . The post Bing Tests CTA Button in Copilot Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .

Google has updated its Performance Max campaigns to allow automatic use of sourced videos from approved sources . This change no longer requires advertisers to opt-in manually. Previously, the use of sourced videos was an opt-in feature, turned off by default. Now, advertisers must actively choose t

Starting October 21, 2026, Google will update its Financial Products and Services policy to include regulatory changes and clarify licensing requirements for cryptocurrency-related advertisements targeting the United Arab Emirates . Advertisers offering Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Software Wallets

Google is now experimenting with displaying ads in AI Mode integrated with Personal Intelligence . Previously, AI Mode was ad-free for users who chose to connect their apps, but this is changing. Google confirmed that AI Mode will feature relevant ads based on query context and user interests, while

Starting in October, Google will no longer display the Featured Professionals section in Local Service Ads. The headshots will now be optional and will not affect ad serving. Advertisers can still include photos and reviews, ensuring that the rest of the ad content remains unchanged. This change is

An analysis notes that unlike Google Ads, which lets advertisers review and remove individually generated text assets, ChatGPT Ads offers no preview or approval of each variation before it runs, though destination URLs can only change to another page on the advertiser's own site.

OpenAI notified advertisers it will automatically enable creative enhancements for new and existing self-serve campaigns starting October 30, 2026, allowing the system to rewrite headlines and descriptions, resize images, change destination URLs and translate ad text without per-version approval. Advertisers can opt out beforehand via Ads Manager.

In the 26 new countries, advertisers can buy ChatGPT Ads through technology partners or self-service access via Ads Manager, though not every market gets immediate self-serve, as was the case with India in August.

OpenAI announced it will roll out ChatGPT Ads to 26 additional countries, including Argentina, Peru, Nigeria, South Africa and Ukraine, bringing total availability to 89 nations. The company said its ad business hit a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate in August.

Google has added a new prediction markets section to its main Ads policies, establishing mandatory rules requiring local licenses and explicit Google account certification before running ads.

Google removed Discover-Tech LTD, listed since 2020, from its ads personalization providers file after a report linked its domains to a spyware attack affecting 45 devices.

An email confirmed on LinkedIn states that Data Manager will stop requiring SHA-256 hashed customer data starting November 16, 2026, accepting encrypted data instead.

Google has started integrating promotions directly into Shopping ads within AI Mode . This addition sees offers like "Buy 4, get $20 off" appearing alongside product information. Previously, these ads displayed only images, prices, and brands. Users can now click on these offers to view further deta

Bing is currently testing a new ad placement strategy by positioning sponsored ads at the very top of their search engine results page. This change suggests an increase in visibility for advertisers, offering them a new channel to capture attention and drive traffic. This dedicated top placement cou

Google Merchant Center's new fast delivery feature enhances product visibility for retailers, offering customers expedited delivery options. This feature incentivizes purchases by reducing basket abandonment rates and increasing visibility through the 'Get it fast' filter on Google Search, currently

Microsoft has updated its advertising policy regarding Surveillance products and services . The revision broadens the previous 'Surveillance Equipment' policy to include explicit examples of prohibited and permitted items and services. The renamed ' Surveillance Products and Services ' policy now pr

Google has revamped its Data Strength best practices help document , emphasizing the use of more first-party data and identifiers. It now includes detailed guidance on using the Data Manager effectively, adopting AI-powered campaigns , and leveraging performance statistics. The updated document high

OpenAI's recently updated help page states creative enhancements will start Thursday, October 29, while the email sent to advertisers cites Friday, October 30 as the start date. Advertisers are advised to act before October 29 to be safe.

PPC expert Anthony Higman shared screenshots on LinkedIn showing some law firm Local Services Ads listings already appearing without headshots weeks before Google's official announcement confirming the October change.

According to Search Engine Roundtable, Google Ads will allow online gambling advertisers to obtain a specific certification in order to advertise this type of service on the platform.

Starting October 14-15, Google Ads lets advertisers mark Search, Shopping, Performance Max and Demand Gen channels as 'High' or 'Low' priority, fully funding high-priority channels before allocating remaining budget to low-priority ones while still respecting Target CPA/ROAS goals.

Google's Ads Product Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed on October 16 that PMax advertisers can set Search partner spend to 0%, though Google describes that cap as 'best effort'. Search campaigns opted into Display Network will lose their current spend setup starting February 2027.

Google announced that Local Services Ads will no longer showcase individual professionals, such as lawyers, and headshots are now optional without affecting ad serving. The change was spotted by PPC advertiser Anthony Higman and shared on LinkedIn/X.

Google Ads has introduced several updates focused on enhancing data strategy within Demand Gen campaigns: Advertisers can now leverage the Data Strength Uplift metric to gauge conversion improvements driven by their data setup. The Data Manager feature is expanding its capabilities to include Displa

Google Ads is testing a new setting called "Partners" in Performance Max , previously known from Search campaigns, offering advertisers more control. It shows two independent options within the settings: "Search Partners" and "Google Display Network." Both options allow advertisers to choose where t

A new Search terms and ad combinations report has been spotted in Google Ads. This includes detailed visibility into search terms, ad headlines, landing pages, match sources, and asset origins for AI Max for Search campaigns . This update offers advertisers insights into which search terms triggered

Google has released version 26 of the Google Ads API , adding several new features and enhancements. To utilize the full range of new capabilities, advertisers must upgrade their client libraries and code. Among the key updates, the API now allows for streamlined EU political advertising declaration

Google is testing a new presentation style for Search ads, where portions of ad descriptions appear underlined and function as clickable links . Clicking these highlighted segments directs users to the advertiser's landing page. This experiment introduces additional clickable elements within ad copy

Google Ads API is set to enhance its release frequency to two times per month , starting with version v26. This move aims to provide faster access to new features available within the Google Ads UI. The API will continue to deliver four major releases annually , each available for a year post-releas

OpenAI is adding more day-to-day reporting features to ChatGPT Ads Manager, including an updated Conversions view, weekly account performance emails and a way for advertisers to submit feedback from the buying interface.

OpenAI emailed advertisers saying it has automatically enabled creative enhancements for ChatGPT Ads starting October 30, 2026, though advertisers can opt out or adjust settings anytime in Ads Manager.

TikTok confirmed on October 18 that it restored Bleecker Street's ad account after mistakenly blocking promotion of the 'Musk' documentary, allowing policy-compliant ads to resume.

OpenAI rolled out a batch of ChatGPT Ads product updates late Friday, including new visual ad formats (wider cards, larger desktop and mobile images, and a coming multi-image format), a redesigned conversions page, performance emails, new measurement partners, and a bug-reporting system.

Starting October 2026, Google will let some advertisers apply for online gambling certification directly within their Google Ads account, under a new Policy section in Admin.

Google Ads is testing a new look for sitelinks . Advertisers may notice that sitelinks in ads now include both the domain path and a brand favicon , offering a more visually informative representation. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Tests Sitelinks with Domain Path and Fa

Google appears to be testing a dotted underline on text within its sponsored search results. This update was shared by Sachin Patel and Adriaan Dekker . The post Dotted Underline Tested in Search Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .

Google now enables advertisers to scan websites or social media profiles to find images for their creative assets. This new feature facilitates easier image sourcing during the ad creation process. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Ads Adds Scan Another Website for Image Ass

Google has announced an update to the certification process for online gambling in Google Ads, set to begin in October 2026. Advertisers can soon apply for certifications directly within their Google Ads account under a new Policy Account section. This incremental rollout will provide the flexibilit

Google has updated its Sexual content policy article to offer clearer information and additional examples for advertisers. This update aims to help advertisers better understand the policy, though enforcement remains unchanged. Read the official help page here: Update to Sexual Content policy . The

Bing is testing a new design for sitelinks in Search ads , introducing white arrow buttons inside shadowed rectangles next to each link. The updated layout makes individual sitelinks more visually prominent, with the arrows acting as additional indicators that users can click through to specific lan

Google Ads AI Max for Search campaigns is appearing automatically enabled in some Google Ad Grants accounts , potentially activating the feature without advertisers manually opting in. AI Max uses broad match technology to expand keyword reach and matches ads with relevant searches based on landing

OpenAI expanded its advertising measurement capabilities through partnerships with companies including LiveRamp, AppsFlyer, Triple Whale and Northbeam, aimed at helping advertisers connect ChatGPT advertising to conversions and sales.

Google Ads updated its sexual content policies to provide additional examples and clearer information to advertisers, the company said.

Google Ads is experimenting with a new campaign creation experience that lets advertisers describe their advertising goals in natural language, with Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirming it as a test.

Automotive model feeds, known in beta as Vehicle Top Ads, are now available for vehicle manufacturers in Google Ads, allowing dynamic vehicle visuals, pricing and features alongside standard text ads.

Google Ads extended the duration of its performance-based cost adjustment beta for Demand Gen campaigns, increasing the maximum adjustment period from three weeks to 60 days.

Bing is experimenting with a new feature called "Popular Links" within sponsored ads in its search results. This feature includes clickable links, which indicated it could be a new display name for sitelinks . The test is reminiscent of a similar feature previously seen in Google Ads, which showcase

Testing AI Max just got easier and more granular for Search campaigns . Eligible accounts can now use a 1-click setup to create a 50/50 experiment automatically through Recommendations. Additionally, advertisers can manually refine experiments at the ad group level. The updated Google Ads help page

Build-to-order (BTO) vehicle ads are now serving in a limited capacity in nine countries, according to the latest Google Ads help documentation. BTO ads are operational for a small percentage of traffic in the United States , Germany , France , Netherlands , Italy , Spain , United Kingdom , Australi

Google Ads has updated its Reach Planner tool with average weekly frequency suggestions for YouTube media planners . As of October 2026, users can now adjust their media plan to align with recommended frequency benchmarks directly on the Reach Planner page. This update includes an example optimal ex

A new design for the Recommendations on Conversions page has been spotted, offering more space and providing additional information compared to the version seen in July . The updated page layout includes suggestions such as 'Submit lead form conversion,' 'Converted lead conversion,' and 'Qualified l

Google is testing the inclusion of pharmaceutical products and related ads in its AI Mode and AI Overviews . A Google spokesperson confirmed to Adweek that they have "recently expanded" these surfaces to feature certain pharmaceutical products. The trial, which began this month, is limited to the U.

A 404 Media investigation published October 15 documented that ChatGPT uses the current conversation, past chats, memory, and advertiser-uploaded customer lists (with emails and phone numbers) to decide which ads to show outside Europe, while personalization and custom audiences are not initially available in the EEA and Switzerland.

OpenAI's roughly 140-person ad team has reorganized seven times since February as the ChatGPT ads business expands past 60 countries and reaches a $1 billion annualized revenue pace, with nearly half the team hired between July and September, mostly from Meta.

Google Ads is showing a new 'Overlay on Videos' setting in Demand Gen asset optimization that automatically adds key text messaging on top of videos, enabled by default.

Google Ads began rolling out a report that unifies search terms, headlines, descriptions and landing pages used by AI Max in a single view, helping advertisers spot mismatched pairings. The update was first spotted by specialist Natasha Kaurra and shared on LinkedIn.

Google began rolling out Universal Cart, an intelligent shopping cart that lets users save products from multiple retailers in one place with price-drop and restock alerts, built on its 60+ billion listing Shopping Graph. Checkout runs through the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and Google Wallet.

Google Ads rolled out controls letting advertisers designate Search, Shopping, Performance Max and Demand Gen campaigns as High or Low priority, funding priority channels first before allocating remaining budget. Advertisers can also set a percentage-based daily budget cap on lower-priority channels.

Microsoft Advertising has revamped its account setup process, allowing new advertisers to receive an AI-generated Performance Max campaign draft . By analyzing the business's website and optional brand guidelines , logos , and images , the platform creates a "business snapshot", which includes goals

Google has introduced a new attribution feature for Demand Gen campaigns, currently in beta. This development allows advertisers to isolate and fully credit Demand Gen campaign performance similar to social platforms like Meta or TikTok. Campaign Type Attribution isolates Demand Gen results, giving

Google Merchant Center has introduced a new warranty attribute for product data feeds. This attribute is now available for all products, addressing regions with regulations like Bill 29 in Canada/Quebec that require warranty information to appear in ads. The new warranty [warranty] attribute is opti

Microsoft has quietly implemented a significant policy change affecting multiple ad categories. Advertisers in certain restricted categories must now ensure their ads target users aged 18 and older. This adjustment impacts campaigns targeting age-agnostic audiences in affected verticals. The updated

Google Ads has updated its advertiser verification requirements , potentially asking for a second document to verify an advertiser's address . This change aims to further authenticate individual advertisers by matching the full name and address initially provided. The document must be one of the fol

OpenAI expanded self-service Ads Manager access to Southeast Asia, prompting local agencies like Rankpage to launch ChatGPT Ads management services for regional brands such as those in Malaysia.

OpenAI expanded its measurement integrations to include Northbeam, DV Rockerbox and INCRMNTAL, alongside mobile measurement partners Kochava, Tenjin and Airbridge, while testing larger images and wider ad cards across desktop and mobile.

A report from The Information published October 15 states that OpenAI has lowered ChatGPT ad prices and is hiring staff from Meta to attract small and midsize advertisers to the platform.

Gizmodo details how OpenAI's ad program checks whether accounts uploaded by advertisers match a ChatGPT user, making them eligible to see the ad; the company does not reveal the specific match to the advertiser.

Advertisers can upload lists of emails, phone numbers or Android advertising IDs so OpenAI matches them to real ChatGPT accounts; lists over 25,000 entries allow direct targeting while smaller ones only allow exclusion.

LinkedIn introduced In-Stream Ads, a pre-roll video format running across eligible creator and publisher content without individual deals, alongside expanded Creator Marketplace search tools.

Google released version 26 of the Google Ads API on October 15, 2026, introducing Search Lift measurement with 15 new metrics and support for Local Services Performance Max campaigns.

Google announced on October 12, 2026 it will double its Ads API release cadence to roughly two releases a month starting with v26 in October, while keeping four major versions per year.

On October 14, 2026, Google Ads launched global controls letting advertisers mark Search, Shopping, Performance Max and Demand Gen channels as high or low priority, with AI funding high-priority channels first before allocating remaining budget.

Google Merchant Center has introduced the store address [store_address] attribute , which is now required for each product submission for Local inventory ads and Local free listings . This attribute ensures that products are properly associated with a physical store location. Designed to standardize

Google Ads has added an option to mark specific answers as qualifying leads when creating custom questions in Lead Form assets. When setting up a custom question, advertisers can now select which answers qualify as valuable leads. Google explains that this option is designed to help businesses get h

Google Ads has introduced new channel prioritization and budget allocation features , expanding control for marketers. Advertisers can now categorize ad networks by priority and allocate budgets to secondary channels, allowing for safer testing without the all-or-nothing approach. Channel prioritiza

Advertisers using the Microsoft Conversions API can now restate and retract conversions , allowing for corrections in conversion data post-factum, such as in cases of refunds or cancellations. This ensures cleaner data for value-based bidding strategies. The update was detected on the Microsoft Adve

Google Ads is testing an updated billing menu that reorganizes sections and provides more links to various billing options. The new layout doubles the number of links available in the menu. In the revised billing menu, options like Billing Reports , Transactions , Payment Methods , and Account Budge

Starting October 14, advertisers began receiving a notice in Ads Manager saying the previously optional product browsing feature will switch to on by default for live ads starting October 28. Advertisers must opt out manually before that date if they don't want it.

OpenAI updated its Advertising Terms, which govern access via Ads Manager or approved APIs, stating that each campaign is subject to OpenAI's sole discretion for acceptance and that the company may monitor, suspend, or restrict account access to protect its reputation or enforce compliance.

