Daily Search Forum Recap: October 2, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Spam Update Impact, Google Not Paying Much For Your Content, Google Feels Sad & Terrible and more
This week, we covered the first impact felt by the Google September 2026 spam update. And then on Wednesday and Thursday we had the second impact of this spam update. Remember the AI contribution report...
Google Loyalty Customer Match Expands To AI Mode & More Regions
Google made several changes to the about merchant loyalty program within the Google Merchant Center help documentation. The key changes are that Loyalty Customer Match expanded to AI Mode and Gemini and to more regions, but there are even more changes noted in the help documentation.
Google Tests URL Tracking Parameters To AI Overviews & AI Mode
Google seems to be testing adding tracking parameters to the link URLs within AI Overviews. If this rolls out fully, this will help you decipher when you get a click from an AI Overview in Google Search or just a click from the main Google Search web results.
Google Local Service Ads Hiding Phone Number By Default
Google Local Service Ads seems to hide the phone number until you hover your mouse over the ad. I am not sure if this is new or not, but there is a big button that says "Get phone number" which is not needed because the phone number does show up as soon as you move your mouse near the ad.
Bing Product Results With Recommended By Section
Microsoft Bing is testing a new'ish section labeled "Recommended by" followed by the company making the recommendations. The weird thing is, the specific product thumbnails link to various retailers and not the place that recommended it.
Google Ads Sponsored Products Results Missing Images
Google Ads may have a bug or maybe it is testing, not showing images on sponsored product results. You can see from the screenshot below, the images that are generally shown above the ad titles and descriptions are missing from the Sponsored products carousel in Google Search.
Google Ads Sitelinks Format In AI Mode
Google Ads show up a lot within AI Mode these days and with that, Google is testing various ad formats to see which formats get the highest click-through rate (unlike links in AI Mode). Here is a screenshot of what may be the Google Ads Sitelinks within AI Mode.
Google Ads To Allow Some Advertisers To Use Different Business Names
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. This is limited to certain cases, specifically three cases and it also excludes advertisers who are not the direct verified brand.
Google Helpful Content Doc With New Main Content & EOT/SA Sections
Google has updated the creating helpful, reliable, people-first content help document to primarily add two new sections. First, it added that the main content is super critical, added what is main content and then explained how Search Quality raters review content quality of the main content.
Google: Manually Factcheck & Review AI-Generated Content For Accuracy
Google has updated Google Search's "guidance on using generative AI content on your website" document to tell those who use AI-generated content to "manually factcheck and review all AI-generated content for accuracy and trustworthiness before publishing."
Turn your existing social assets into high-impact YouTube ads.
In this Ads Decoded episode, we discuss ad creative — and how it can make or break your YouTube campaigns.
ChatGPT Adds Virtually Try On Clothing & Accessories
OpenAI announced that it is rolling out virtual try-on for clothing and accessories for ChatGPT on the mobile and web interfaces. This also includes saving these to your ChatGPT Library.
Google AI Overview Lawsuit Dismissed Over No Agreement With Publishers
About a year ago, Penske, which operates and owns Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Variety, and others, sued Google over its AI Overviews. Well, that case was dismissed because Penske failed to prove that Google entered into any formal agreement with Penske to sell its content in exchange for any amount of traffic.
Phase Two Of The Google September 2026 Spam Update Hits On 9/30
Google announced the Google September 2026 spam update a week ago today on September 24th. We most likely saw the first wave of sites getting hit on September 25th, 26th and into the 27th. Then things cooled a bit but it all heated back up yesterday, September 30th. September 30th may have been the second wave, the second phase of this Google spam update.
Daily Search Forum Recap: October 1, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Google Local Service Ads Bug Serving Wrong Locations
There seems to be a bug with Google Local Service Ads showing ads from advertisers who are not targeting specific locations. With Local Service Ads, an advertiser can say they serve a specific city or location, but Google seems to be showing ads from advertisers who do not serve in those locations.
October 2026 Google Webmaster Report
Here is the big Google webmaster report for October 2026, where I recap the most important organic and webmaster-focused Google Search news for the past month. Clearly, the Google September 2026 spam update, which started off strong and is still rolling out, is the big ticker. But we also have other unconfirmed Google updates to cover.
Google AI Overviews Invade Team Rosters
Google seems to be going after team rosters with the latest Google AI Overview to overtake website content for its own AI-generated version of that content. If you search for certain team rosters, Google will generate an AI answer, an AI Overview, with the answer.
Microsoft Advertising Optimization Experiments Now Generally Available
Microsoft Advertising announced that optimization experiments is now generally available for Search, Shopping, Audience, and Performance Max campaigns. An Optimization experiment measures the impact of a campaign change through a controlled A/B test, Microsoft's help center explains.
Google Tests Dropping I'm Feeling Lucky Button From Search Bar
Google seems to be testing dropping the historic I'm feeling lucky button for the main Google Search bar. It is totally gone for some searchers when you start to type your query, and in other cases, it is supplemented with AI buttons.
Google Search Tests 3 Products In Grid That Expands To More
Google is testing showing three products in the more products grid within Google Search. In some tests, the grid can expand to show four or five or so products across or downsize to only show three.
Google Ads: Have At Least One Asset Group To Avoid Invalid Final URL Error
Google Ads updated its destination not working policy document to "provide additional examples for destination issues for advertisers," the company said. But Google also added a new line that says "Make sure your campaign has at least one asset group configured. If an asset group is missing, you may receive an "invalid final URL" error during setup even if your destination URL is working correctly."
Google AI Overviews Return For Many Large Brand Names
Google seems to be showing more and more AI Overviews these days and even for many large brand names. It don't have a ton of data but Google does seems to be showing more and AI Overviews for almost every large brand name except for Google's own name and news publications.
OpenAI ChatGPT Ads Gains Bulk Product Creation, Product Review Status & More
OpenAI just sent out an email to advertisers about new ChatGPT Ads product updates that include several new features. The new features include bulk creation for product feed campaigns, product review status, report conversions beyond your campaign goal through the API, separate account, brand, and legal names and ChatGPT Ads are live in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 30, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google is only paying about 100 publishers in the AI contribution pilot...