TikTok unveiled Buy Direct, Shopping Assistant, Agentic Leads, Smart+ for search ads, and the expansion of its TikTok Ad Network (formerly Pangle) to US advertisers, reaching nearly 400,000 apps.

LinkedIn began testing In-Stream Ads with select US creators and advertisers, while also opening Advice Sessions to Business Premium subscribers and launching a new creator dashboard.

On October 15, Meta announced three new ad formats for Facebook and Instagram: Ads Super Burst with 3-to-24-hour reach windows, First Impression Ads reserving the first daily feed slot, and Reels Trending Ads.

LinkedIn and Amazon Ads announced that advertisers can now buy LinkedIn's CTV ads through Amazon DSP for US targeting, activating LinkedIn professional audience data such as job title, industry and seniority for streaming TV campaigns.

Meta announced it will automatically turn on in-ad product browsing for already-running campaigns starting October 28, 2026, unless advertisers opt out.

Meta unveiled four brand advertising updates: Ads Super Burst (3-24 hour booking windows with category exclusivity), First Impression Ads (first Facebook Feed slot in US testing), expanded Reels Trending Ads and a new Aggregated View Time metric.

Recent specialized coverage details that OpenAI's expansion includes integrations with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp, plus brand-safety pilot tests with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science.

LinkedIn announced new tools for professionals running side hustles and confirmed it is testing In-Stream Ads with select partners in the US, alongside a possible new Network feed and digital business cards for mobile.

OpenAI confirmed its advertising business reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate in less than 200 days since launch, noting the platform is now used by tens of thousands of advertisers worldwide.

Google Ads manager accounts can now create new accounts without the necessity of setting up a campaign first, simplifying onboarding for agencies managing multiple accounts.

Google has quietly started serving text ads from traditional Search campaigns inside AI Mode, collapsing the boundary between its conversational surface and the legacy auction.

Google is testing the use of AI to generate suggested goals and assets for Google Ads campaigns, which the company has confirmed is a current test.

Google will update its Business name requirements policy to allow differences between the business name and destination domain under three specific conditions, excluding resellers and intermediaries.

Google is accelerating its Google Ads API release schedule to twice a month, starting with version 26 in October 2026, giving developers faster access to new advertising features.

The UCP integration hub is now live in Google Merchant Center for US merchants. It sits under Settings UCP integration and opens with "Start selling across AI surfaces by implementing Universal Commerce Protocol." Until now, the hub was only described in a Merchant Center help page spotted earlier t

Google AI Mode is now showing three ads at the bottom of results instead of the usual two. This change offers more ad space for advertisers. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Google AI Mode Spotted Showing Three Ads Instead of Two appeared on PPC News Feed .

Automotive model feeds , known in beta as Vehicle Top Ads , are now available for vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) in Google Ads. This new format allows showcasing vehicle lineups with visuals and details directly in Google Search results. Participating advertisers can display dynamic images, pricing, a

Microsoft Advertising has introduced practical upgrades to its UI, enabling more efficient data manipulation within accounts. Advertisers can now use OR logic with multiple criteria in a single filter, benefiting performance tables and search terms reports. Additionally, users can filter tables by s

Google appears to be testing a larger three dot menu icon in Search ads on desktop . The change was spotted in the sponsored results section, where ads displayed a noticeably larger menu icon next to the advertiser URL. The icon allows users to access additional information about an ad and its adver

Google has confirmed an ongoing technical issue in Google Merchant Center where product video links are getting stuck in the processing state. The issue primarily involves a display discrepancy, with Google's engineering team actively pursuing a backend fix. Merchants are advised not to modify the v

An industry report describes that ChatGPT Ads now operates in more than 60 countries with direct self-serve buying for eligible businesses, targeting by conversation type rather than keywords, using a relevance-weighted second-price auction model.

A recent guide details the registration and verification process for creating a ChatGPT Ads Manager account, OpenAI's self-serve platform, which remains free until campaigns go live.

At its unBoxed 2026 event, Amazon introduced Amazon Ads Agent, merging the ad console and DSP into a single agentic AI-powered platform, along with Full-Funnel Campaigns and DVA+ for display, video and audio.

Meta notified advertisers that starting October 28, active ads on Facebook and Instagram will show in-app product details and suggestions before redirecting to the website, unless manually opted out. The company claims this feature drives 3% more conversions on average.

In early October 2026, data protection authorities in Hamburg, Berlin, and Lower Saxony issued warnings to users regarding OpenAI's plans for personalized advertising within ChatGPT, amid the platform's global expansion to over 60 countries.

A Bank of America survey found that 26% of advertisers expect to increase spending on ChatGPT over the next 12 months, surpassing Google Search (19%) and YouTube (11%), reflecting the platform's growing maturity since May's self-serve Ads Manager launch.

Google confirmed on its developer blog that Google Ads API version 22 stops being operational on October 7, 2026, which can disrupt offline conversion uploads, bid scripts, or automated reporting relying on it.

A new sitelink layout has been spotted in Google Search ads, displaying sitelink headlines and their descriptions on the same line , rather than placing descriptions below each headline. As shown in a ChatGPT sponsored result, the sitelinks appear in separate horizontal rows , with the headline on t

Bing has made two small design changes to sponsored ads in search results. The sitelink buttons below the ad text keep the same shape and rounded corners, but they now have a darker gray border instead of the very light gray one, so they stand out more. The second change is the CTA button next to th

Google Merchant Center has introduced the store address [store_address] attribute , which is now required for each product submission for Local inventory ads and Local free listings . This attribute ensures that products are properly associated with a physical store location. Designed to standardize

Microsoft Advertising has introduced significant updates to its API, with new capabilities for tool builders and agencies managing accounts at scale. Conversion value rules can now be managed in bulk via the Bulk API, allowing adjustments to conversion values based on conditions like location, devic

Google is testing two new ad designs in AI Mode , changing how sponsored results appear at the bottom of AI-generated responses. The tests introduce two different layouts. In the first version, ads appear on a white background with a thin grey border , replacing the previous grey background. The sec

Google is testing different ways of displaying website identifiers in ads within AI Mode on mobile . Some ads show the advertiser's website name , while others display the website URL instead. Both formats have also been spotted appearing together within the same AI Mode experience. It's unclear whi

Since October 8, Meta has blocked ByteDance ads and third-party campaigns directing traffic to TikTok in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam amid an escalating feud between the platforms.

Since October 8, Meta has stopped accepting ads from ByteDance and from any advertiser driving traffic to TikTok in seven countries, including the US and Canada, just three days after TikTok opened its global ad network to US buyers.

An ad-fraud detection firm found that ChatGPT ad clicks are far more likely to come from bots compared to Google, raising questions about the reliability of metrics reported by OpenAI.

Search Engine Roundtable reported on October 8, 2026 that four new AI Max-related columns have appeared in Google Ads reporting: Brand inclusions, Locations of interest, Commission and Optimized targeting.

Starting October 2026, Google will update its Editorial policy to allow business names to differ from destination domains under three specific conditions related to recognized branding, a verified domain relationship, and direct product offerings. Search Engine Roundtable noted an advertiser email places the start date at October 16, 2026.

Google is testing a new grey box design for its Shopping ads , replacing the traditional white background. Advertisers have noticed the grey box version does not include the "Shop now" button , which is typically present in the white box design. This alteration could influence user interaction. This

YouTube's ad requirements will soon include an update permitting Masthead advertisements for certified online gambling advertisers. This new policy, effective October 21, 2026, will allow operators compliant with the Gambling and Games policy to use Masthead ads , excluding those not subject to mand

Google Ads has updated its campaign creation interface once again. In March , the AI-guided campaign creation experience was spotted for the first time, with the manual setup option displayed directly below it. Now, the free-text input box takes center stage , while the manual setup option has been

Google has updated its Prediction markets policy in the United States. Starting October 7, 2026 , the advertising of prediction markets contracts and related products in Connecticut is prohibited. This policy update specifically targets ads within the prediction market sector, disallowing them from

Microsoft Bing is testing the removal of favicons from its search result snippets. This change results in a less graphical look for the results page. This update was shared by Khushal Bherwani . The post Bing Tests Removing Favicons From Search Snippets appeared on PPC News Feed .

Microsoft Advertising's Gambling and Games policy has been updated to prohibit online casino and sports betting advertisements in Brazil. This change aligns with the September presidential declaration that restricts such advertising activities. Advertisers targeting Brazil will need to comply with t

TikTok split its Partner Program into Agency Partner and Premier Agency Partner tiers so agencies can better showcase their areas of expertise on the platform.

Meta dropped the requirement that Threads and Instagram usernames match in order to run Threads ads, allowing businesses without an Instagram profile to advertise natively on Threads.

Meta is removing the ability for advertisers to exclude ads from Facebook search results and in-stream Reels placements, giving its AI ad system more flexibility on where to display ads.

A guide updated on October 12 explains that Ads Manager Beta now shows impressions, clicks, spend, CTR, CPC and CPM refreshing every 15 minutes, plus an Ads Manager connector that lets users manage accounts and campaigns directly from ChatGPT.

Between October 9-10, Daniel Toledo and Joey Bidner sparked LinkedIn debate arguing that Google Ads has turned budget into a performance lever, replacing older conversations about quality score.

Google announced the general availability of Structured Data Files v11, expanding targeting options for the Display & Video 360 API.

Search Engine Roundtable spotted four new AI Max-related reporting columns: brand inclusions, locations of interest, commission and optimized targeting.

Google Ads expanded self-serve Conversion Lift incrementality measurement to Search and Performance Max campaigns, requiring at least 1,000 observed conversions and a minimum $5,000 budget.

Starting October 12, 2026, Google Ads will automatically extract promotions and coupons from advertiser websites and attach them to Search and Performance Max campaigns with linked locations, with an account-level opt-out available.

Microsoft Advertising has introduced Messaging guidelines to its text guardrails, expanding control for advertisers over AI-generated ad content. This new feature allows advertisers to specify themes, claims, products, offers, or topics to emphasize or avoid, in addition to existing term exclusions.

Google's Merchant Center has updated its approach to image quality requirements for product listings. Previously, low image quality could prevent products from displaying in ads and free listings. Now, products with poor quality images will continue to show . The new definition of poor quality inclu

Advertisers facing issues with transaction IDs starting with GG_ in Tag Assistant or reports now have official clarification. According to a new section on the help page, these are temporary, system-generated identifiers indicating that your own transaction ID isn't being assigned, potentially affec

OpenAI's help center listed 63 countries with self-serve access to Ads Manager, widening availability beyond the US after the initial rollout to 31 markets in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Beginning October 12, 2026, Google Ads may automatically identify promotions on an advertiser's website and turn them into promotion assets for eligible Search and Performance Max campaigns with location assets and no manual promotions running.

Google Ads now lets advertisers preview the assets generated by Google AI for their AI Max campaigns before opting in, giving more control over automatically generated content.

Google announced the general availability of Structured Data Files (SDF) v11 for Display & Video 360, expanding lookalike audience targeting, adding Business Chain proximity targeting, and updating YouTube vendor columns. Versions earlier than v10 will be deprecated and sunset in January 2027.

Google Ads is introducing a new 'Overlay on videos' asset optimization setting for Demand Gen campaigns, allowing Google to automatically add text messaging to video creatives using existing text assets. The setting appears enabled by default, so advertisers should review their preferences to avoid unwanted overlays.

Google Ads has updated the engagement criteria for video campaigns, now requiring viewers to watch at least 10 seconds of an ad for it to count as an engagement. Previously, a 5-second watch was sufficient. This change affects various ad formats, leading to new rules for how engagements and engageme

Video reach campaigns in Google Ads can now utilize automated bidding as a beta feature. This eliminates the need for a manual Target CPM. Instead, Google automatically sets and adjusts bids to ensure the full budget is spent. Creating video reach campaigns with this feature allows advertisers to le

Effective September 30, 2026 , Google has disallowed the promotion of fixed-quota betting in Brazil. This category is now removed from the list of permitted online gambling types as part of the recent regulatory changes. As a result, existing lottery and horse racing certifications in Brazil have be

Google Ads has introduced a new help page detailing procedures when accounts are paused due to suspicious payment activity . When Google detects irregular or unauthorized payments, affected accounts receive an in-account notification and an email. To resume advertising, users must select "Answer que

The company confirmed that advertising will begin rolling out in ChatGPT in the US in the coming weeks, with ads clearly labeled and separated from organic answers. Users will be able to indicate if they want to see more or fewer ads in the future.

Effective October 7, 2026, Google prohibits advertising of prediction markets contracts and related products in Connecticut, US, as part of an update to its Prediction Markets policy.

In October 2026, Google will update its Business name requirements policy to allow differences between the business name and destination domain in certain limited cases, provided there's a verified relationship between advertiser and domain owner. Resellers and intermediaries do not qualify for this exception.

Four new AI Max-related report columns appeared in Google Ads: Brand inclusions, Locations of interest, Commission and Optimized targeting, reported on October 8, 2026.

Google Ads has introduced a new AI-powered Asset Studio, leveraging Gemini to enhance content creation. This feature allows advertisers to generate text, images, and videos by inputting campaign and brand specifics such as final URLs , objectives, audience demographics, and brand guidelines. The sys

Google Ads has introduced a new feature allowing advertisers to calculate their Target ROAS based on their profit margin. This update aims to provide advertisers with a more precise understanding of where their ROAS stops covering their margin. Advertisers can enter their average profit margin exclu

Google Ads is now showing a new "Overlay on videos" setting in the asset optimization options of Demand Gen video ads . It is marked as "new" and described as "Add key messaging with text assets on videos". It sits in the Video section next to the existing "Shorter videos" and "Resized videos" optio

Google Ads' Gambling and games policy will be updated on 21 October 2026 to permit online lottery advertisements in Colombia. This change allows entities authorized by the Consejo Nacional de Juegos de Suerte y Azar (CNJSA) to advertise legally. The policy specifies that online gambling and promotin

Advertisers now have access to new AI Max-related columns in Google Ads. These columns include Locations of interest , Optimized targeting , and Brand inclusions , providing enhanced visibility into campaign performance. This update helps advertisers better understand how specific settings impact th

TikTok announced AI-driven automation tools including Smart+ campaigns for search ads, Smart+ Creative Selection, a conversational lead system called Agentic Leads, and updates to GMV Max.

Google Ads now lets advertisers preview up to 10 AI-generated headlines and descriptions before enabling AI Max text customization in Search campaigns.

Google Ads is introducing commerce audience sharing, allowing retailers and marketplaces to share first-party audience segments with brands and sellers, though shared audiences are currently limited to commerce media network campaigns.

A new AI-powered panel in the Summary tab of Google Ads experiments provides an overview of experiment goals, key findings and recommended actions for advertisers.

Google Ads is adding new AI Max related columns to its reporting console, including brand inclusions, locations of interest, commission and optimized targeting, as spotted by a PPC expert on LinkedIn.

Google Ads no longer requires a Google representative to set up Conversion Lift measurement, now allowing self-service setup with a minimum of 1,000 observed conversions and a $5,000 budget for Search and PMax campaigns.

Google is gradually rolling out the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) integration hub in Merchant Center for US merchants, letting them choose between cart transfer, native checkout on Google, and identity linking, with Australia and Canada expected next year.

Buying access to a powerful AI agent does not give anyone an edge on its own; its true value depends on how it is used. The real edge comes from the ability to handle a client's business context, a well-thought-out strategy and market instinct earned through years of practice. AI cannot turn a messy

A recent update to the Google Ads Overview page now includes video impressions in conversion paths, helping advertisers understand their impact earlier in the customer journey. This marks a significant addition, as previously only views were considered. Video impressions are marked with an eye icon.

Google Ads now includes an AI-generated summary panel in experiment reporting. This new feature, highlighted in the Monitor Your Experiments help page, provides advertisers with a quick overview of experiment goals and top insights, accompanied by actionable recommendations. This update introduces a

Google Ads has introduced a new feature called commerce audience sharing that allows retailers and marketplaces to share their first-party data segments with advertising partners like brands and sellers. This enhancement is part of Google's retail media strategy. The new help page titled "About comm

Google has introduced text customization asset previews for Search campaigns using AI Max. Advertisers can now view sample AI-generated headlines and descriptions before opting in or launching a campaign. This new feature addresses the concern of not knowing what the AI will generate beforehand. Adv

Google is testing new variations for displaying website reviews within sponsored search results. In one version, the website's review rating appears alongside its name directly within the ad. Another version showcases the total review count and rating beneath the ad's title, along with a "Read user

Your Performance Max campaign shows a great ROAS, so the account must be healthy, right? Not necessarily. A campaign is an average of hundreds or thousands of products, and the average hides the products that burn your budget . In this guide, you'll learn what a product-level Google Ads audit is, wh

Starting October 6, Meta is testing a conversational AI assistant that can create campaigns, generate imagery and text, update targeting and change budgets from chat prompts. Meta claims advertisers adopting the assistant's recommendations see 5% more conversions at the same cost.

Meta's new Commercial and Self-Serve Ad Terms, announced October 8, shift legal liability for AI-generated ad content to advertisers and grant Meta rights to run tests affecting campaign delivery.

TikTok introduced Buy Direct, a one-click checkout feature right in the For You feed, alongside a Shopping Assistant that answers sizing and shipping questions before purchase.

Meta began implementing a complete restriction on ads and paid marketing messages placed on its platforms by ByteDance, with the ban taking effect in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

TikTok opened its Ad Network to US advertisers inside Ads Manager, extending campaigns off-platform to nearly 400,000 apps, plus adding one-click Buy Direct checkout in the feed.

Meta has banned ads from ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, on its platforms in the United States and several other countries amid escalating rivalry.

Google Ads will move from the Active View definition to a 'rendered ad impression' definition for view-through conversion attribution on Display ads within Demand Gen campaigns, counting a view when just one pixel is on-screen for any duration.

Google Ads will begin pulling discount offers from advertiser sites and attaching them automatically to Search and Performance Max campaigns with location assets, enabled by default with an account-level opt-out.

Google is testing a new Direct offer asset in Google Ads. It shows up in the Assets interface with a beta label, next to Promotion, Message, and Lead form. It's the Google Ads side of Direct Offers, which lets advertisers show promotions to high-intent shoppers directly inside AI Mode. The setup scr

Google has updated its help page for setting up Conversion Lift based on users, allowing self-serve access for Search and Performance Max campaigns. Previously, a Google representative was required for these formats. To qualify for Conversion Lift studies, advertisers must meet specific thresholds.

Google Ads has introduced a novel approach to counting view-through conversions (VTC) for Display ads in Demand Gen campaigns. The attribution model shifts from the traditional "Active View" to a new standard termed "rendered ad impression". Under this new method, a view is considered valid when at

Google has updated its guidance on Merchant Center automations for frequently changing product information . The automations feature now states that items with price or availability changes more than once per day may lead to disapproval rather than automatic updates. On September 27, 2026, the help

Google's updated alcohol advertising policy now permits 0% alcohol beverages to be advertised in India , Indonesia , and Egypt , regions where alcohol ads were previously banned. Advertisers must complete certification requirements to advertise these products. The help page has been completely restr

X released a new update to its ranking repository raising the coordinated-spam threshold to 125,000 followers and adding a value-events module that counts purchase, content-view and add-to-cart conversions capped at $100,000 per event.

X introduced X Lift, a feature that automatically converts a business URL into a full AI-generated advertising campaign.

Industry media note that the combination of self-serve Ads Manager, CPC bidding, a conversions API and new measurement partners aims to prove that advertising on ChatGPT can be a reliable channel for marketers.

Among recent updates, OpenAI introduced separate fields for account name, brand name and legal entity name, making account management easier for larger, more established advertisers.

A new video usage segment has been added to Performance Max channel reporting, allowing advertisers to analyze the performance of ads using video.

Starting October 5, agencies advertising visa, passport, and other government document services must have explicit authorization from the relevant government agency to keep running Google Ads.

Google announced that Google Ads will allow online lottery ads targeting Colombia starting October 21, 2026.

Google Ads will update its business name policy to allow some advertisers to use a business name that differs from the ad's destination domain.

Google Ads has a new AI campaign localization tool for Search campaigns in beta, according to a recently spotted help document.

Google Ads will email advertisers that starting October 12, 2026 it will automatically identify and extract high-quality promotions from their websites into eligible Search and Performance Max campaigns with location assets, unless disabled.

The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Programme has officially launched in the Netherlands. This new initiative brings together creators, retailers, and viewers in a seamless ecosystem, enabling product purchases directly from YouTube videos. Dutch creators can now tag products from the local affiliate gia

Google is experimenting with sitelinks in the AI Mode of its ad platform to determine which ad formats drive the highest click-through rates. This discovery was shared by Anthony Higman and Barry Schwartz . The post Sitelinks in AI Mode Being Tested by Google appeared on PPC News Feed .

Google Ads Editor versions 2.10 and earlier will no longer be supported starting October 19, 2026 . This update marks a change from the previous cutoff, which was set for March 2026 and affected versions 2.9 and earlier. Advertisers using these older versions need to upgrade to continue managing the

The Merchant Center UCP integration hub is now gradually rolling out in the United States, offering merchants new capabilities. This update reflects a name change on the help page and a shift in rollout timing, with Australia and Canada following next year. Merchants using this hub can now choose UC

Meta announced that from October 27 to November 3, new political ads without prior impressions cannot run, recommending advertisers complete authorization by October 13.

Amazon Ads announced Amazon Marketing Stream v2, replacing hourly JSON data delivery with Apache Parquet files updated every 15 minutes, alongside Ads Data Manager to unify first-party data within AMC.

At Advertising Week New York, TikTok opened the TikTok Ad Network (TTAN), its nearly 400,000 third-party app network formerly known as Pangle, to US advertisers, alongside launching Buy Direct, an AI shopping assistant and Agentic Leads.

According to TechCrunch, OpenAI plans to bring the new visual ad format to other markets once the U.S. pilot test concludes, though no date has been set yet for that international rollout.

OpenAI confirmed that the visual ad test during image generation is initially intended for ChatGPT users on the Free and Go plans in the United States. The company describes a planned test, not a feature already broadly rolled out.

Alongside the new visual format, OpenAI expanded its measurement partner ecosystem, including click attribution through AppsFlyer, Triple Whale, Adjust, Northbeam, Branch, Singular, Kochava, Airbridge and Tenjin, and full-funnel measurement via Fospha, Measured and INCRMNTAL. It also announced conversion-data integrations with Hightouch, Tealium and LiveRamp.

Meta will implement a restriction period for ads about social issues, elections or politics in the US ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, consistent with its approach in prior election cycles.

OpenAI is working with Haus, Measured and WorkMagic on geo-based experiments to measure the causal impact of ChatGPT Ads, an initiative still at an early stage. The company also shared that WeightWatchers saw a 15.3% lower attributed cost per acquisition compared with its blended paid search benchmark.

Reddit announced enhancements to its Lead Gen Ads, including expanding its AI-powered Max campaigns to lead gen objectives, plus a test of in-market audiences and a new HubSpot integration.

TikTok updated GMV Max to include affiliate commissions, coupons and referral fees in TikTok Shop optimization, aiming to reflect a truer return on investment for sellers.

The feature that generates video from static images is now generally available to all advertisers in Advantage+ Creative, while other AI tools remain in testing.

Meta announced an agentic business assistant in Ads Manager that can create campaigns, adjust targeting and budgets via chat, alongside generative video in Advantage+ and in-conversation checkout.

Integral Ad Science (IAS) announced it will provide independent, third-party brand safety and suitability measurement for ChatGPT Ads, letting participating advertisers receive reporting on the safety and suitability of ad placements within ChatGPT.

According to Search Engine Roundtable's monthly report, Google is testing the insertion of text link ads directly within AI Mode responses, a move that could reshape how conversational search is monetized.

A New York federal judge ruled that publishers including USA Today and Daily Mail, along with a class of roughly 5,000 publishers, can seek more than $3.2 billion in damages over Google's ad-tech market monopolization.

Google notified advertisers that starting October 12, 2026, it will automatically extract high-quality coupons and deals from their websites and apply them as promotion assets to Search and Performance Max campaigns with linked location assets. The feature is opt-out by default and can be disabled in account-level automated asset settings.

Google appears to be testing a change to Local Ads that hides the advertiser’s phone number by default. When a user moves their mouse over the ad, the phone number automatically appears without requiring a click. This update was shared by Barry Schwartz . The post Phone Number Appears on Hover in Lo

Google Ads manager accounts can now create new accounts without the necessity of setting up a campaign immediately. This change is available to accounts that have spent more than $1,000 USD and are compliant with Google Ads policies. The new flow allows managers to enter account details such as name

Google has published an official support page of its AI campaign localization tool , currently in beta, for Search campaigns . This tool enables advertisers to create Search campaigns in different languages by localizing text, image assets, and landing pages. Among the tool's functionalities, it all

Google has updated the Merchant Center help documentation to reflect new expansions in the Loyalty Customer Match program. This enhancement now includes AI Mode, Gemini, and extends availability to additional regions. Key updates outlined in the documentation indicate that Loyalty Customer Match can

Microsoft has announced a change in its API transition strategy. All new API features and enhancements will now be available through both SOAP and REST APIs until January 31, 2027, extending the original deadline for SOAP deprecation. The decision follows customer feedback and aims to provide advert

At Advertising Week New York, TikTok introduced in-app checkout Buy Direct, an AI Shopping Assistant, the Agentic Leads agent, Smart+ for search, and opened its TikTok Ad Network (nearly 400,000 apps) to US advertisers.

Microsoft Advertising opened the nomination period for its partner awards, including a Product Champion Award, and launched a partner sweepstakes offering prizes like Xbox Series X consoles for actions such as linking new client accounts.

At Advertising Week NY, TikTok announced opening the TikTok Ad Network to US advertisers, covering nearly 400,000 third-party apps, alongside a new 'Buy Direct' checkout feature and an AI shopping assistant.

At its annual unBoxed conference, Amazon Ads unified Sponsored Ads and Amazon DSP into a single system with three campaign types, including a new Display, Video & Audio (DVA) format that can be AI-optimized automatically.

At New York Advertising Week, TikTok unveiled the expansion of its global mobile ad network (TikTok Ad Network) to US-based advertisers, reaching almost 400,000 third-party publisher apps, along with a new conversational AI Shopping Assistant.

LinkedIn's October 2026 update introduced a new logo that now covers roughly the top 15 percent of mobile videos, requiring advertisers to adjust caption and text placement in video creatives.

OpenAI highlighted that ChatGPT reached 1.2 billion weekly users as it unveiled its new visual ad format, underscoring the advertising platform's potential reach.

As part of the October 5 announcement, OpenAI revealed brand suitability pilots with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science to give advertisers more control over where their ChatGPT ads appear.

Alongside the new visual format, OpenAI announced expanded measurement tools including attribution partner integrations such as AppsFlyer, Triple Whale, Adjust, DV Rockerbox, Northbeam, Branch, and Singular, plus geo-lift and brand-lift testing.

IAS confirmed it is one of the first media quality partners supporting ChatGPT Ads, providing independent brand safety and suitability reporting. The service is currently running with a select group of advertisers, with no confirmed date for wider availability.

LinkedIn is testing a feature letting verified members confirm the work and education experience of their connections, awarding a verification badge after enough confirmations; LinkedIn says verified members get roughly 50% more post views.

At Advertising Week New York, TikTok unveiled Buy Direct for one-click checkout, an AI-powered Shopping Assistant, and opened TikTok Ad Network (TTAN) to US advertisers for the first time, extending reach to nearly 400,000 third-party apps.

Trade outlets note that OpenAI did not explain how the visual ads will be generated or targeted, raising questions among advertising executives about how the new format will actually work. It also remains unclear whether ad imagery will come from a creative library or be generated dynamically.

At Advertising Week New York 2026, TikTok revealed new AI tools including the 'Buy Direct' checkout, a lead-generation agent, and access to TikTok Ads Network (TTAN) for US advertisers, with no confirmed launch dates yet.

According to OpenAI, visual ads will initially appear alongside user-generated images, will be clearly labeled, will remain separate from the created image, and will not influence the model's answers.

TikTok announced Buy Direct (one-click checkout from the feed), Shopping Assistant, Agentic Leads and the opening of TikTok Ad Network to US advertisers, alongside an MCP connector and Smart+/GMV Max updates.

Search Engine Land reported that OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT Ads with a new visual format, more third-party measurement integrations and new brand suitability tools, reinforcing its push to become a full-fledged ad platform.

OpenAI updated its advanced conversion optimization system so it now also learns from eligible view-through conversions, in addition to click-through ones, a metric that in August was reporting-only. The change is part of the measurement update package announced on October 5.

OpenAI started controlled pilots with DoubleVerify (DV) and Integral Ad Science (IAS) to independently evaluate whether ChatGPT ads appear in suitable contexts for advertisers, without granting access to private user conversations. DV also launched attribution measurement to connect ChatGPT Ads to the full customer journey.

OpenAI announced that ChatGPT Ads now works with 20 third-party measurement partners, including AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Singular, Triple Whale and DV Rockerbox, for attribution, incrementality and conversion data connections. Brand-lift tools with Kantar and Cint were also added.

As part of the update, OpenAI enabled a 'Negative Phrases' feature for qualifying advertisers, allowing for narrower and more granular ad placement requirements within ChatGPT Ads.

OpenAI highlighted that ChatGPT reached 1.2 billion weekly users and shared early performance data, including a WeightWatchers case with a cost per acquisition 15.3% lower than its blended paid-search benchmark, according to DV Rockerbox data.

OpenAI announced new data integrations with Hightouch, Tealium and LiveRamp, allowing advertisers to send conversion data from existing systems directly to ChatGPT Ads. It also partnered with Haus, Measured and WorkMagic for geo-based ad experiments.

OpenAI is developing brand suitability evaluation pilots with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science to assess how its brand safety standards are applied in ChatGPT, without accessing private user conversations. The company's advertising policies updated September 10, 2026 exclude sensitive contexts such as mental health, politics, and regulated goods.

Alongside the new visual format, OpenAI expanded its measurement partner ecosystem, adding click attribution solutions such as AppsFlyer, Triple Whale, Adjust, DV Rockerbox, Northbeam, Branch, Singular, Kochava, Airbridge and Tenjin, plus full-funnel measurement partners Fospha, Measured and INCRMNTAL.

OpenAI announced on October 5, 2026 a new visual ad format that will appear alongside image generation results in ChatGPT, clearly labeled and without influencing the chatbot's answers. Testing begins this month in the U.S. only with an initial group of advertisers.

Google Ads appears to be testing a more aggressive budget recommendation feature that ties budget changes to forecasted conversion value, which PPC specialist Thomas Eccel called intrusive on LinkedIn.

Bing is currently testing a new ad design within its shopping search results. The test showcases a redesigned layout, using blue background, for sponsored ads, potentially altering the placement and presentation of ads in SERPs. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Bing Tests New Ad Des

Google has removed the reference to 50 conversions required from its documentation on learning periods for bid strategies. The updated help page now only states that the calibration typically takes 1-2 conversion cycles , without mentioning a specific conversion count. Previously, it suggested that

LinkedIn announced on September 15 that private feedback on generic AI content will appear in post analytics once enough reports are received.