Google Maps Now Requires Sign In To Read All Reviews & More
Google Maps now requires you to sign in to a Google account to see all the reviews on a Google Business Profile listing. It is also required in order to sort the reviews, leave a review, and more. I assume this was done to help prevent AI, bots, and third parties from scraping the Google reviews.
Google Paying ~100 Publishers 0.1% Of Ad Revenue In AI Contribution Pilot
As you know, Google has a small pilot named the AI contribution pilot, where they are paying some publishers for using their content in AI features like AI Overviews, AI Mode and Gemini. Well, according to The Information, it is about 100 publishers and those publishers are getting about "one-tenth of 1% of their advertising revenue."
Google Tests Sponsored Products Grid That Looks Like The Organic Product Grid
Google is testing making the sponsored products search results block or grid look more like the organic products/shopping grid. Instead of showing a long carousel of products across the top or on the right, this shows a product grid format we are more accustomed to for the free product listings.
Bing Tests Product Features Labels On Product Listings
Microsoft Bing is testing adding product feature labels to product listings in the search results. This can add labels like "great for...," "effective," "performs well," "lightweight", and so on.
Bing Sponsored Ads With One-Line Consumer Review Extension
Microsoft Advertising now shows "consumer review" ad extensions in the Bing search results sponsored results section. These are one-line snippets of text, added under the sponsored result, that come a "from consumer review."
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Google Working To Restore Google Analytics
Google has confirmed there are issues with Google Analytics loading the platform. Google updated its status report to say that it has "restored for some users" and Google expects "a resolution for all users in the near future."
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 29, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google's Nick Fox was interviewed again and said the DMA changes make him sad and are terrible for searchers...
Google's Nick Fox Feels Sad & Terrible For European Searchers After DMA
Pietro Valetto interviewed Nick Fox, Senior Vice President of Knowledge & Information at Google. Nick Fox shared a snippet from the full video about the DMA changes that led Google to say it had to make the biggest reduction in search quality in its 28-year history. Fox said doing so made him feel "terrible" and "sad."
Google Local Panel With Two Rows Of Buttons On Mobile
Google is testing showing two rows of action buttons of the local panels within mobile search. Google has been testing showing a more + sign to load more or a scrollable carousel of buttons and now here it is with two rows.
Google AI Overviews Testing Citations Cards At Bottom (Not Right Side) Again
Google is testing showing citation cards at the bottom of AI Overview responses on desktop, instead of on the right side. Google tested variations of this at least twice before, once in March of 2026 and before that in September 2025.
Google Maps Bug Places Map Pins In Middle Of Ocean
A new bug with Google Business Profiles and Google Maps is placing some businesses' Google Maps pins in the middle of the ocean. This is reportedly happening for some service area businesses that do not list their address publicly on their Google local listings.
Google Business Profiles Policies Adds Misuse Of Support Channels
Google has added a new policy to the Google Business Profiles policies document. The new policy is named "Misuse of support channels."
Google Appeals Europe's DMA Mandate To Share Search History Data
Google has officially appealed to the European Union to stop the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandate requiring it to share search history data with competitors. Google said, "We're appealing decisions that will force us to share people's private search history without sufficient anonymization and weaken vital security protections on Android."
Google Globally Rolls Out Monitoring Capabilities In AI Mode
Google is now rolling out monitoring capabilities in AI Mode in Google Search globally for everyone. When Google first announced this feature, it was only available for Ultra and Pro paid subscribers, but now it is available to all Google users.
CallRail Makes ChatGPT Ads Measurable For SMBs And Marketing Agencies via @sejournal, @CallRail
CallRail's ChatGPT ads integration lets SMBs and agencies attribute calls, texts, and forms to campaigns, send conversion data to OpenAI, and compare performance across channels. The post CallRail Makes ChatGPT Ads Measurable For SMBs And Marketing Agencies appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Google Ads Adds Conversion Value Forecasts to Budget Changes
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 of projected weekly conversion value declines and suggests an increase in daily budget to achieve higher conversion goals. An alert icon appears beside the budget settings to emphasize the guidance. This update was spotted by Thomas Eccel . The post Google Ads Adds Conversion Value Forecasts to Budget Changes appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 28, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. The Google September spam update had a big impact this weekend...
Target ROAS Edits Blocked in Promotion Mode
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 current state. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee and Adriaan Dekker . The post Target ROAS Edits Blocked in Promotion Mode appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google September 2026 Spam Update Has Big WeekendÂImpact
The first stage of the Google September 2026 Spam update seems to have been felt in a big way starting Friday, September 25th, with even more movement on Saturday, September 26th and then ending on Sunday, September 27th. There is more to come, since we are only five days into the two-week rollout.
Google Web Search Service API Documentation Has Been Removed
A couple of weeks ago, Google seemed to accidentally publish its Web Search Service API documentation, then pulled it down last week. Google doesn't offer a public Web Search Service API, so we really can't access it, but I assume it does have some partners with access, like Apple.
Several Google Merchant Center Policy Documents Updated
Google has updated several Google Merchant Center policy documents late last week. The documents include Products that enable dishonest behavior, Dangerous products, Counterfeit products, Sexual content, Editorial & professional requirements, the overarching Shopping ads policies overview and probably more.
Google Tests Replacing Show More Button On AI Overviews With Loading...
Google is testing replacing the "Show more" button under the AI Overviews with a "Loading..." button. Also, earlier this year, Google tested "Enter AI Mode" for the button text but that obviously did not stick.
Google Merchant Center API Help Document Vastly Updated
Google has completely revamped the Google Merchant Center API help document page. It was previously named "API access to Merchant Center" and was renamed to "Google Merchant Center API." Plus, the content on the page has been completely rewritten and expanded.
Google Search Profiles Follow Button Removed From Desktop Search Results
Google seems to have removed the Follow button from the desktop search results page, but it is still on the mobile search results page. The follow button lets you quickly follow a Search profile for the individual or brand you searched for.
Google Tests More Sitelinks Designs
Google continues to test variations of designs and user experiences for Sitelinks within its search results. The new design spotted has the Sitelinks listed line by line, with a horizontal line across the left side of the mobile search result snippet.
Google Unveils September Demand Gen Updates
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 experience one-click access to landing pages via image ads, potentially boosting conversion rates. Affiliate Location Extensions in Google Maps allow retailers and dealerships to capture local demand through Promoted pins, enhancing visibility for nearby searchers. Read the official announcement here: Turn discovery into action with September’s Demand Gen Drop . The post Google Unveils September Demand Gen Updates appeared on PPC News Feed .
Native Checkout Enabled by Default in Merchant Center
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 for direct purchase on Google Search and Gemini without additional setup. The rollout significantly expands the reach of UCP-powered checkout, initially launched in February. This update was shared by Menachem Ani and Barry Schwartz . The post Native Checkout Enabled by Default in Merchant Center appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google's 28th Birthday Doodle Takes You To Google AI Mode Quiz
Today is Google's 28th birthday and Google has a special Google Doodle to celebrate. The Doodle takes you back in time to an early Google logo. Plus, when you click on the Doodle, you are taken into AI Mode where you can take "a fun trivia quiz about Google's company lore, historical quirks, and birthday traditions."
Update to Legal Requirements Policy
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 ensure adherence to regulations, apart from following Google Ads' standard policies. The updated list of self-regulatory codes highlights Google's expectation for advertisers to be proactive in understanding and complying with local advertising standards. Read the official announcement here: Update to Legal Requirements Policy . The post Update to Legal Requirements Policy appeared on PPC News Feed .
LSA Now Lets Users Message Up to 6 Businesses
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 Anthony Higman . The post LSA Now Lets Users Message Up to 6 Businesses appeared on PPC News Feed .
AI Max Expands With New Reporting and Language Options
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 Search ads performance. This includes detailed insights into triggered search terms, seen creative assets, and user landing pages, enhancing the understanding of AI-driven performance. Read the official announcement here: We’re bringing AI Brief to more languages and adding a new AI Max reporting feature. . The post AI Max Expands With New Reporting and Language Options appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Sets January 12, 2027 End Date for MaxCpc in the API
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 deadline. Dormant usage will not be grandfathered, so simply having used MaxCpc previously will not preserve access. The change applies to both individual campaigns and portfolio bid strategies. Advertisers should audit any integrations that depend on MaxCpc and prepare to update their bidding workflows before January 12 . Read the official help page here: BiddingScheme Data Object . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Sets January 12, 2027 End Date for MaxCpc in the API appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google to Pilot Gun Accessories Ads in US
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 prohibition of ads for firearms, ammunition, and regulated parts. These accessory ads will be available only on Search and solely within the United States. Advertisers can manage their ad preferences through My Ad Center if they wish to opt-out. Read the official help page here: Updates to Google’s Dangerous Products & Services Policy . The post Google to Pilot Gun Accessories Ads in US appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Opens Max CPC to Portfolio Bid Strategies
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 Enhanced CPC or Target impression share strategies, but this limitation no longer applies. Now, advertisers have more flexibility before the impending October 1, 2026 sunset of max CPC for new non-portfolio campaigns. Read the official help page here: Let Microsoft Advertising manage your bids with bid strategies . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Opens Max CPC to Portfolio Bid Strategies appeared on PPC News Feed .
Demand Gen FAQ Moves Display Inventory to CPM
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 Platform row. The update consolidates the billing under a single entry for Google Display Ads (GDN): CPM . Alongside this change, a previous note regarding the anticipated update timeline to 2024 has been removed. Read the official help page here: Demand Gen Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Demand Gen FAQ Moves Display Inventory to CPM appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Company Lists and Job Seniority Exit Beta
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 campaigns. The Audience planner help page now includes two new targeting dimensions: "Company List: Companies from bulk-uploaded lists" and "Job seniority: Seniority levels according to their LinkedIn profiles." The limit remains at up to 10,000 companies per list, with ad groups able to target a maximum of 1,000 companies . The removal of the "not everyone has this feature yet" note from the Audience campaign creation page confirms the full rollout. Additionally, the separate walkthrough for associating company lists has been dropped, streamlining the existing instructions under "Add or adjust targets in your settings." Read the official announcement here: Forecast campaign results with t…
Microsoft Excluded Content Terms Now Available to Everyone
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 campaigns in the account. Previously, the Excluded content terms feature was not widely available. A banner on the Brand safety help page indicated its limited availability, which has now been removed, confirming wider access. Read the official help page here: About content suitability . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Excluded Content Terms Now Available to Everyone appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google CSS Product Pages Get Rating and Review Count Attributes
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 submitted are normalized to a 1-5 scale by Google, enhancing the potential for customized ranking signals in free listings. The Rating [rating] attribute is optional and indicates the average product rating on CSS product pages. It requires minRating , maxRating , and reviewCount attributes, with the rating value needing to fall between the min and max. The Review count [reviewCount] attribute shows the number of reviews a product has received and is mandatory when using the rating attribute. It must be a positive integer, providing additional ranking signals for free listings. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and customizable product data for Google surfaces, impacting how…
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 25, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google has released a new algorithm update, not a core update, but a spam update and this spam update will take two weeks...
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google September 2026 Spam Update Is Here, Goodbye Discover Traffic, Multimodal Search Reporting & CrUX Ad Metrics In Page Experience
This week, Google announced yet another spam update, the fourth of the year, the September 2026 Google spam update. Prior to that, we reported on more Google Search ranking volatility. Google Search Console released multimodal search filters...
Google Tests URL Breadcrumbs for Sitelinks in Ads
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 Sachin Patel . The post Google Tests URL Breadcrumbs for Sitelinks in Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
OpenAI Has Quality Raters, AI Trainers, & They Cheated With AI
As you know, Google has thousands of quality raters they use to help test and improve the search results and AI results. OpenAI does the same thing, with AI trainers according to a report by 404 Media.
Google LSAs Showing Google Business Profile Number, Not Google Ads Number
Google seems to have made a change in which phone number they use for tracking calls, even when you tell Google to use the Google Ads number, it is still using the Google Business Profiles phone number. I am told this is a confirmed change and Google still has not changed it back, and it is unclear if Google will change it back.