TikTok is giving advertisers expanded capacity to use artificial intelligence to generate video ads with the help of ByteDance's latest AI model, Dreamina Seedance 2.5.

Google rolled out two new features to help multi-location businesses reach nearby customers: Local Customer Optimization in Performance Max and Store Sales in Data Manager.

Google announced that AI Max for Search will get a single report showing, for each search term, the assets shown and the landing page reached, though availability is planned for later in 2026.

Google updated its location asset requirements documentation to improve terminology and add troubleshooting steps, without changing policy enforcement.

Starting September 2026, manual language targeting settings are being removed in Google Ads, with AI automatically selecting the most relevant ad language without requiring account restructuring.

Google will update its Other Restricted Businesses: Government Documents and Services policy on October 5, 2026, requiring advertiser domains to be linked from and explicitly authorized by an official government website.

In October 2026, Google will update its Complex Speculative Financial Products policy for Chile and Denmark, requiring authorization from the CMF or Central Bank in Chile, and Finanstilsynet in Denmark.

Google is testing a new feature in sponsored search results, incorporating two distinct dotted menus. One appears by the URL and another by the ad headline. When clicked, these lines either direct the user to the landing page or display a ' Why this ad ' pop-up offering additional information about

Microsoft Advertising now includes a "consumer review" extension in Bing's sponsored results section. These are one-line snippets from sources like Trustpilot, visible under sponsored ads. This resembles Google's third-party endorsement ads. This update was spotted by Khushal Bherwani and Barry Schw

Google has updated the Destination not working article to provide additional examples for advertisers experiencing destination issues. This change enhances the guidance available without altering enforcement of the existing policy. Barry Schwartz noticed a new line instructs advertisers to configure

Google will update its Business name requirements policy in October 2026, allowing differences between a business name and destination domain in select cases. This policy change applies if the business name accurately represents the recognized brand of the advertiser, there is a verified direct rela

Snapchat reached the milestone of 2 trillion Snaps sent while unveiling new ad formats to attract advertisers despite its modest ad revenue share.

Microsoft Advertising set October 1, 2026 as the date when all new features become REST-only, with full SOAP deprecation scheduled for January 2027.

Microsoft Advertising stopped letting advertisers add a Max CPC cap to new non-portfolio campaigns starting October 1, 2026, first affecting the web interface and Editor.

Google Ads has started hiding the phone number by default on Local Service Ads, a change spotted in local search results.

A possible bug or test has been spotted in Google Ads where sponsored product results are not displaying the images normally shown above listings.

Google updated its Merchant Center documentation to state that Loyalty Customer Match now works with AI Mode and Gemini, and expanded the program to India, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea and Spain, reaching 14 countries total.

Bing is currently testing a new "Minority-owned" label in its sponsored search results. This label aims to highlight minority-owned businesses, adding a unique identifier to their listings. This test appears in search results to raise awareness of these businesses and is part of Bing's broader initi

Google is testing a new layout for sponsored products in search results, making them appear like the organic product grid. This update was shared by Brodie Clark and Barry Schwartz . The post Google Tests New Product Grid Layout in Shopping Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .

Microsoft Advertising has updated the Pricing policy for automotive dealer advertisements in the United States . The new guidelines are aimed at facilitating compliance and ensuring accurate representation of product pricing in ad content. Advertisers are required to conform to these updated standar

Amazon Ads added pre-built brand penetration indices to Geographic Insights and Activation (GIA), letting advertisers in nine countries visualize where their brand over- or under-indexes versus its category and activate geographic optimization without building an AMC model.

Microsoft Advertising announced optimization experiments are now generally available for Search, Shopping, Audience and Performance Max campaigns, with a unified side-by-side results page.

Google released v25.2 of the Google Ads API on September 23, 2026, adding competitive benchmarking, expanded Performance Max controls, and developer-focused reporting features.

Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed that exact match and phrase match keywords in standard Search campaigns are now eligible to serve text ads in Google AI Mode for direct-intent queries.

Google is testing making the sponsored products search results block or grid look more like the organic products/shopping grid.

Bing is testing a new feature in its sponsored results by adding a slight blurred horizontal line . This change aims to subtly differentiate ads from organic results on the search page. Here's another example with an ad showing in search results promoting an app. It indicates Bing's ongoing efforts

Microsoft Advertising has updated its Gambling and Games policy concerning gambling ads in Croatia . This change affects how advertisers can promote gambling and gaming activities within the country, ensuring compliance with the updated guidelines. Read the official announcement spotted by Hana Kobz

X launched its Cashtag Partner Program, letting US users tap any stock or crypto cashtag, view a live price chart alongside related posts, and trade through partner brokerages like Interactive Brokers, Kraken and Coinbase.

Pinterest unveiled Visual Search Ads, a new format placing sponsored products in search results and Pin closeups, aimed at lower-funnel campaigns and compatible with Performance+.

TikTok updated its gambling and games advertising policies in Brazil to prohibit all forms of online gambling ads, including online casinos and sports betting, as well as related information services.

OpenAI's measurement-partner help article updated its list to include INCRMNTAL, Northbeam and Rockerbox alongside Fospha, Hightouch, LiveRamp, Triple Whale and WorkMagic as supported measurement partners for ChatGPT Ads.

An academic analysis notes that although OpenAI promises to separate ads from answers and not sell user conversations, the current safeguards are vague and could be reinterpreted over time as advertising becomes central to the business.

Amazon renamed its unified ad platform Ads Agent, combining Sponsored Ads and Amazon DSP into one place manageable via natural language, while introducing new Full-Funnel Campaigns and DVA+ combining display, video and audio.

On August 31, the FTC and attorneys general from 22 states sued Amazon, alleging that for more than seven years it used an 'invented bidder' to inflate prices paid by over a million brands and sellers across Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display.

Meta has started notifying advertisers it will remove placement, platform, device, and operating system exclusions from the ad set level, replacing them with value rules that currently cover only about seven eligible placements.

PPC experts highlight a Black Friday/Cyber Monday strategy study for Google Ads based on over 4,000 accounts, alongside growing focus on product feed optimization following Google's Rethink event.

Advertisers are getting more data and control across competitive benchmarking, PMax, Search bidding and creator insights with the new Google Ads API version.

Google Ads has enhanced its Recommended Investment Strategy by introducing Holistic and Growth modes, allowing advertisers to strategically allocate budgets across campaigns with interactive forecasts.

Google continues testing sitelink design variations, including a line-by-line mobile layout with a horizontal divider, plus tests showing advertiser name and favicon on sponsored results.

Google's AI Mode is now displaying extended summaries specifically above brand ads . Previously seen below ads for ecommerce queries, these longer summaries now appear to be exclusively for brand ads. This enhancement aims to provide users with richer context before ad engagement. This update was sh

Google is testing a new design for sitelinks, aiming to enhance their appearance in search results. Sitelinks , which provide additional navigation links under search ads, are receiving attention to improve user engagement and visibility. The current test involves variations in both design and layou

Bing is testing a new variation of expandable sitelinks within its search results. This version reveals descriptions under the sitelinks when users hover over them. The test appears to enhance user interaction by providing more contextual information for each sitenk. This update was shared by Sachin

Google Ads has added new abilities to Promotion Mode . This feature leverages Smart Bidding Exploration to help advertisers enhance their reach during promotional periods. Advertisers can now set specific start and end dates for promotions, adjust the Target ROAS tolerance, and assign an optional ex

OpenAI emailed advertisers announcing bulk creation of product feed campaigns from a spreadsheet, a new product review status, and richer conversion data through the Insights API.

Amazon announced Sponsored Services to connect shoppers with local service providers (with Yelp as the anchor partner) and generative AI creative tools built directly into the Amazon Ads Agent conversational experience.

OpenAI is testing 'Sponsored Agents', a feature letting users start conversations with company agents directly from ads, alongside new AI-assisted ad creation tools in Ads Manager and integrations with HubSpot and Shopify.

Optimization experiments now cover Search, Shopping, Audience and Performance Max campaigns, with a unified side-by-side results page to compare against the original setup and apply winning changes. LinkedIn company lists were also expanded from 1,000 to 10,000 names.

Meta now lets brands amplify a creator's live Instagram broadcast as a paid advertisement, extending a feature that already exists on Facebook to Instagram for the first time.

Reddit announced general availability of its Max campaigns, which automate targeting, creative selection and rotation, placements, and budget allocation, after testing them with a limited group of advertisers since January 2026.

Search Engine Roundtable reported that Google changed which phone number is used for call tracking in Local Service Ads, showing the Google Business Profile number even when the Google Ads number is set. The issue was spotted on September 25, 2026.

Google released a unified report showing the full search journey for AI Max campaigns, from query to conversion. AI Brief is now also available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Starting October 2026, Google will allow ads for accessories like bipods, sights, slings, mounts and braces for six months, limited to U.S. Search only. Firearms, ammunition and regulated parts remain strictly prohibited everywhere else.

Google has introduced Gemini Omni , an advanced feature within the Asset Studio in Google Ads designed to streamline and enhance video ad creation. Gemini Omni leverages AI to transform images into full video ads for multiple channels using robust reference inputs like URLs, marketing briefs, and pr

Advertisers in Google Ads can now test AI Max against Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs) through either custom experiments or a preset AI Max template . Custom experiments enable the upgrade of a test campaign to AI Max, maintaining the original campaign as a control. Successful variants can be applied back

Google has released v25.2 of the Google Ads API , bringing new features that enhance competitive analysis and campaign management. Advertisers must upgrade their client libraries and code to utilize these capabilities. Among the key features added in this update are: Competitive benchmarks percentil

In October 2026, Google will update its policies regarding complex speculative financial products for Chile and Denmark. The updates specify that ads targeting these countries must be compliant with local regulations. Providers of these financial products in Chile must be registered with the Financi

Full-Funnel Campaigns combines sponsored ads, display, video and streaming TV into a single AI-managed campaign, and is now available to all US advertisers selling on Amazon.

The FTC and 22 state attorneys general are suing Amazon, alleging it secretly overcharged advertisers in its search ad auctions for more than seven years, rising from 30-40% of auctions in 2021 to about 80% by 2024.

Amazon and OpenAI launched a managed-service pilot placing Amazon DSP ads inside ChatGPT responses, with product feed ads auto-generated from Amazon catalogs, US-only at launch.

Amazon Ads introduced a new tier of tools on its Ads MCP Server allowing third-party AI agents to access specialized capabilities; the first, the AMC SQL Generator, translates natural-language requests into validated Amazon Marketing Cloud SQL queries and is now in closed beta in the US.

Amazon Ads unveiled its new "Amazon Ads Agent" platform at unBoxed 2026, replacing the former Ads Console and Amazon DSP with three campaign types: Sponsored Ads, Display, Video and Audio+ (DVA+), and Full-Funnel Campaigns, all powered by AI with a natural-language chat experience.

An industry analysis confirms that, as of September 2026, self-serve access to ChatGPT Ads Manager is available in 63 countries, including all EU member states, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, the US, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, and the UAE.

OpenAI announced new AI-powered advertising tools, including Sponsored Agents that let users converse with a business after clicking an ad, plus AI-generated creative assistance and HubSpot and Shopify integrations.

For the first time, advertisers can see the overall health status of their campaigns directly in TikTok Ads Manager, labeled Good, Fair, or Poor, with clear guidance to improve and qualify for available coupons and incentives.

On September 10, Google announced changes across its measurement tools, including wider Data Manager integrations, a new Data Strength Uplift metric, and general availability of GeoX in Meridian.

On September 24, Google Ads announced new seamless experiences and integrations for Demand Gen campaigns on YouTube, aiming to turn discovery into action.

Google is now auto-enabling native checkout for products in Google Merchant Center that support the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) . This change, announced via email to users, includes compatibility with AI Mode and Gemini. Advertisers using platforms like Shopify can see their products eligible

Google's latest Demand Gen updates for September introduce features aimed at enhancing engagement on YouTube and Gmail. Business Agent for YouTube Ads now lets viewers interact with conversational AI to ask questions about products during video ads. Consumers on YouTube Shorts and Gmail can experien

Google Ads users have discovered that while promotion mode is active, editing the Target ROAS is restricted. When promotion mode is on, a blue information banner appears, indicating that the Target ROAS cannot be changed. A confirmation message confirms the use of the Target ROAS bid strategy in its

Google Ads is now displaying a new "Budget Change Alert + Forecast" feature within campaign budget settings. This feature alerts advertisers to potential conversion value decreases when reducing their daily budget for campaigns, highlighting them as "limited by budget." The alert includes a forecast

TikTok evolved its Agency Badging Program with a new two-tier model to highlight best-in-class agency performance.

Google Ads is testing sitelinks that display the advertiser's name and favicon to give more visual context to paid search results.

Google introduced Business Agent for YouTube Ads, letting viewers engage with conversational AI alongside video ads, plus one-click experiences on Shorts and Gmail that boost image creative conversions by 40%.

In October 2026, Google will start a six-month pilot in the United States allowing ads for certain gun accessories . This includes items like bipods, sights, slings, mounts, and braces under Google's dangerous products or services policy. The pilot adheres to existing restrictions, continuing the pr

Starting January 12, 2027, Microsoft Advertising will remove access to the MaxCpc field in the API for new campaigns and existing campaigns that do not currently use it. Advertisers relying on scripts, bulk uploads, or bid management tools using MaxCpc should review their setups ahead of the deadlin

Google is expanding its AI Max features with new language support and a reporting feature. AI Brief , previously in closed beta, is now available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Additionally, a new reporting feature in Google Ads provides a comprehensive view of

Google's Local Services Ads (LSA) have added the Request Multiple Opinions feature. Users can now send the same message to up to six lawyers instead of the previous limit of four. This update enhances the ability for users to procure multiple legal opinions swiftly. Read the full post shared by Anth

Google's Legal Requirements Policy now includes additional self-regulatory codes for advertisers targeting regions in Argentina , Australia , Chile , Colombia , Paraguay , and South Africa . Advertisers must comply with these regional codes as well as conduct their own research into local laws to en

TikTok updated its advertising policy for alcohol-related establishments to require approval and certification from local regulating authorities, and explicitly prohibited certain surgeries, including weight loss and aesthetic genital surgeries, in ads.

Google announced YouTube's September Demand Gen Drop, introducing new seamless experiences and integrations designed to turn discovery into action within Demand Gen campaigns.

The Customer Match upload format has been updated to include new 'User IP address' and 'User Interaction timestamp' columns alongside existing identifiers such as email, phone, address and device ID.

Advertisers can now include a user's IP address alongside the timestamp of their interaction when uploading Customer Match data, though these fields must be uploaded unhashed and are excluded for EEA, UK and Swiss users.

Microsoft has removed the limited release restriction for Excluded content terms within its Microsoft Advertising platform. Advertisers can now block ads from appearing alongside unwanted page titles by specifying up to 1,000 terms at account or campaign level. Campaign-level terms apply across all

Microsoft's LinkedIn-profile targeting features have completed their rollout. The beta note indicating that not everyone had access to these features has been removed. This update enables B2B advertisers to utilize the Audience planner for sizing a company-list or seniority audience before launching

The Demand Gen FAQ has been updated to reflect a significant change in billing for Google Display Ads. Previously, Google Display Network (GDN) image inventory was billed on a CPC basis, but it has now shifted to a CPM model. This adjustment coincides with the removal of the separate Google Video Pl

Microsoft Advertising has updated its bid strategies to allow setting a maximum CPC for portfolio strategies. The prior restriction to campaign-level only configurations has been lifted, and the eligible strategies list has been removed. Previously, maximum CPC was limited to campaigns using Enhance

Meta and YouTube confirmed they will accept advertising for director Alex Gibney's upcoming Elon Musk documentary, following earlier reports that several social platforms had rejected the ads.