Bing Testing Editable Labels On Images
Microsoft Bing is testing adding an editable icon in two formats on images within Bing Search that can be edited using Bing's AI image feature.
Google Ads Disables Editing Target ROAS While Promotion Mode Is Active
Did you know that you cannot edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active in Google Ads? Google will display a notification that reads, "You can't edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active" and then gives you the option to edit the ROAS tolerance instead.
Google Posts Cracks Down On Unverified Contact Information
Google updated two of its Google Posts help documents to allow phone numbers in Google Posts only if they are verified contact information, but if it is unverified, it is not allowed.
Bing Tests Replacing Copilot With AI Mode In Search Tabs
Microsoft is testing replacing or renaming the Copilot search tab in Bing Search with the name AI Mode. AI Mode is the name Google uses for its AI search engine, Bing uses Copilot Search, but Microsoft is testing using Google's name here.
Favicons Spotted in Bing Shopping Ad Results
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 recognition directly within the search results page, influencing user interaction and click-through rates. The exact scope and duration of this test remain unconfirmed. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Favicons Spotted in Bing Shopping Ad Results appeared on PPC News Feed .
AI Mode Now Displays Sponsored and Organic Products
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 layout and visibility of items in Google Shopping results. The feature also includes a conversational AI assistant to guide users in refining their queries, based on the activity and preferences they indicate. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post AI Mode Now Displays Sponsored and Organic Products appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google September 2026 Spam Update Has Been Unleashed
Google has just announced the release of the September 2026 spam update and said it should take a couple of weeks to roll out. This is a global update and is expected to impact all languages. This only impacts sites that spam, but with any update...
Turn discovery into action with September’s Demand Gen Drop.
Turn discovery into action with new seamless experiences and integrations from YouTube’s September Demand Gen Drop.
Google Video Schema Gets Creator Property & Updated interactionStatistic
Google has updated its video structured data documentation to support creator property and it has updated the interactionStatistic in VideoObject structured data. Google said these updates are to "to document support for the creator and author properties, and clarify supported interaction types for interactionStatistic in VideoObject structured data."
Update to Gambling and Games Policy for Slovenia
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 Ministry of Finance. Advertisers must apply for certification to adhere to these updated regulations. The policy specifically outlines products such as lotteries, sports betting, and online casino games as allowable under the new guidelines. You can read the official announcement here: Update to Gambling and Games Policy: Slovenia . The post Update to Gambling and Games Policy for Slovenia appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 24, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Microsoft Ads API Adds Search Term Landing Page Report and PMax Device Exclusions
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 device exclusions in Performance Max campaigns, enabling advertisers to select specific devices to exclude, such as Computers, Smartphones, and Tablets. The update also brings support for LinkedIn segment targeting. Read the official announcement here: Bing Ads API Release Notes - Microsoft Advertising API . The post Microsoft Ads API Adds Search Term Landing Page Report and PMax Device Exclusions appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Search Ranking Volatility Hits September 23rd & 24th
We are seeing significant volatility again within the Google Search rankings again, this time starting around September 23rd (maybe the 22nd) and throughout today. As we have been seeing, the chatter is generally slowing down as Google has been sending less and less traffic to sites, but I believe there are enough signals to say there was some sort of unconfirmed Google Search ranking update.
Google Business Profiles Tests Set Your Hours Automatically
Google Business Profiles is testing a new feature to let it set your business hours for you automatically by just asking you to describe your business hours in text. Google will then use AI to interpret them and make them into a structured format to list on your local panel in Google Search and Google Maps.
Google Ads Budget Recommendation Change With Forecast
Google Ads is showing some advertisers not just a recommendation with the ability to make a change on that recommendation but it is tied to the advertiser's forecast. It shows your projected weekly conversion value and adds that your campaign is limited by budget, and that you should spend more to hit the forecast.
Bing Tests Another Expandable Sitelinks Interface
We've seen Microsoft test variations of expanding sitelinks within the Bing search results before. But here is a different variation on that, one that expands and shows descriptions under the sitelinks after you hover your mouse cursor over the specific sitelink.
Google Tests Local Service Ads With Larger Image & Highlight Box
Google is testing a redesigned Local Service Ads design in the search results that have larger images and a highlight box under the listings. It makes the ads really stand out and in your face.
Google Tests AI Overviews On Hotel On Side Panel
Google is testing moving the AI Overviews from the top of the page to the bottom-right location for hotel searches. So when you bring up a hotel knowledge panel, you may see an AI Overview at the bottom of the page.
Multimodal Search Type Filter In Google Search Console Performance Report
Google is rolling out a new Search Console performance report filter for the web results named Multimodal. Some may see it now, when you select the Search type filter in the performance report, under the "Web" option it now shows "Text-based" and "Multimodal."
Google Ads Investment Strategy New Holistic & Growth Modes
Google Ads updated its Recommended Investment Strategy tab on the Recommendations page with Strategic budget allocation using Holistic and Growth modes. Holistic mode reallocates spend from underperforming campaigns to top performers for maximum efficiency, while Growth mode adds fresh budget to top performers without cutting spend anywhere else.
Microsoft’s Optimization Experiments Now Available for Shopping, Audience and Performance Max
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 lasting 4 to 8 weeks , allocate traffic using a confidence level selector with options for 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95% confidence, and see scaled treatment metrics for non-50/50 splits. However, campaigns with shared or lifetime budgets, or those with Dynamic Search Ads, are not eligible. Advertisers can begin the experiment creation by navigating to Campaigns > Experiments > Create, selecting Optimization, and then choosing the campaign type. Read the official announcement here spotted by Hana Kobzová : Create and manage an Optimization experiment . The post Microsoft’s Optimization Experiments Now Available for Shopping, Audience and Performance Max appeared on PPC News Feed .