Google Ads' new Automated Promotions feature will not run on campaigns already using manual promotion assets, and detected promotions are re-verified within 24 hours; advertisers can opt out through account-level automated asset settings.

Google Ads rolled out Automated Promotions, an account-level automated asset that detects active offers on advertiser landing pages, such as 'buy one get one free,' and automatically attaches them to eligible Search and Performance Max campaigns.

AdExchanger's September 25 news roundup confirmed that Google Ads introduced two new modes to its Recommended Investment Strategy setting: Holistic mode, which shifts budget from underperforming campaigns to stronger ones, and Growth mode, which only adds budget.

The new Holistic and Growth modes in the Recommended Investment Strategy let ecommerce advertisers running Performance Max or Smart Bidding campaigns make more precise decisions on scaling spend ahead of the Q4 shopping season. The feature lives under the Recommendations tab in the Campaigns menu.

On September 24, 2026, Google Ads updated its Recommended Investment Strategy tool with a Holistic mode that reallocates budget from underperforming campaigns to top performers, and a Growth mode that only adds budget without cutting spend elsewhere. The update also includes interactive 7-day performance forecasts and suggested Target CPA or ROAS adjustments.

Google is testing a new AI Mode that presents sponsored ads and organic product listings together in one interface. Advertisers may notice a combination of both paid and unpaid product placements. This update integrates paid promotions alongside regular product offerings, potentially affecting the l

Bing is testing the inclusion of favicons in Shopping ad results. This change, if rolled out widely, would mark an aesthetic update to the shopping ad interface, providing users with an additional visual cue about the retailer behind each ad. Incorporating favicons could potentially enhance brand re

Google is testing the use of URL breadcrumbs for sitelinks displayed in sponsored search ads. The inclusion of URL breadcrumbs aims to give users a better understanding of where they will be landed when they click on these sitelinks, enhancing navigation transparency. This update was shared by Sachi

Google Merchant Center has introduced new attributes for CSS product pages , allowing CSS partners to submit product ratings and review counts. These updates include the Rating [rating] , Minimum rating [minRating] , Maximum rating [maxRating] , and Review count [reviewCount] attributes. All ratings

According to a report, on September 16, a week before the expansion, OpenAI introduced so-called Sponsored Agents along with new Ads Manager features, broadening the ad platform's capabilities.

TikTok introduced a new Agentic Hub that automates reporting, audience management, and budget optimization via AI, alongside a Pulse Mentions feature, though rollout timing to all markets remains unclear.

Starting August 10, Amazon Sponsored Products campaigns began serving inside Amazon Influencer Program creator content with no advertiser action required, sparking controversy over the lack of clear notice about the expansion.

Google Ads Editor version 2.13 reached general availability, alongside an update to Google's conversion measurement documentation covering timing and data sources.

A new setting called 'Use targeting expansion view (AI Max)' has been added, allowing users to access more accurate reporting on AI Max landing page matches.

A recent PPC Pulse analysis covers visibility and control updates in Performance Max, including the ability to exclude first-party customer lists, plus the integration of generative video tool Veo into Google Ads.

Google will host a live session on September 24 via Discord and YouTube to discuss the new features included in Google Ads API v25.2.

Google Search is testing a title placed above sitelinks in sponsored results, displaying a 'more from [advertiser name]' message.

Google has renamed several fields in the Google Ads Query Language (GAQL), causing report queries using old field names to be rejected or silently fail to import data.

Starting in October 2026, Google Ads will run a six-month limited pilot in the United States allowing ads for certain firearm accessories such as bipods, sights, slings and mounts, while firearms and ammunition remain banned.

Google Ads Customer Match has introduced two new keys for matching customer data: IP Address and Timestamp . Advertisers can now use the IP address captured during user interaction along with a timestamp to improve customer match rates. This data must be uploaded unhashed. Importantly, IP and timest

Microsoft Advertising has expanded Optimization experiments to include Shopping , Audience , and Performance Max campaigns, previously limited to Search campaigns only. This update simplifies the process for advertisers to test and evaluate campaign adjustments. Advertisers can now plan experiments

Microsoft Advertising's recent API update introduces several enhancements, particularly for tool builders and script users. Among the changes, a new Search Term Landing Page Report has been added, providing deeper insights into ad performance. Additionally, the update allows for campaign-level devic

Starting October 1, 2026, Google's Gambling and Games policy for Slovenia will be updated. The new policy allows licensed operators to advertise sports betting, online casino games, and online gambling, provided they have a valid concession from the Government of Slovenia and registration with the M

OpenAI introduced new controls in the Admin Console allowing global admins of ChatGPT Enterprise, EDU, and Business organizations to manage whether connected applications can access ChatGPT Ads. Both new permissions are off by default during the admin preview.

OpenAI noted that advertisers can access ChatGPT Ads in the new markets through its Ads Solutions team and agency partners including dentsu, Havas Media, Omnicom Media, Publicis Groupe and WPP.

OpenAI told MARKETECH APAC that the decision to expand to Southeast Asia and Taiwan stemmed from strong advertiser interest in the region, including its waitlist, and lessons learned from previous market launches.

Ahead of the Southeast Asia expansion, it was reported that adtech company Equativ became a technology partner for ChatGPT Ads, including campaign support in Japan.

With the new expansion, OpenAI began rolling out ChatGPT Ads in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, and opened self-service buying to businesses in all seven markets from day one, unlike the earlier India launch.

Google confirmed that starting September 1, 2026, Content API for Shopping requests will begin experiencing progressive errors, pushing merchants toward full migration to Merchant API. Those needing more time can apply for extended access to the Content API.

Google updated its documentation to allow merchants to automate product review uploads and management through the Merchant API, removing a manual step from the process. The company also shifted terminology from feed submission to data source submission.

Google Ads is giving select advertisers an AI tool that can translate and dub existing video creative across 33 languages and locales inside Asset Studio, without new filming. The feature remains limited access as Google localization moves directly into the ad platform.

Google Ads has enhanced its Recommended Investment Strategy by introducing Holistic and Growth modes. This update allows advertisers to strategically allocate budgets across campaigns to optimize performance. The Holistic mode reallocates existing budgets from underperforming campaigns to top perfor

Microsoft Advertising has introduced a new Search/Shopping filter on the Competition tab . This enhancement enables advertisers to view competitive performance metrics specifically for search ads and shopping ads at both the account level and within Performance Max campaigns. This is significant as

Earlier this month , Google Ads has introduced a new feature called Automated Promotions within account-level automated assets. Now, users are spotting this feature live in their Google Ads accounts. This capability streamlines the process of displaying relevant offers across campaigns, which could

Newly created Demand Gen campaigns in Google Ads will now have view-through conversion (VTC) optimization enabled by default. Previously, VTC optimization was disabled by default and limited to YouTube and Discover Feed . Now, it supports Display inventory as well. This update means advertisers laun

Meta introduced its official Ads CLI, a tool that enables system user token setup and campaign management commands, compatible with AI assistants like Claude Code or Codex.

Amazon Ads launched location-based interactive video ads and 'Next Up' ads that appear between episodes on Prime Video, expanding its streaming advertising offering in Australia.

OpenAI released the ChatGPT Ads app for Shopify, letting merchants connect their store to Ads Manager, automatically sync their product catalog, and set up the OpenAI Pixel.

Meta no longer requires matching Instagram and Threads usernames to run Threads ads, letting brands with no Instagram profile advertise directly on the platform.

Meta launched a new Creative Diversity rating inside Ads Manager that scores the creative variety of advertisers' campaigns.

OpenAI announced the expansion of ChatGPT Ads to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, surpassing 60 countries with platform availability. Eligible businesses can access the self-serve Ads Manager from day one.

The VAB emphasizes that Google's own data shows how much junk video ad inventory exists, criticizing the company's lack of transparency on the issue.

Google has announced several new features ahead of Q4, including a YouTube Ads AI agent, videos added to product feeds, and a simplified UCP integration.

The Ask Advisor feature in Google Ads has been updated to perform a variety of new actions beyond just providing answers. Advertisers can now use it to pause and rename campaigns , adjust daily budgets and target locations , as well as appeal ads that were disapproved and update final URLs . New enh

Google's help page for bid strategy learning periods has been updated. The learning period now states that calibration can take up to around 50 conversion events or 3 conversion cycles , replacing the previous duration of up to 3 weeks or 1–2 cycles . This volume-based benchmark is crucial for low-v

Google has updated the AI Max search terms report view to "Search terms and ad combinations" , previously known as "Search terms and landing pages from AI Max." This change appears on the Google Ads help page and affects how advertisers refer to the AI Max features in training and documentation. Thi

Microsoft has updated its US social casino advertising rules , reducing complexity by limiting exclusions to just three US states: Idaho, Nevada, and Washington . Advertisers must also be the first-party gaming platform, barring aggregators and affiliates. In Germany, social casino landing pages are

A new AI Max UI update has been spotted in Google Ads, providing clearer control options for branded searches. Advertisers can now choose between showing ads on all relevant searches, controlling branded searches using brand inclusions and exclusions, or displaying ads only on unbranded searches. Th

OpenAI introduced to select clients a new AI-native ad format that, when the call-to-action button is clicked, opens a branded chat with the brand's AI agent instead of sending users to an external website.

Since September 2026, Google has been automatically migrating Search campaigns using Automatically Created Assets (now Text Customization) and campaign-level Broad Match into AI Max, expecting to complete the upgrades by month's end.

Starting October 30, 2026, Google will allow personalized alcohol ads on YouTube inventory where locally permitted, though Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Poland are not yet included.

Google has updated the AI Max search terms report view to "Search terms and ad combinations," previously known as "Search terms and landing pages from AI Max." This change appears on the Google Ads help page and affects how advertisers refer to the AI Max features in training and documentation.

Microsoft Advertising is testing Copilot Audience Generation, a new feature available in closed beta for Audience campaigns in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. Advertisers can use natural language to describe their ideal customer, and Copilot will generate a custom AI-driven audience along with it.

Merchants in Austria and Germany will no longer need to provide an impressum URL for local inventory ads and free local listings. An impressum is now only mandatory for in-store product and price availability hosted on Google. Switzerland still requires it for all local ads. This change was detected recently.

In the multi-source conversions beta, Google is now documenting that additional data sources can fill in missing user information like email, phone, and address in conversion events. This update, found on the help page, reveals that offline uploads supplement missing user-provided data, optimizing conversion tracking.

At its 2026 Upfront, Amazon Ads highlighted its authenticated audience graph covering 90% of U.S. households and being named the only leader in omnichannel advertising by Forrester, alongside growth in Prime Video viewership.

PPC specialist Anthony Higman posted on LinkedIn that regular Search campaigns with restrictive match types are appearing in AI Mode, later confirmed by Google's Ginny Marvin as a small experiment.

Google emailed advertisers confirming that starting September 1, 2026, campaigns using automatically created assets or campaign-level broad match will be automatically upgraded to AI Max for Search.

Google has rolled out several updates to enhance holiday shopping through agentic commerce. These updates are designed to help retailers capture the attention of holiday shoppers using advanced AI tools. Among the key updates, AI performance insights in Merchant Center are now generally available.

Google is testing new ways to display sponsored results in AI Mode. Ads have been spotted using text anchor based links that blend more closely with organic content, while another variation adds descriptions that give users more context about the advertiser before clicking. This update was shared.

Google is testing a new sitelink headline showing the advertiser's icon with a "More from Advertiser" title, potentially affecting ad engagement and visibility. This update was shared by Sachin Patel. The post "More From Advertiser Title Tested for Sitelinks" appeared on PPC News Feed.

Bing is testing a "Top Pick" label on its sponsored result product carousels, highlighting a potential new way for products to stand out in search results. The "Top Pick" label is prominently displayed in the product carousel, potentially drawing more eyes to specific listings. This update was shared.

TikTok unveiled expanded measurement and ad integrity solutions along with new advertiser controls, aiming to build a more transparent, measurable, and trusted advertising ecosystem.

Google announced several new features ahead of Q4, including a YouTube Ads agent, videos embedded in product feeds, and a simplified Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) integration.

Google is expanding AI performance measurement in Merchant Center, bringing its Business Agent to YouTube ads, and adding new capabilities to its Universal Commerce Protocol integration. Tapestry, owner of Coach and Kate Spade, already used UCP-powered checkout to sell across Google Search, AI Mode, and the Gemini app.

A new report in the Google Ads account Overview compares an advertiser's weekly spending and clicks with those of its peer group based on industry and location. Experts warn these benchmarks should be treated as context, not a spending target.

Google is testing a new design for the Sponsored Places section in search results, displaying businesses as vertical cards that offer expanded visibility for local businesses when users hover over the listings. Back in February, the same section was being tested with horizontal cards instead.

Bing is testing a new human verification step that requires users to complete a CAPTCHA before they can access search results. The measure is designed to confirm that users interacting with the search engine are actually human. The test shows a prompt reading "One last step" along with instructions.

Google's AI Mode is now showing ad descriptions at the bottom of the page. Previously, users in this mode only saw ads with sitelinks. The new feature likely improves the user experience by giving extra context before clicking, letting potential customers read more about the site.

Bing is testing new product shopping filters in the left sidebar of its search results, making the results page look more like Google's, particularly for product and shopping-related queries. This update was shared by Sachin Patel and Barry Schwartz.

Starting September 29, Meta made live video ads generally available on Instagram, allowing brands to sponsor creator livestreams as partnership ads.

According to an update of OpenAI's Ads Manager availability table, ChatGPT Ads now operates in 52 countries, with ads matched to users based on conversation topic, chat history, and past ad interactions.

Google is testing making exact and phrase match keywords from standard Search campaigns eligible to serve within AI Mode as well, extending traditional campaign reach into this new AI-powered search surface.

Google is testing a text-based link format for ads shown within AI Mode, its AI-powered search experience. The test adds to other recent changes in how ads appear across Google's AI surfaces.

In this week's #PPCChat session hosted by Julie F Bacchini, PPC specialists shared experiences of rising costs and shifting performance following Google Ads' bidding update, describing the issue as widespread.

Google Ads is now offering a new Spend Benchmarks report that lets advertisers compare their account data against similar businesses. It provides insights based on industry and advertising region, and is visible in the account Overview section. The report includes metrics such as weekly spend.

Bing is testing the display of view counts for products in its Shopping tab results. The test aims to give users additional insights when searching for products and help them identify popular options. The update was spotted by Sachin Patel.

Google has updated its store ratings overview for merchants, outlining specific eligibility requirements, including around 100 eligible reviews. Advertisers must maintain a rating of at least 3.5 out of 5 stars for ratings to appear on paid text and Shopping ads.

Google appears to be testing an AI label on ads shown within YouTube Shorts. The label appears as a small AI icon next to the sponsored ad info, giving viewers an extra signal that AI may have been used in the ad. Spotted by Arpan Banerjee.

Google Ads is rolling out a redesigned Details view for individual conversion actions. The information largely stays the same but is now presented in a cleaner, more visually structured layout. The top section highlights the conversion action's status, last recorded conversion, and more.

OpenAI confirmed that its HubSpot (first CRM partner) and Shopify (first commerce partner) integrations are live for US businesses and will expand to markets where ChatGPT Ads is available starting September 23.