Customer Match Adds IP Address and Timestamp Matching
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 timestamp matching is not available for end users located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland , requiring advertisers to exclude these regions from IP sharing and ensure proper data collection disclosures and consent. This update involves changes to the Customer Match data file format, now needing eight columns, including the newly added 'User IP address' and 'User Interaction timestamp'. Additionally, multiple help pages now describe customer data as "collected" rather than "shared". Read the official help page: Create a Customer Match list by uploading a data file . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Customer Match Adds IP Address and Timestamp Matching appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API Version 25.2 Now Available
Google has released version 25.2 of the Google Ads API, this is a minor release with several of updates. This update includes competitive benchmarks percentile metrics, the ability to generate Performance Max drafts from Smart campaigns, asset group URL options, Search bid adjustment recommendations, and more.
Announcing v25.2 of the Google Ads API
Today we are announcing the release of v25.2 of the Google Ads API. To use the new capabilities, you must upgrade your client libraries and client code. All the updated client libraries and code examples have been published. Come join us for a live walkthrough of this release in our Google Ads API Release Highlights event on Discord or our Ads Developers YouTube Live tomorrow (September 24th at 10am ET). This will also be recorded and posted on YouTube for those who can’t make the live events. If you have any questions or want to discuss this post, reach out to us in the #ads-api channel on Discord. New Features Here are the highlights of what’s new in v25.2: Competitive benchmarks percentile metrics : BenchmarksService.GenerateBenchmarksMetrics now surfaces metrics representing your competitive standing among other advertisers in percentile tier format using PercentileMetrics and BenchmarksCustomerPercentileTier . You can request this data by adding PERCENTILE_DATA to supplemental_da…
Demand Gen Turns On VTC Optimization by Default
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 launching new Demand Gen campaigns inherit this optimizer setting without having to manually toggle it on, affecting how campaigns might initially perform. Notably, VTC conversions remain partially biddable and do not appear in the main conversions column. VTC optimization still applies only to video assets across YouTube, Display, and Discover Feed . It remains in an open beta phase, available to all interested advertisers. Read the official help page here: About view-through conversion optimized bidding for Demand Gen campaigns . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Demand Gen Turns On VTC Optimization by Default appeared on PPC News Feed .
“Automated Promotions” Live in Google Ads
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 particularly benefit eCommerce advertisers running frequent promotions. This update was shared by Vivek Gupta . The post “Automated Promotions” Live in Google Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 23, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
CMA: Google Should Make It Easier To Choose Other Search Engine On Android & Chrome
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed new measures to force Google to make it easier for users of Google's Android and Chrome to use an alternative search engine or AI platform. This is "designed to give millions of Google Android and Google Chrome customers in the UK greater choice and more control over the search services they use," the CMA wrote.
Test Google Ads AI Max Against Dynamic Search Ads
Google Ads added new help documentation on how to test AI Max against Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs) by using experiments. Google posted two options within Google Ads experiments including (1) custom experiments and (2) the experiment template.
Bing Tests Favicons On Shopping Ads Carousel
Microsoft is testing placing favicons on the Bing shopping ads, product results, carousel. Normally, this ad unit just shows the site name but Bing is testing adding favicons in front of the site name.
Google Hreflang Examples To Uppercase Codes - But It Doesn't Matter
Google has updated the localized versions of your page help document to change all the hreflang examples from lowercase codes to uppercase codes. It doesn't matter because the hreflang value is case-insensitive; Google accepts lowercase and uppercase codes.
Google Business Profiles Gives You Four Days To Reject User Edits
Google updated its help document to clarify that you have four days to reject a user suggested edit to your Google Business Profile. If you do not reject the edit within four days, Google may apply that edit to your Google local listing.
Google AI Overviews With Way More External Links; Report
New data shows that Google is showing far more external links in its AI Overviews than before. A jump from close to 0% of AI Overviews containing external links to over 25% of AI Overviews containing external links.
Google AdSense Drops Identity Verification Threshold To $0
Google AdSense has lowered the identity verification threshold from $10 to $0, according to an update to the help documentation.
Google Ads New AI Max Reporting & AI Brief Expands To More Countries
Google Ads is expanding access to AI Briefs and also added new AI Max reporting. Google said AI Brief audience targeting works now in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Plus, there is a new AI Max reporting feature for looking at the Search Ads journey.
We’re bringing AI Brief to more languages and adding a new AI Max reporting feature.
We’re making it easier to create great AI Max campaigns by adding a new reporting feature and bringing AI Brief to more languages.
Microsoft Competition Tab Adds Search/Shopping Filter for Performance Max
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 it provides a distinct view of performance across Search and Shopping ads , allowing advertisers to strategically analyze and optimize their campaigns based on more granular data insights. Prior to this update, such specific differentiation wasn't available through Microsoft Advertising's utility. Read the official help page here: About the Competition tab This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Competition Tab Adds Search/Shopping Filter for Performance Max appeared on PPC News Feed .
Recommended Investment Strategy Adds Holistic and Growth Modes in Google Ads
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 performers while adding additional weekly spend. In contrast, Growth mode strictly adds budget to constrained campaigns, maintaining existing budgets. Advertisers can input either an additional weekly spend amount or a targeted weekly increase in conversions. It offers a 7-day performance forecast via an interactive graph, which helps visualize impacts before applying changes. A new interface displays suggested Target CPA or Target ROAS adjustments and filters options by conversion action, campaign type, and location. The Update ensures instant campaign modifications with the Apply all option. Campaigns are eligible if at least one is budget-constrained or shows potential for higher conversions a…
Google Page Experience Docs Adds CrUX Ad Metrics
Google has updated the understanding page experience in Google Search results help document to add the new CrUX ad metrics which launched last week. To be clear, Google did not say this is a specific ranking signal for search, the CrUX ad metrics line was added to the "Page experience resources" section of the document.
AI Max UI Update Adds Branded Search Control
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. This update was shared by Bia Camargo . The post AI Max UI Update Adds Branded Search Control appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Merchant Center Auto Enables Native Checkout: Buy On AI Mode & Gemini
Google is sending email notifications to Google Merchant Center users if their e-commerce platform supports Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and if so, telling them that "your products are now eligible for native checkout." This means that your eligible products are automatically included, so if you don't want people buying directly on Google, and you want them to buy on your site, then you need to turn it off.