A platform update roundup notes that the biggest recent ChatGPT Ads changes are new Shopify and HubSpot integrations, alongside the testing of Sponsored Agents that let users chat directly with a brand's own agent.

OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar described the text/image answer-based ad units (launched September 10 via Amazon DSP and Adform) as a "basic starting point" compared to the new Sponsored Agents.

Google is testing a beta feature for product-level conversion value adjustment in Google Ads, though this may inflate reported sales value.

Google has posted that the bidding update rewriting Target CPA and Target ROAS strategies, which started on August 17, 2026, was completed globally on August 27, 2026.

Google has introduced a new guide for lead generation advertisers aimed at preventing invalid leads. This help page explains how Google's invalid traffic filters aren't enough to stop fake or low-quality leads, and stresses that maintaining high lead quality is a shared responsibility between Google and advertisers.

Performance Max campaigns in Google Ads now offer two distinct landing page options: "Your website" and "Google Business Profile (optimized for ads)." Advertisers can send clicks to a Google-hosted page linked to their business profile, which comes with built-in conversion tracking methods.

A new feature called Video Ads Dubbing has launched in Google Ads' Asset Studio. This AI-powered tool lets advertisers dub video ads into 33 languages and locales. First spotted internally in October 2025, it's now rolling out for free to select users, allowing advertisers to scale their video creative across international markets.

Google Merchant Center has updated its guidelines to help advertisers replace product videos more efficiently. The help page now clarifies that using a new, unique URL for video updates triggers a faster recrawl, typically within 24-72 hours. Keeping the same URL, on the other hand, can delay updates significantly.

Microsoft Advertising has launched a HubSpot integration designed to connect advertising activity with CRM data and enable closed-loop marketing. Advertisers can track, measure, optimize, and report on Microsoft Advertising activity directly within HubSpot, opening up several new possibilities for shared users.

If you run ads for a Wix site and went looking for Cookiebot, you've probably already hit the first surprise: Wix no longer offers Cookiebot for Wix. That used to be the case, but now you install Usercentrics for Wix instead, a separate app built by the same company. Usercentrics states plainly that...

LinkedIn added a 180-day attribution window option for conversion types like Purchase, Lead and Qualified Lead in its Conversions API, alongside richer company intelligence data and CREATIVE_NAME support in dynamic UTM tracking.

While Sponsored Agents remain a US-only test, the Shopify route opens in other markets on September 23, giving advertisers outside the US a practical on-ramp to the format.

In its 'Ads in ChatGPT: The Basics' documentation, OpenAI reaffirms that ads are not eligible to appear near sensitive or regulated topics like personal health, mental health, or politics, and are not shown to accounts identified as under 18 on the Free and Go plans.

Industry coverage notes that while ChatGPT Ads reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate in under 200 days, questions remain about actual performance, as agency buyers say returns have not yet materialized.

Snapchat announced it will focus on AI-driven performance improvements and expanding native ad formats like Reminder Ads and Sponsored Snaps, amid stalled user growth in the US and EU.

Almost simultaneously with new dashboards in GA4, Google Ads is now rolling out fully automatic AI-generated dashboards to streamline campaign analysis.

Since August 17, Target CPA and Target ROAS bid strategies on budget-limited campaigns are being steered strictly to the stated target instead of the best performance achieved, and advertisers are still reporting impacts weeks later.

Google has updated its help page to clarify ad review times across campaign types. Most reviews finish within one business day, but standard reviews for Demand Gen and Discovery campaigns now take 3-5 business days, with complex formats potentially requiring up to 7 days. Advertisers should note that edits restart the review process.

Google Merchant Center has enhanced its product data specifications by adding detailed formatting guidelines for its newer conversational attributes. These updates provide clarity with technical names and file-format examples, enabling more precise data submissions. A TSV template for these attributes is also available.

The Microsoft Advertising API's GetEditorialReasonsByIds service now supports ImageAsset and TextAsset types alongside the existing Ad and Keyword entities. This lets advertisers programmatically retrieve disapproval reasons for these assets, improving workflows for managing Responsive Search Ads and other asset-based formats.

A formatting bug in Google Ads appears to cause the "Sponsored results" headline to occasionally display misaligned in search results. The issue shows up across various browsers and searches, with the heading not consistently left-aligned. Another screenshot shows the problem even more clearly.

OpenAI updated its official ChatGPT Ads blog with a new entry titled 'Reimagining advertising with AI,' listed as the most recent post in the ad platform's news section.

Under the title 'Reimagining advertising with AI,' OpenAI announced Sponsored Agents (brand-backed conversational agents triggered after an ad click), a creative assistant for generating ad copy and images, and natural-language campaign management inside Ads Manager.

OpenAI began testing Sponsored Agents with select US advertisers, business-sponsored AI agents that hold a separate conversation with users after they click on an ad in ChatGPT.

Alongside the Sponsored Agents launch, HubSpot became OpenAI's first CRM partner for ChatGPT Ads, and a new Shopify App Store connector opened the channel to US merchants.

OpenAI began testing Sponsored Agents, advertiser-backed bots that start a clearly labeled conversation separate from ChatGPT's own answer, with Wayfair and Angi as launch partners in the US.

Amazon Ads announced that its Amazon Ads MCP Server is now available in open beta, aiming to reduce advertising workflow complexity through AI agent integration.

OpenAI updated its Ads Manager Beta documentation, the platform for creating, launching, and managing ChatGPT Ads campaigns, clarifying that it remains a beta product with limited capabilities that will expand over time.

OpenAI confirmed its advertising division hit a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate in less than 200 days since launch, with the platform now used by tens of thousands of advertisers globally.

Angi confirmed it is one of the first partners testing the new format, deploying an agent that connects users to local contractors, while Wayfair offers personalized product recommendations within the same ChatGPT conversation.

Snapchat, Pinterest and Reddit are leveraging AI tools to make ad buying easier for small and medium businesses, aiming to diversify revenue beyond major brand budgets.

OpenAI unveiled Sponsored Agents, an ad format that lets brands complete real tasks inside a ChatGPT conversation rather than just showing a banner, with Angi confirmed as the first named partner alongside a direct commerce integration with Shopify.

A report indicates ChatGPT Ads is drawing advertiser demand but falling short on click-through rates, targeting capabilities and platform reach, according to media agencies.

Wayfair stated it is testing the new format at small scale, applying guardrails around product accuracy, transparency, and handoffs to customer service when needed.

Starting September 16, businesses using HubSpot can connect their ChatGPT Ads account and manage campaigns without leaving the CRM, while US Shopify merchants can use a new app in the Shopify App Store with their catalog already integrated.

US-based Shopify merchants can now install the new free ChatGPT Ads app to create and manage campaigns with their product catalogs automatically integrated. The app will roll out to international markets where ChatGPT Ads is available starting September 23.

OpenAI made generally available a new campaign type that optimizes conversions from both ad clicks and ad views, with billing based on impressions while delivery optimizes toward the conversion goal. The company describes it as its recommended model for maximizing performance.

OpenAI announced its first CRM integration with HubSpot and first ecommerce integration with Shopify for ChatGPT Ads, letting businesses create ads, sync product catalogs, and track performance without leaving those tools. The Shopify app launched in the US on September 16 and will expand internationally on September 23.

Reddit introduced a Split Testing feature in Ads Manager offering five test types, including Max-vs-standard campaign comparisons, to optimize ad performance.

LinkedIn now allows advertisers to target audiences based on LinkedIn profile data within Search and Audience campaigns, improving B2B targeting precision.

Meta released its own first-party MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for ads, enabling AI agents to connect directly to ad account management.

Starting August 17, 2026, Google began rolling out its rewrite of Target CPA and Target ROAS for budget-limited campaigns, with the rollout completing on August 27, 2026. Advertisers are now seeing campaigns trend toward their original targets if left unadjusted. See the updated Google Ads help page for details.

Microsoft Advertising has expanded its Customer Match partner list to include several new customer data platforms (CDPs), effectively doubling the number of available partners to 20 and giving advertisers more options for syncing customer data. New additions include Adobe Real-Time CDP, among others.

Renaming a store in Microsoft Merchant Center no longer disrupts Shopping ads. When a store name is updated, the new name goes into review while ads continue showing the previously approved name. If the new name is rejected, the original store name stays active, and the rejection reason is displayed.

Starting October 1, 2026, new non-portfolio campaigns using Maximize Conversions, Maximize Conversion Value, or Maximize Clicks will lose the Max CPC cap option, while campaigns created before that date keep the setting.

Meta introduced Meta One on September 15, a four-tier paid subscription that gates previously free features like Competitive Insights and Custom Audience Insights, available across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Meta AI.

Amazon Ads officially announced that its flagship unBoxed 2026 conference will take place from September 28–30 at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco, expected to bring new ad formats, AI capabilities, and measurement tools. The event will gather advertisers, agencies, and developers to learn about upcoming platform innovations.

Microsoft emailed advertisers notifying them that Microsoft Advertising will update UTM auto-tagging beginning on September 2, 2026, to improve how campaign performance is measured in third-party analytics platforms like GA4. Format-specific UTM tags will be applied automatically, with no action required from advertisers.

Snapchat introduced Total Snap Takeovers, a format placing brands in the first ad slot across all app tabs, and opened its ads platform to third-party AI agents via its own MCP server.

Search Engine Roundtable reported on September 10 that Google Ads has been offering credits to new and existing customers to encourage ad spend, but is then revoking those credits after they've been used, sparking advertiser complaints.

On September 10, 2026, Google unveiled a new Data Strength Uplift Metric estimating recovered conversions from first-party data setups, alongside Data Manager integration into Google Analytics and Display & Video 360, a universal Data Manager API, and global availability of Meridian GeoX.

Google has introduced a new onboarding experience for Google Ads API developers in the Google Cloud Console. The update automates Basic Access applications for developers who have completed brand verification. Among the key changes, developers can now sign up directly through the Google Cloud Console.

Google is testing Google Messages as a new option for Message assets in sponsored search results. Google Messages joins existing messaging options available to advertisers, including WhatsApp, Messenger, Zalo, SMS, and Line, giving advertisers another way to let potential customers reach them directly.

Advertisers using Google Ads are voicing frustration after promotional credits were revoked following being spent. David Melamed reported on LinkedIn that he ran into this issue twice recently. Once spent, the credits were invalidated, leaving advertisers unexpectedly covering the costs themselves.

Microsoft Advertising has published a dedicated help page outlining transparency rules for AI-generated and synthetic content. Advertisers are now required to disclose AI use in their ads, preserve metadata, and avoid deepfakes in order to maintain consumer trust. Read the official announcement, spotted by Hana Ko.

TikTok continues strengthening requirements for brands and agencies to operate from a verified, official presence on the platform, expanding formal agency recognition based on managed spend.

Amazon Ads and OpenAI launched a pilot on September 10 letting select U.S. advertisers buy ChatGPT ad space through Amazon DSP, with Delta Vacations among the first brands testing it. Amazon manages campaign setup, but OpenAI's system still decides which ads appear and where.

Digiday reported on September 14 that OpenAI was testing with select clients an ad format that opens a chat with the advertiser's AI agent instead of redirecting to a website, confirmed by Wayfair as part of the pilot.

Amazon Ads confirmed its flagship unBoxed 2026 event will take place September 28-30 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where it will unveil new AI-powered advertising products.

Google Ads is bringing action tasks together onto a single page, making account management simpler for advertisers. The goal is a cleaner account experience, with tasks surfacing in one convenient spot. For instance, a task like "Apply for free desktop software certification" showed up i

Google Merchant Center briefly showed internal AI prompts meant for generating performance insights, instead of just the final summaries. The glitch revealed behind-the-scenes parameters, such as click changes for 20 products and the decision rules used to highlight top items. Users saw instructions like...

In Google's new Digital Markets Act (DMA) booking search widgets, displayed prices are customized based on factors such as device type. The exact factors beyond "device type" aren't fully clear, but location and language could also play a role. This customization applies only in the EU, where the DMA is in effect.

A newly spotted feature in Google Shopping ads adds a countdown timer annotation to product discounts. The update is designed to boost visibility for promotional offers by showing how much time remains before a deal expires. Advertisers will see the "X days left" annotation appear in the shopping...

Merchants can now enrich their product listings in Google Merchant Center with video content. This update lets you upload videos directly at the product level, giving you a way to showcase products beyond static images. Supported video specs include flexible aspect ratios...

Google Ads has rolled out a new AI-powered dashboard creation feature that lets users simply describe the dashboard they want, with Google AI building it for them. Advertisers can use this to quickly summarize account performance, analyze conversion trends, and review Search campaign data.

Bing's latest update integrates shopping ads directly into Bing Copilot results. This enhancement lets users see ads alongside search assistance and specific products, bridging the gap between conversational search and advertising. Advertisers can expect increased visibility for their products within Copilot's AI-driven responses.

Google is testing "sold last week" badges in Shopping ads, showing how many units of a product were sold over the past week. This feature appears alongside other product details in Google Shopping ads and aims to boost social proof by highlighting popularity metrics.

Google Ads will update its Gambling and Games policy specifically for Croatia, effective October 7, 2026. The updated policy will prohibit the promotion of online gambling content targeting Croatia. All existing advertiser certifications for such content will be revoked, and new applications will be required.

Google Shopping Ads data reveals a "reverse crocodile effect" following the rollout of AI Overviews in Google Search. As reported by Mike Ryan, Shopping Ads have seen a decline in impressions alongside an increase in click-through rates, based on data spanning 175 billion impressions from mid-2025 onward.

Advertisers using Google Merchant Center's automatic imports can now add supplemental feeds, a capability some experts hadn't previously noticed. This addition improves data feed management by giving advertisers more flexibility over their product data. Previously, supplemental feeds could only be applied to primary feeds.

A new segment called "Loyalty program members" has been spotted in Google Ads reporting. It lets advertisers analyze performance by targeting users enrolled in loyalty programs using their first-party data. The update was flagged by Arpan Banerjee.

Google Ads is beta testing a new feature called Product Value Optimization, which lets advertisers adjust the value of specific products and feed those values directly into automated bidding strategies. Advertisers can set product-level value adjustments and use product attributes to define them.

Google is rolling out Promotion Mode support for daily budgets in Google Ads, expanding on the total-budget version first announced in September 2025. Still in beta, the feature is available for Search and Performance Max campaigns and is designed for temporary events like flash sales, allowing advertisers to schedule budget boosts in advance.

Microsoft is experimenting with bolding the HTTPS portion of URLs in Bing search results. The subtle tweak to link display highlights secure connections and was spotted by Sachin Patel, who shared it on X.

Google updated its Location asset requirements in June and September 2026 to improve terminology and readability. The changes aim to give advertisers clearer guidance on managing location assets without changing how policy is enforced, and also include new troubleshooting information.

Google is integrating Store Sales into Data Manager within Google Ads, making it easier for eligible advertisers to import in-store transaction data. The feature lets advertisers connect existing sales data—such as from a CRM or Google Sheets—directly within their Google Ads account.

AI performance insights in Google Merchant Center are now rolling out to merchants in Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand, joining the US. This expansion lets advertisers evaluate how their brand performs for conversational, shopping-intent queries across Google's AI ecosystem.

Google Ads has added a detailed section to its AI Max help documentation addressing changes to keyword prioritization. Previously, broad keywords were treated as exact match under certain settings. The new guidance clarifies that disabling the broad match setting or migrating to AI Max means broad keywords will now behave differently.

Google Ads has updated its help documentation on phone call conversions and offline conversions. Advertisers can now enable call reporting and set conversion actions as primary to ensure calls are recorded correctly. It's also recommended to adjust the 'minimum call length' setting and review the 'Call Details' report.