Customer Lifecycle Goals: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Decide whether Google Ads Customer Lifecycle Goals fit your business, and avoid settings that inflate ROAS or exclude valuable prospects. The post Customer Lifecycle Goals: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 22, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Microsoft Simplifies US Social Casino Ad Rules to Three Excluded States
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 now required to show disclaimers about play money, non-cashout options, and age limitations, omitting the previous licensing requirements by the German Advertising Directive. Read the official announcement here: Gambling and games . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Simplifies US Social Casino Ad Rules to Three Excluded States appeared on PPC News Feed .
Gemini Notebook Pages Spamming Google Search
It looks like spammers are taking advantage of Gemini Notebook, public NotebookLM, pages to spam Google with all sorts of content. This includes pages on sex toys, porn, peptides, coupon codes and more.
Google AI Overview Links Pushing You To AI Mode Over Web Pages
Google is placing links, normal looking links, within the AI Overviews that take you into AI Mode instead of taking you to web pages and web sites. These links appear at the bottom of the AI Overview and prompt follow-up questions that take you into AI Mode.
Google Merchant Center Updates Requirements For Google Store Ratings
Google added a new section to the Google Store ratings: An overview for Merchants within Google Merchant Center detailing the requirements for Google Store ratings. This was added a week or so ago, and it says you need at least 100 reviews, an average star rating of 3.5 to 5, a 24-hour timeframe and the ratings are geo-segmented.
Google Business Profiles Permanently Closed Option Gone?
In Google Business Profiles, businesses can go in and mark their business as "Permanently closed." But it seems that option went missing a few days ago. I no longer see it as an option, along with the option to select "temporarily closed" and some others.
Google Business Profiles Email: Detected A Spike In Spam Reviews
Google is now sending out Google Business Profile email notifications when its spam systems detect a spike in spam reviews on your Business Profile. The email says, "Protecting your Business Profile from spam reviews," and adds, "Google has detected a spike in spam reviews on your Business Profile and removed them so they do not affect your Google rating."
Google Sponsored Results Sitelinks Tests More From Advertiser Name Title
Google Search is testing placing a title above the sitelinks for the sponsored results, the title says "more from [advertiser name goes here]." I think it makes it super clear where these sponsored links go to, but it may be a bit overkill.
Google Ads To Run Gun Accessory 6-Month Pilot
Google Ads will allow some gun accessory ads to run in the United States starting in October 2026 for six months. The "limited pilot" of gun accessories includes bipods, sights, slings, mounts, and braces.
Google Updates Bid Strategy Learning Period to Around 50 Conversions
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-volume accounts. Additionally, Performance Max campaigns are now included in the conversion goals best practices documentation. These changes affect how advertisers manage and optimize their campaigns using Smart Bidding strategies. Read the official help pages here: Duration of the learning period for campaigns and what affects it Changing conversion goals and actions used for Smart Bidding This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Google Updates Bid Strategy Learning Period to Around 50 Conversions appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ask Advisor Can Pause Campaigns, Change Budgets and Appeal Ads
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 enhancements include the ability to save business context , such as remembering preferences for ROAS metrics, and providing market insights like performance against peers and seasonal trends. Other improvements include updated 'Use cases' previously labeled as 'Activities', and troubleshooting prompts such as: 'Please appeal the disapproved ads' and 'Please update my final URL'. The update also supports identity verification processes and handling promo code issues. However, the functionality remains in beta and is unavailable in MCC accounts. Advertisers can access Ask Advisor directly from a dedicated icon or by typing queries into the main Google Ads search bar. Read the official help page:…
Offline Uploads Can Now Fill Missing User Data in Tag Conversions
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 in the help page , reveals that offline uploads supplement missing user-provided data, optimizing enhanced conversion matching when the tag records the conversion without complete user information. Among the key updates, real-time conversion values can be adjusted with accurate financial updates from CRMs, such as restatements or finalized cart totals. Advertisers must ensure offline data is uploaded within 24 hours for optimal performance. Notably, GCLID and other fields remain ignored for matched transactions, and value updates are disabled during a 14-day trial. The new help page section, 'Boost your tag with additional data sources (beta),' includes detailed use cases for enhancing measurement accuracy and adjusting conversion values. Read the official help page spotted by Hana Kob…
Merchant Center Drops Impressum Requirement for Local Listings in DACH
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 on Google's help page, reflecting an update that simplifies the process for merchants in these two countries. Previously, an impressum was required for Austrian, German, and Swiss merchants (DACH region) to use local listings and inventory ads. Read the official help page here: Add your impressum (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland only) . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Merchant Center Drops Impressum Requirement for Local Listings in DACH appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Advertising Tests Copilot Audience Generation for Audience Campaigns
Microsoft Advertising is testing Copilot Audience Generation , a new feature available in a 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 recommended segments. Among the key elements, the new help page outlines a workflow that involves entering the desired audience description in the 'Who's Your Target Audience?' section, reviewing AI-generated and recommended segments, refining the audience as needed, and saving the selections. The Copilot uses Microsoft's audience intelligence and privacy-safe first-party signals. Advertisers should note the limitations: no exclusions, no LinkedIn audiences, reports-only visibility, no cross-account sharing, and a potential delay of up to 72 hours before audience activation. The feature is specific to Audience campaigns , with other campaigns unsupported. Read the official help page here:…
Search Terms View Renamed to Search Terms and Ad Combinations
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. This renamed view continues to list search terms alongside headlines, landing pages, campaigns, and ad groups involved in the ad journey. It's crucial for those documenting AI Max reporting to update their resources with this change. Read the official help page here: About reporting in AI Max for Search campaigns . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Search Terms View Renamed to Search Terms and Ad Combinations appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Tests “Top Pick” Label on Sponsored Products
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 by Khushal Bherwani . The post Bing Tests “Top Pick” Label on Sponsored Products appeared on PPC News Feed .
Programming Note: Offline Monday For Yom Kippur 5787
This is a programming note: I will be 100% offline from Sunday night (September 20th) through Monday night (September 21st) for Yom Kippur. I am not scheduling any stories tomorrow, Monday, Yom Kippur; nothing will be posted.
Google Web Guide Classic Search Button Doesn't Take You To Classic Search
Google Search has this beta opt-in feature named Web Guide, it is like a mix of its AI search results interface and web search interface - in one. That being said, there seems to be a bug where, when you click the button that says "Classic search," it does not take you out of Web Guide and into classic search.
“More From Advertiser” Title Tested for Sitelinks
Google is testing a new sitelink headline showing advertiser's icon with "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 .
Google Search Console Crawl Stats Missing A Day Of Data: September 15th
The crawl stats report is missing a day of data again, this time, the missing data is from September 15th (it might be a day later for some of you on different time zones). That being said, this has happened numerous times before and Google tends to always restore the data.
AI Mode Tests Text Anchor Ads With Descriptions
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 by Sachin Patel and Barry Schwartz . The post AI Mode Tests Text Anchor Ads With Descriptions appeared on PPC News Feed .
Agentic Commerce Updates for Holiday Shopping
Google has introduced several updates to enhance holiday shopping through agentic commerce. These updates are designed to assist retailers in capturing the attention of holiday shoppers using advanced AI tools. Among the key updates, AI performance insights in Merchant Center are now generally available to businesses in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the U.S. This feature provides valuable data on brand discoverability across different AI surfaces. Furthermore, the Business Agent beta for YouTube ads is now open to select retailers in the U.S., allowing for interactive and informative customer experiences directly within YouTube ads. This enables businesses to offer customized guidance to potential buyers without them leaving YouTube. Additionally, the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) integration hub has been updated to streamline the checkout process for brands on Google platforms, with capabilities like cart transfer and enhanced checkout flow testing being rolled out g…
“Descriptions for Ads” Spotted in Google AI Mode
Google's AI Mode now displays descriptions for ads at the bottom of the page. Previously, users only saw ads with sitelinks in this mode. This new feature likely enhances user experience by providing additional context before clicking. This update allows potential customers to read about the site before engaging with the advertisement, potentially increasing ad effectiveness. This new test was noticed by an observer utilizing AI Mode for searches. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post “Descriptions for Ads” Spotted in Google AI Mode appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Tests Shopping Filters in Left Sidebar
Bing is testing new product shopping filters on the left sidebar of the search results. This change makes the Bing search results page resemble Google's interface, specifically when users search for product or shopping-related queries. This update was shared by Sachin Patel and Barry Schwartz . The post Bing Tests Shopping Filters in Left Sidebar appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Tests New CAPTCHA Before Search Results
Bing is testing a new human verification method that requires users to complete a CAPTCHA challenge before accessing search results. This is designed to ensure that users interacting with the search engine are indeed human. The test involves a prompt that appears as "One last step" with instructions to solve a challenge and check a box labeled "Verify you are human." It seems that both Google and Microsoft are dealing with high traffic from AI bots, as Google introduces a similar check in August 2026 . This update was spotted by Sachin Patel on X. The post Bing Tests New CAPTCHA Before Search Results appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Tests ‘Sponsored Places’ as Vertical Cards
Google is testing a new Sponsored Places section design in its search results, showing businesses in vertical cards , offering expanded visibility for local businesses when users hover over the listings. In February, the same section was beeing tested as horizontal cards . This update was shared by Khushal Bherwani and Barry Schwartz . The post Google Tests ‘Sponsored Places’ as Vertical Cards appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Discover Tests Dive Deeper Feature
Google is testing a new feature in Google Discover named "Dive deeper." When you click on it, it does not take you to a publisher's article, instead, it takes you to an AI-generated short topic overview with links to some other articles (which do take you to the publisher) and community reaction.
Google Ads Redesigns Conversion Action Details
Google Ads is rolling out a redesigned Details view for individual conversion actions . The information appears to remain largely the same, but it is now presented in a cleaner and more visually structured layout. The top section highlights the conversion action status, last recorded conversion, and Enhanced Conversions status. Settings are displayed below, while tabs for Settings, Diagnostics, and Webpages remain easily accessible. This follows the broader redesign of the Conversion Goals interface spotted in July , suggesting Google is continuing to refresh the conversion management experience. This update was spotted by Vojtěch Audy . The post Google Ads Redesigns Conversion Action Details appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 18, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Unusual Google Search Ranking Volatility, Ad Tech Monopoly Remedies, AI Contribution Publisher Payouts & More
This week we covered the first week or so of Google's unusual ranking volatility only to see things spike up in a big way this week as well - something is up. Google's remedies are out for its ad tech monopoly ruling. Google has an AI contribution pilot for paying publishers...
Build campaigns that drive high-converting, sales-ready leads.
In this Ads Decoded episode, we break down data strength: What is it? How can you build it? And why do lead gen campaigns need it?
Google Shows AI Label on YouTube Shorts Ads
Google appears to be testing an AI label on ads shown within YouTube Shorts . The label is displayed as a small AI icon next to the sponsored ad information, giving viewers an additional indicator that AI may have been used in the ad. This update was spotted by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Shows AI Label on YouTube Shorts Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google May Be More Successful In Blocking Scrapers & Tracking Tools
Google may be more successful in blocking AI scrapers, search scrapers and third-party tracking tools since around September 13th or so. This coincides with the September 4th and September 12th reversals we reported, and it also aligns with the methods Google has been using to block non-human behavior in its search results recently.
Google Search Bar Results Page Testing AI Mode Button
Google is now testing adding the AI Mode button to the search bar when you are inside the search results page. Google has the AI Mode button almost everywhere else, but now we are seeing it added to the search bar, within the search results page, not just the home page.
Bing Also Asking To Verify You Are Human Before Showing Search Results
Microsoft Bing is also asking some searchers to verify they are human before showing them search results. Google is doing this a lot, in various forms, and now Bing was spotted doing this.
Google Ads Commerce Audience Sharing Help Document
Google has posted a new help document in the Google Ads help area named About commerce audience sharing through Google Ads. It explains that "Commerce audience sharing allows commerce partners, such as retailers or marketplaces, to share first-party data segments with their advertising partners, such as brands or sellers."