Google Ads now shows search history for custom search terms, giving advertisers deeper insight into specific queries. Advertisers can access a detailed record of the search terms used, offering a clearer view of consumer behavior in relation to their campaigns. The update was first shared by Anthony Higman.

Google is now inserting 'Related searches based on your browsing' into the sponsored results section. This change could shift user behavior, as users may refine their searches and generate extra ad impressions without clicking. The update was shared by Anthony Higman.

Google has announced new measurement enhancements aimed at driving business growth through better data integration and analysis. Data Manager is now directly integrated with Google Analytics and DV360, allowing advertisers to manage their first-party data more effectively.

Days before the Sponsored Agents launch, OpenAI finalized the integration of Amazon Ads into the ChatGPT ad inventory via its DSP, laying the commerce infrastructure groundwork.

Microsoft introduced Curate, a tool that helps publishers and data owners turn proprietary assets into scalable revenue through programmatic curation, announced on September 10, 2026.

Amazon Ads announced a partnership with OpenAI to enable conversational advertising within ChatGPT, with select U.S. advertisers currently testing the format as part of a pilot.

Google Ads is releasing Local Customer Optimization and Store Sales in Data Manager for multi-location retailers, as reported on September 9. These tools aim to improve attribution and optimization for brick-and-mortar businesses.

Following the AI Max migration, the Google Ads API introduces three new reporting surfaces: the segments.search_term_match_source segment, the ai_max_search_term_ad_combination_view view, and expanded_landing_page_view. Data teams should review pipelines as final URL expansion can silently break URL-based joins.

Google has started showing in-account notices encouraging advertisers to voluntarily upgrade Dynamic Search Ads to AI Max this September. Automatic DSA migration is scheduled for February 2027, when creating new DSA ad groups will also be permanently removed.

Google Hotel Ads has introduced a new "DEAL" badge that automatically displays when a hotel offers a discount of 15% or more. Properties offering discounts of at least 25% receive an upgraded "GREAT DEAL" label. The feature was first spotted in the wild by Thomas Eccel.

Google's AI Mode is now serving ads from standard Search campaigns using restrictive match types, based on multiple tests reported by Anthony Higman on LinkedIn. Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed that exact match and phrase match keywords in regular Search campaigns are eligible to show in AI Mode results.

Google is piloting a Prefill feature for Demand Gen campaigns that uses Google AI to help advertisers get campaigns up and running faster. The tool pulls settings and assets from an existing campaign, letting advertisers select a source campaign as a template to streamline the setup process.

Google appears to be experimenting with a collapsible format for additional assets in Search ads. Rather than displaying all assets upfront, the extra assets are hidden behind a "+2" indicator, keeping the initial ad appearance more compact. The indicator sits alongside a callout-style asset in the ad layout.

A recent report notes that ChatGPT ad performance varies widely among advertisers, with some reporting costs per click under $3 while others pay up to $13, and highly uneven lead generation results.

Starting September 17, 2026, Private Auctions will respect publisher-level blocks for specific advertisers, brands, and buyers by default. Advertisers should review active deals to avoid unintended delivery interruptions.

The Google tag gateway for advertisers has exited its beta phase with Akamai and Fastly, expanding first-party infrastructure options to improve measurement signal quality.

Google Ads has launched an account-level automated asset that scans advertiser landing pages for active offers and attaches them to ads as promotion assets. The feature was spotted by PPC News Feed's Hana Kobzova and reported on September 7, 2026, with no official Google blog post.

A federal judge has rejected the DOJ's requests to remedy Google's monopoly in ad tech by forcing it to divest assets, mirroring a previous ruling on Chrome. The decision is a significant relief for Google's advertising ecosystem.

Google is expanding LSA direct booking to more than 500 partners, making it easier for customers to book services directly from an ad. Advertisers with an active booking partner linked to their Google Business Profile will benefit most from this update.

The Google Tag Gateway for advertisers has exited its beta phase with Akamai and Fastly, providing a more robust first-party tagging option. This change strengthens server-side measurement for advertisers seeking greater tracking accuracy.

Google has globally released Meridian GeoX, an open-source geo experimentation library now available to all marketers. First announced at Google Marketing Live earlier this year, it supports geo-based incrementality experiments that integrate directly with Marketing Mix Models (MMM), making causal measurement more accessible for advertisers of all sizes.

Google Ads has rolled out a pre-fill asset groups feature for Performance Max campaigns. Advertisers can now automatically pull AI-generated assets from Asset Studio directly into their asset groups, saving time during campaign setup. The update was first spotted by Barry Schwartz.

Starting October 30, 2026, Google will update its personalized advertising policy to allow alcohol ads on YouTube inventory where locally permitted. The change reflects increased advertiser demand and improved data privacy safeguards, enabling more targeted personalized ads for alcohol brands within applicable legal frameworks.

Google Ads has added an "Audiences" tag beneath video assets in the Asset Library, allowing advertisers to associate specific audience segments directly with their YouTube video content. This makes it easier to identify which audiences are linked to each video asset when building or reviewing ad campaigns.

Meta's Marketing API v24.0 sunsets on October 6, 2026, and on October 27 the v26.0 field removals extend to all remaining API versions, affecting developers and integration tools.

Microsoft sent emails confirming that Max CPC will no longer be available when creating new non-portfolio campaigns using Maximize Conversions, Maximize Conversion Value, or Maximize Clicks after October 1, 2026; existing and portfolio-strategy campaigns keep the setting.

X is rolling out a new ad platform that consolidates campaign objectives and standardizes structure, including ad-group-level budgets and simplified optimization options.

Starting Oct. 1, Microsoft Advertising will stop allowing advertisers to set Max CPC limits on new campaigns using several standalone automated bidding strategies. Existing campaigns with Max CPC won't immediately lose it, but removing it after that date will be irreversible.

Starting October 1, Microsoft will remove the Max CPC setting from new campaigns using Maximize Conversions, Maximize Conversion Value, or Maximize Clicks, pushing advertisers toward budget and CPA/ROAS-based controls instead. Existing campaigns created before that date will keep the setting.

Amazon Ads announced that Prime Video advertising will be introduced in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Turkey during 2026, expanding its streaming ad inventory in Europe.

Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed that AI Max is now the default setting when creating new Search campaigns, citing tests showing campaigns achieved their first conversion faster in the first two weeks after launch.

Google Ads has added Klaviyo as a native integration for Offline Conversion Import and Customer Match. Advertisers can now sync their CRM data with Google Ads directly through Klaviyo without any custom development, streamlining first-party data activation for bidding and audience targeting.

Google is now displaying Shopping ads within AI Mode results, with two different ad formats spotted. This represents a significant expansion of ad placements into the new AI-powered search experience.

The Google Tag Gateway for advertisers has exited its beta phase with Akamai and Fastly. This change has direct implications for tag setup and conversion data collection for advertisers.

Google Ads is testing a new variation of expandable sitelinks where they are collapsed by default and a number indicator shows how many more are available. Additionally, Google Ads is now pushing notifications to advertisers for recommendations they had previously dismissed.

Google has started testing restrictive match types for standard Search campaigns within AI Mode. This limited experiment allows exact match and phrase match keywords to trigger text ads, but only when there is clear and direct user intent. AI Mode — which is separate from AI Max and Performance Max — is designed to capture more straightforward search intentions.

Google has rolled out Waze Ads internationally, extending availability well beyond the US to a total of 42 countries. This expansion is reflected in updated Performance Max help documentation in the Google Ads Help Center. Waze Ads, previously restricted to the United States for store goal campaigns bidding on Store visits, are now accessible to a much broader advertiser base.

Google is now testing a "What customers love" section within Search ads on desktop, a feature that had previously only been spotted on mobile. This section displays AI-generated summaries of positive customer review feedback, adding an extra layer of credibility and useful information to ads directly on the SERP.

Google has carried out a comprehensive update to the official Performance Max documentation in the Google Ads Help Center. The revised docs introduce several new topics, including search prioritization, campaign controls, and budget recommendations, while also providing clearer guidance on key concepts such as Search and Performance Max interaction and asset group setup.

At Google Marketing Live 2026, Google announced AI-powered Shopping Ads that include real-time AI-generated summaries explaining why a specific product is the best match for a user's search query. Merchant Center feeds are used to dynamically generate ads that respond directly to conversational search queries, making product listings more relevant and persuasive.

Google is testing new ad formats within AI Mode, powered by AI Max and Performance Max, that adapt their creative and explain why a specific product best answers the user's query. These ads are integrated directly into Gemini-generated responses.

Microsoft Advertising has published its 2026 Holiday Playbook, outlining six key global trends advertisers need to keep on their radar heading into the holiday season. The guide puts a strong focus on AI's growing influence on shopping behavior, with 76% of U.S. shoppers saying they plan to use AI to help with their holiday purchases.

Google Ads API v22 is being sunset on October 7, 2026. From that date onwards, all requests made through v22 will fail, so advertisers will need to migrate to a newer version to keep their API access up and running. You can review your recent usage of API methods and services via the Google Cloud Console. Check the official announcement for full details.

Following Google Marketing Live 2026, Google is rolling out four new ad formats inside AI Mode, including Conversational Discovery Ads and AI-Powered Shopping Ads. Gemini-powered Shopping Ads automatically generate custom explainers describing why each product is the right match for a user's specific query.

Google Ads has updated its guidance to allow Hotel Ads campaigns to target and exclude specific regions and cities. This geographic targeting improvement gives hotel advertisers more granular control over their campaigns.

Google Ads has introduced a new account-level automated asset called Automated Promotions. This feature allows advertisers to automate the display of relevant promotions without manual per-campaign configuration.

Microsoft Advertising has rolled out new average target metrics to help advertisers track performance more accurately as their targets shift over time. These metrics are now available in the Campaign overview, Campaign grid, and portfolio bid strategies, giving advertisers a cleaner way to analyze trends and measure results against fluctuating goals.

Google has officially launched Video campaign groups in the Google Ads interface, following the initial announcement back in July. Advertisers can now select between a Standard campaign group and the new Video campaign group, currently in Beta. The Video campaign group supports both Video and related campaign types, giving advertisers more flexibility in how they organize and manage their video activity.

Some Google Ads advertisers are seeing new recommendations prompting them to apply ROAS targets to their campaigns. The recommendations come with an 'Apply target' button that reinstates targets based on historical performance data. While the one-click convenience is appealing, advertisers should take a close look before accepting these suggestions to make sure the recommended targets actually align with their business goals.

Google is once again experimenting with AI-generated review summaries appearing directly within Search ads. The feature displays a 'What customers love' section followed by testimonial-style text, giving users a quick snapshot of customer sentiment without leaving the search results page. This is not the first time Google has tested this format, with a similar trial spotted just last month.

LinkedIn announced new ad options including Reserved Ads to maximize impact, ad personalization, and AI-generated ad variants.

TikTok struck a first-of-its-kind IP licensing deal with Disney that turns fan content into a formal distribution channel, amid a month of major regulatory and platform shifts.

Reddit introduced a new 15-second Engaged Video Views optimization goal that lifted view-through rates by 51% and completion rates by 71% in alpha testing, suited for trailers and testimonials.

Google Ads has introduced a new account-level automated asset called Automated Promotions, giving advertisers a new way to surface promotional offers automatically.

Microsoft Advertising is rolling out a Dual-ID requirement to strengthen account security when linking accounts. Advertisers managing multiple accounts will now need to provide two identifiers instead of one. For Manager account (CID) linking, both identifiers must be included to complete the process — reducing the risk of unauthorized account access.

App campaign advertisers can now view Cost and Conversions metrics at the product level within their reports. Previously, product reports only showed engagement data such as impressions and clicks. This update gives advertisers clearer visibility into which specific products are driving app installs and where budget is being spent.

Google Ads has added Klaviyo as an official integration partner for Offline Conversion Import and Customer Match. The integration allows advertisers to sync first-party customer data directly between Klaviyo and Google Ads, cutting down on manual data uploads and streamlining audience and conversion workflows.

Microsoft has updated its advertising guidelines for the Xbox Dash placement within the Microsoft Audience Network. The revised rules significantly expand the list of prohibited ad categories — including credit cards and other sensitive verticals — and introduce new requirements specifically for non-endemic campaigns running on the placement.

Google has updated its Developer Policies — formerly known as the Google Ads API Policy — with a focus on tightening security standards for developer integrations. Developers are encouraged to review the changes to ensure their integrations remain compliant. The Ads API Compliance team is actively auditing existing integrations and will be reaching out directly where action is needed.

OpenAI updated its ads platform in early September to require product feeds for shopping results, while adding new global markets, an Ads Manager plugin, and audience tools for ecommerce brands.

Starting August 1, a specific group of Amazon advertisers contacted directly lost the ability to use a credit card as their primary ad payment method, with costs now deducted from seller/vendor account balance or via Pay by Invoice. Amazon clarified the change is narrow and does not affect most advertisers, who were already paying via account balance deduction.

Pacvue, a commerce operating system for retail media, integrated Reddit Ads in 2026 so brands can buy and track campaigns alongside more than one hundred retail media networks like Amazon and Walmart.

A new feature for Performance Max campaigns enables advertisers to adjust channel priorities, giving them more control over how budget is allocated across Search, YouTube, Display, and other channels. Google warns that adjusting these settings will directly impact overall campaign performance.

On September 3, 2026, YouTube Creator Partnerships launched new Reach metrics under the Analytics tab. These metrics give advertisers greater visibility into the reach of their creator partnership campaigns.

Google has introduced a strict 7-day window for uploading offline conversions. Conversions uploaded after this deadline will still appear in standard reports, but will be excluded from Data-Driven Attribution (DDA) calculations. This is a critical change for advertisers relying on Offline Conversion Import, as late uploads could skew Smart Bidding signals and attribution models.

The Google tag gateway for advertisers has exited its beta phase with Akamai and Fastly. This change impacts how server-side tagging is managed for ad measurement.

YouTube Creator Partnerships has added new Reach metrics in the Analytics tab. These metrics estimate unique viewers, including co-viewers on connected TVs, using a consistent cross-device methodology aligned with YouTube Analytics. This ensures that reach data stays consistent between Google Ads and YouTube Analytics reporting.

The Google tag gateway for advertisers has officially exited beta on both Akamai and Fastly. Setup pages for these CDNs no longer carry the 'beta' label, making them a stable measurement option alongside the already-established Cloudflare integration. Setup instructions for Akamai and Fastly have been updated accordingly.

Google has started serving Shopping ads within AI Mode results. Two formats have been spotted in the wild: a multi-product shopping carousel and a single product unit. This move reflects Google's push to bring more ad formats into AI Mode, which could open up additional click and revenue opportunities for advertisers.

Meta announced new AI-powered tools to boost purchases from livestreams working with platforms like CommentSold and Firework, and rolled out 'Post-view ads,' a new ad format for Instagram Reels.

Google will display in-account notices urging advertisers to voluntarily upgrade Dynamic Search Ads to AI Max during September 2026. Full automatic migration won't happen until February 2027, but creating new DSA ad groups is already blocked.

Google's official developer blog confirmed changes to language targeting for Search, AI Max for Search, and Performance Max campaigns starting September 2026, simplifying multilingual campaign management.

Starting in late September 2026, Google is removing campaign-level language targeting from Search and AI Max for Search campaigns. Google's automated systems will determine ad serving based on the language of the ad and user language signals.

Google Ads will update its Gambling and Games policy on September 14, 2026, expanding certification requirements for advertisers in this vertical. Affected advertisers should check whether they need to renew or update their certification ahead of the deadline.

Throughout 2026, Google is transitioning Lookalike segments in Demand Gen campaigns from strict targeting constraints to an AI-driven suggestion mode. Advertisers can opt out and retain the previous behavior as a Targeting Constraint via a dedicated form.

Under Google's new alcohol policy effective September 30, alcohol mixers and specialized accessories such as home brewing kits and distillation equipment move from a gray area to explicitly permitted advertising categories. Advertisers in these niches will have greater regulatory clarity.

Google will implement an updated Alcohol policy on September 30, 2026, introducing a more unified global framework, revising country-specific guidelines, and expanding allowed advertising locations. Advertisers in 0% alcohol regions must apply for new certification before the deadline.

Google Ads has launched a new account-level automated asset called Automated Promotions. The feature scans landing pages to detect active promotional offers — such as '20% off black sweaters' or 'Buy one get one free' — and automatically generates a promotion asset that gets attached to eligible campaigns. No manual setup required.

Google Ads has updated its Hotel Ads targeting options, enabling advertisers to target or exclude specific geographic areas including regions, states, cities, and postal codes — not just countries or territories as before. Note that radius targeting remains unsupported for Hotel campaigns.

Google has updated its official help documentation to redefine bumper ad specs: these non-skippable ads must now be between 5 and 6 seconds long, replacing the previous definition of '6 seconds or shorter.' Creative teams producing bumper ads under 5 seconds will need to adjust, as those creatives no longer meet the updated requirements.

The FTC and 22 state attorneys general filed suit against Amazon alleging it secretly inflated prices in its advertising auctions after 2019 rule changes, potentially costing advertisers more than $20 billion.

Microsoft Advertising unveiled the finalists for its annual Partner Awards across multiple global regions, recognizing innovation and client impact within its partner ecosystem.

Microsoft Advertising unveiled the finalists for its 2026 Partner Awards, recognizing achievements, innovation and client impact across its North American partner ecosystem.

TikTok Ads introduced Mini Series, an in-app episodic storytelling feature for brands and marketers, paired with Growth Max to amplify automated ad performance.

Advertisers will continue to pay only for valid leads such as calls, messages, and bookings after the LSA migration, but the standalone dashboard is being shut down. Account admins will receive an advance notification email 14 days before their migration date.

Google has begun automatically upgrading Search campaigns using Campaign-level Broad Match or standalone Automatically Created Assets to AI Max throughout September 2026. Campaigns are migrated in place using equivalent AI Max settings to minimize disruption.

Google is testing a new sitelink design in desktop Search ads featuring black text, a larger font size, and a visual divider between links. For account managers handling large or multi-level campaign structures, this change could meaningfully improve navigation and visibility within ads.

Google has introduced Ask Advisor, a Gemini-based agent that brings together Google Ads, Google Analytics, Merchant Center, and Google Marketing Platform into a single interface. Advertisers can pull insights and optimize campaigns from one centralized access point without switching between platforms.

Google is phasing out language targeting at the campaign level for Search campaigns and the Search Network component of Performance Max. Going forward, the system will automatically determine the ad language at auction time based on the ad content and landing page.

Google Ads is rolling out Lookalike segments to Video campaigns, giving advertisers another campaign type to reach new users who resemble their existing audiences. Previously limited to Demand Gen campaigns, this expansion opens up similar audience targeting to advertisers running Video campaigns.

Microsoft has rebranded its AI Max Text Guidelines as Text Guardrails across both AI Max search campaigns and Performance Max. Advertisers can customize these guardrails by adding term exclusions to keep AI-generated text assets aligned with brand guidelines, with a limit of up to 25 excluded terms.

Google has updated its Business Agent help documentation to allow Shopify merchants to activate the AI-powered shopping assistant directly through the Google YouTube app. Business Agent is a branded AI shopping tool that surfaces when consumers search for a business on Google Search, enabling shoppers to ask questions and get personalized assistance.

TikTok published its ad policy change log updated through September 2026, with accumulated modifications across categories like financial services, alcohol, prediction markets, and adult content.

Reddit launched Max campaigns on a limited basis in January 2026 and, after encouraging initial results, opened them to all advertisers in September 2026; the tool automates nearly the entire ad creation process.

Amazon Ads invited advertisers to its annual flagship conference, where it will share how AI and new advertising solutions aim to make it easier for brands of every size to drive results.

TikTok introduced Growth Max: Mini Games, a new way to promote games directly within the app, letting users engage without ever leaving TikTok.

Meta now allows advertisers to build custom audiences specifically for excluding groups such as existing customers or opted-out users, helping avoid wasted budget on unwanted audiences.

TikTok announced an update to its Financial Services ad policy allowing Contracts for Difference (CFD) ads in Canada and the United States, subject to strict compliance and prior approval from a TikTok sales representative.

TikTok announced that SMB advertisers can now choose full, partial, or manual automation control over audience, budget, placements, and catalog within Smart+, with new visual labels in the interface.

Google will automatically migrate legacy Dynamic Search Ads campaigns to AI Max in September 2026, transitioning advertisers to the next generation of AI-powered Search capabilities.

Google is extending the 'Book Online' button integration — powered by Reserve with Google partners — to both Search and Performance Max campaigns. The feature enables users to book directly from the ad, reducing friction in the conversion path for businesses that offer online reservations.

Performance Max campaigns are getting a new Alpha feature that lets advertisers set priority levels for individual channels based on business importance. Using priority sliders, you can control how conversions are weighted across channels such as Search, YouTube, Gmail, and others.

Google Ads has rebranded its payment options in the billing system: 'Automatic payments' is now Postpay and 'Manual payments' is now Prepay. The updated terminology is rolling out across billing screens and approximately 60 help pages, including glossaries and related documentation.

Google is rolling out a revised Alcohol advertising policy on September 30, 2026, moving toward a more unified global framework. The update includes revised country-specific rules, an expanded list of eligible advertising locations, and clearer advertiser requirements. Updated policy language is already available for review.

Google Ads has published new help documentation to assist advertisers in diagnosing and resolving performance drops or unexpected changes across campaign types, including Performance Max, Search, Display, Video, and Shopping. The guides walk through identifying root causes and steps to address them.

While the Cookiebot Shopify app works for most stores, some setups require a manual installation — particularly if you manage multiple domains under one Cookiebot account, deploy tags via Google Tag Manager, or need granular control over which scripts get blocked. This guide covers the manual theme code installation process step by step.

Meta is removing placement checkboxes from ad sets, replacing them with a value rule that can cut bids by 90% but cannot fully switch off a placement, impacting existing brand-safety exclusions.

Google has introduced a new 'Product Titles' report in Google Ads that shows advertisers which AI-generated titles are being served in their Shopping Ads and how they are performing. Google's AI may replace the advertiser's original product title when it determines an alternative would be more relevant to the user's query.

Google updated its Gambling and Games policy on August 26, 2026, changing certification applications and compliance standards for advertisers. New applicants must use revised forms and display required licensing information on their websites.

Google published its August 2026 Demand Gen Drop on August 27th, adding a test that lets viewers start conversations with brands on messaging apps directly from Demand Gen ads on YouTube. Google claims improvements to Demand Gen are driving a 30% average increase in conversions.

Google has rolled out new testing and planning capabilities within AI Max to boost Search campaign performance. From September 2026, advertisers will be able to run multi-campaign A/B tests, making it possible to evaluate different budgets and ROI targets within a single experiment.

As AI Max rolls out across Microsoft Advertising, advertisers will see changes to their Search campaigns. Existing auto-generated assets for Responsive Search Ads will migrate into the text customization feature within AI Max, ensuring previous AI settings are preserved during the transition.

Google has integrated Gemini Omni into Google Ads, enabling multimodal video creation directly within Asset Studio. The feature simplifies video production across multiple formats, helping marketers generate more creative variety to improve ad performance.

Microsoft Advertising has unveiled a refreshed UI featuring redesigned navigation and improved tables, aimed at making the platform cleaner and easier to use. The update brings greater clarity, consistency, and smoother data interaction, while users who prefer the old layout can still switch back to the classic experience.

From late June 2026, Google has enhanced the Popular Products reports in Merchant Center to deliver a more accurate and complete picture of product performance. The improvements also extend to the Merchant API and BigQuery integrations.

Google is experimenting with a new loading animation on mobile search results pages that displays the message 'Evaluating sponsored results' while ads load, alongside both the Google and Gemini logos. The test was spotted and shared by Sachin Patel, who posted a screenshot showing placeholder ads during the loading state.

Google is expanding its 'Book Online' button, powered by Reserve with Google partner integrations, to Search and Performance Max campaigns. Previously limited to Local Service Ads and Maps ads, the button now lets searchers click through directly to an advertiser's scheduling flow from standard Google Ads.

Google is testing a swipeable category carousel within paid text ads on the search results page. The feature lets users swipe through different category tabs to browse relevant sponsored results beneath them. The test was spotted and shared by Sachin Patel.

Google Ads has launched a new Product Titles report that gives advertisers visibility into AI-generated product titles. The report displays Google AI-customized product titles side by side with the original titles, along with impressions, clicks, and other key performance metrics.

Google is testing a 'FOR YOU' label appearing in the top-left corner of dynamic remarketing ads on the Display Network. The label signals to users that the ad content has been personalized based on products or pages they previously viewed on the advertiser's website.

Starting October 1, 2026, missed calls received during business hours through Local Services Ads will be charged as valid leads if the caller stays on the line for more than 20 seconds. The updated policy also extends this charging rule to follow-up calls that meet the same criteria after the initial interaction.

Microsoft has updated its finance advertising policies for Australia and Brazil to permit cryptocurrency exchange ads across both Audience ads and Search ads. Advertisers in these markets can now promote cryptocurrency-related services more broadly within Microsoft's advertising platforms.

Google has announced a new set of Demand Gen enhancements as part of its August Demand Gen Drop. The updates focus on helping advertisers generate high-quality leads and reach new customers on YouTube and other channels. Highlights include new messaging integrations that let viewers start conversations with brands directly from the ad.

Google has officially rolled out new creative insights and experimentation features within Asset Studio. These tools are designed to move advertisers away from guesswork and toward data-driven creative decisions, with automated A/B testing capabilities now available to help identify top-performing assets.

Google is integrating Gemini Omni into Asset Studio, enabling advertisers to turn creative briefs and brand assets into campaign-ready videos. The goal is to speed up and simplify the creative production process for advertisers.

Google has updated the short_title attribute specs in Google Merchant Center to expand its use beyond Demand Gen campaigns. The attribute will now also be applied to visual ad formats such as YouTube and Discover within Performance Max campaigns.

Google has released its 2026 AI-Powered Holiday Playbook, a comprehensive guide aimed at helping retailers make the most of the holiday shopping season. This year's edition focuses heavily on how AI is shaping consumer shopping behavior and outlines the key actions marketers should take to stay competitive.

Google has significantly expanded its Reserve with Google integration for Local Services Ads, growing the number of supported booking partners from 20 to over 500. Businesses can now automatically display partner booking links directly on their LSA listings, making it easier for customers to book without leaving the ad.

Google will update its creative requirements for Google TV masthead ads in September 2026. The new guidelines will allow assets featuring alcohol, select consumer electronics such as headphones and computers, and healthcare or medicine-related content. Some previously restricted asset types will also be affected by the update.

Microsoft has updated its gambling advertising policy for Brazil with stricter licensing requirements. Effective August 19, 2026, advertisers running online casino, sports betting, or daily fantasy sports ads must hold a valid license from Brazil's Ministry of Finance and maintain a local presence in the country.

A new 'Under Re-Review' policy status has been spotted in Google Ads, indicating that a previously reviewed ad is being re-evaluated. In the observed example, the ad maintained an Eligible (Limited) status during the re-review, meaning it could still serve to a restricted audience. It remains unclear what specific conditions trigger this status.

Microsoft Advertising announced AI Max for Search becoming generally available, along with new tools to view asset policy status directly in the Assets tab, helping advertisers resolve delivery issues faster.

Google published a new help document detailing Local customer optimization for Performance Max campaigns with store goals, designed to reach nearby, high-intent users through Google Maps, Waze, and local Search formats. The feature is not compatible with Merchant Center product feeds or online conversion goals.

Google has integrated its Gemini Omni multimodal model into Asset Studio in Google Ads, enabling advertisers to generate multi-format campaign-ready videos from creative briefs, brand guidelines, and existing assets for Demand Gen, Performance Max, and YouTube campaigns. The workflow includes storyboard generation, voiceovers, scene transitions, and direct export to campaigns.

A major new version of the Google Ads API Developer Assistant is now available. This release brings dual-platform support, integrating with both Antigravity and Claude Code, including native support and custom slash commands. It provides developers with Google Ads domain expertise tooling to streamline their workflow.

Google Ads has introduced new customer retention controls specifically for loyalty program members, giving advertisers greater flexibility when optimizing for existing customers. Advertisers can now set separate bid adjustments for loyalty members, on top of the already existing options for general customer retention bidding.

Google has updated its Smart Bidding guidance, cutting the recommended observation period after making adjustments from 3 conversion cycles or 4 weeks down to just 1–2 conversion cycles. This reflects Google's updated stance on how quickly its Smart Bidding systems can now adapt to new strategies or targets.

Google has announced upcoming enhancements to Ask Advisor, including shared memory across Google Ads, Analytics, Merchant Center, and Google Marketing Platform. The feature will carry goals, past decisions, and performance data seamlessly between platforms, helping advertisers get more consistent and context-aware recommendations.

Google has flagged a breaking change on its help page: GTM snippets will soon stop recognizing and waiting for gtag('config') commands. Any site using a GTM container while also relying on gtag('config','G-…'/'AW-…') calls to configure GA4 or Google Ads tags will need to migrate their setup to avoid tracking disruptions.

Microsoft Advertising has launched a new aggregate delivery status column in the Campaigns grid, currently rolling out to select users. It shows an overall delivery status per campaign, surfacing the single highest-priority issue affecting performance, making it easier to spot and prioritize problems at a glance.

Microsoft Advertising has updated its help documentation to cover campaign-level tracking templates for Performance Max shopping product URLs. Advertisers can use dynamic parameters like {AdGroup} in campaign-level tracking templates to populate asset group values, with a sample UTM string provided as a reference.

Google Ads has released three new help pages covering settings, targeting, and best practices for Performance Max campaigns using pay-per-lead objectives (LSAs). The update was first spotted by ppcnewsfeed.com.

Starting August 17, 2026, budget-limited campaigns using Target CPA, Target ROAS, or Demand Gen's Target CPC will optimize more consistently toward the stated goal. Advertisers whose campaigns were previously exceeding their targets may see costs rise if they didn't adjust their goals ahead of this date.

Microsoft Advertising has updated its Government Services Policy, effective August 19, 2026. Under the new guidelines, third-party providers of government-related services — such as passports and visas — must now provide documentation proving their authorization in the target market and obtain pre-approval through the Government Services program.

Google has launched a new Local customer optimization feature within Performance Max campaigns for store goals. It lets advertisers prioritize reaching nearby potential customers who are ready to take immediate actions, such as visiting or calling the business.

Google Ads has introduced an 'Upload as drafts' option for video assets within Asset Studio, allowing advertisers to save videos without immediately linking them to a YouTube channel. Previously, videos had to be uploaded to a YouTube channel before they could be added to a campaign.

Microsoft has updated its Financial Products policy to allow Audience Ads for cryptocurrency exchanges as part of a pilot program. This applies across all markets where Microsoft permits cryptocurrency advertising, subject to pre-approval under the Cryptocurrency advertising program. Previously, all such advertising was restricted.

Google has relocated Policy Manager — the tool that tracks the policy status of limited and disapproved ads — from Tools > Troubleshooting to Admin > Policy. A new Ads tab has been added alongside the existing Account tab, which covers account verifications and certifications.