Google Merchant Center API Now Supports Product Reviews
Google updated the upload a product reviews data source to Merchant Center help document to now say that you can do this via the Merchant Center API. Previously, the document said, "API isn't currently supported for product reviews data sources." Now it says, "Add product reviews using API."
Google Now Requires You Label Adult Products In Ecommerce Feeds
Google has updated its guidelines for sites with explicit content to now specify that ecommerce sites must "label adult products in ecommerce feeds or markup." There is also a new section at the bottom of the help document titled, "For Google Shopping features."
Google Search Drops Free Product Listings From European Economic Area
Google Search has dropped the free product listings and carousel formats from the European Economic Area (EEA). This change is part of what the European Commission forced Google to do in these regions under the Digital Markets Act.
Google Supports Local Business Queries In Aggregator & Supplier Search Units
Google has added local business query support to the aggregator and supplier units within Google Search. Google updated both the aggregator unit and supplier unit documentation to add "and local businesses" sprinkled throughout those documents.
Store Ratings Requirements Updated: 100 Reviews, 3.5 Stars, 24 Months
Google has updated its store ratings overview for merchants, detailing specific eligibility requirements that include having around 100 eligible reviews. Advertisers must maintain a star rating of at least 3.5 stars out of 5 for these ratings to appear on paid text and Shopping ads . The requirements specify that reviews must be from the past 24 months to ensure ratings reflect current service quality. Ratings are calculated separately per country, with reviews counting only within their origin country. Read the official help page here: Google store ratings: An overview for Merchants . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Store Ratings Requirements Updated: 100 Reviews, 3.5 Stars, 24 Months appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Tests View Counts in Shopping Tab Results
Bing is experimenting with displaying view counts for products in its Shopping tab results. This test aims to provide additional insights to users searching for products and help them identify popular options. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Bing Tests View Counts in Shopping Tab Results appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Introduces Spend Benchmarks Report
Google Ads is now offering a new Spend Benchmarks report that allows advertisers to compare their account data against similar businesses. It offers insights based on industry and advertising regions. This feature is visible in the account Overview section. The report provides metrics such as weekly spend and clicks received, demonstrating how an account's performance stacks up against its peers. This update was discovered by Thomas Eccel . The post Google Ads Introduces Spend Benchmarks Report appeared on PPC News Feed .
Wix Cookie Banner Setup With Usercentrics in 6 Steps
If you run ads for a Wix site and went looking for Cookiebot , you already hit the first surprise: on Wix you don't install Cookiebot for Wix anymore . It was the case in the past, but now you install Usercentrics for Wix , a separate app built by the same company . Usercentrics states plainly that the two are different products with separate pricing. That is not a licensing quirk. It comes down to how Wix serves your site, and it decides whether your tags actually respect consent or only look like they do. This guide covers why a generic CMP script falls short on Wix, how to install and configure the Usercentrics app, how to connect Google Tag Manager , and how to get Consent Mode v2 signals flowing so your Google Ads campaigns keep their conversion data. 💡 Not sure a banner is even required for your site? Find out whether you need a cookie consent banner and what triggers the obligation. Why you can't just drop any CMP on a Wix site A classic script-based CMP works like this: it loa…
Microsoft Advertising Integrates with HubSpot for Enhanced CRM
Microsoft Advertising has announced 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 within HubSpot. The integration offers several possibilities for HubSpot users: Connect multiple Microsoft Advertising accounts and automatically track ad clicks and conversions Add Microsoft UET to HubSpot to track website activity and measure ads Turn HubSpot contact lists into Microsoft Advertising audiences and keep targeting aligned with lifecycle stages Exclude existing customers from campaigns to help save budget Automatically sync Microsoft Advertising leads into HubSpot for nurturing Assign lifecycle stages and values to leads and customers Trigger immediate follow ups such as sales assignments, welcome emails, and nurture sequences Analyze campaign performance in HubSpot and connect ads with contacts, opportunities, pipelines, and revenue Micros…
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 17, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Merchant Center Explains How to Update Product Videos Faster
Google Merchant Center has updated its guidelines to help advertisers replace product videos more efficiently. The help page now emphasizes that using a new unique URL for video updates prompts a quicker recrawl, typically within 24-72 hours . In contrast, keeping the same URL could delay updates by up to six weeks . Additionally, a new section on Shopping policy compliance has been added, enforcing that all video assets must adhere to Google's advertising and content guidelines. Products with updated URLs will be listed as " Under Review " until processed, while older video content continues to serve during this period. Read the official help page found by Hana Kobzová : Video link [video_link] - Google Merchant Center Help . The post Merchant Center Explains How to Update Product Videos Faster appeared on PPC News Feed .
What Ever Happened To Google Discover On Desktop
Last year, Google began to roll out Google Discover on the desktop interface of Google.com. But now, for the past several months, Discover on desktop is not been found. Google tested Discover on Desktop in 2023 and then, in 2025, said it was coming; it even started to roll it out, but again, it didn't last - Discover on Google.com desktop just does not exist.
Google Ad Tech Monopoly Remedies: Behavioral Changes With Oversight
Earlier this month, we learned a judge ruled that Google won't be broken up over its monopoly ruling in its ad tech case. And now we have the full memo with the judge's proposed remedies, including Google making behavioral changes.
Google Local Knowledge Panel As An AI Overview
Google is turning the local knowledge panels, your Google Business Profile, into an AI Overview listing. At the top of the local listing it says "AI Overview" and then there is a "Show more" button to expand, which brings you into the follow up AI Mode style chat interface.
Bing Product Carousels With Top Picks, Sale, Price Drop, Views & More Labels
Microsoft is testing adding new labels to the Bing Search product carousels. Labels include Top Picks, Price Drop, Sale and likely other labels on the Bing Search product listings, within the carousels.
Google Sponsored Places That Expand On Hover
Google is testing the Sponsored Places ads that expand when you hover over the ads within Google Search. Google has been testing expandable ads on hover for a while, but here is one with the Sponsored Places ads.
Video Dubbing Tool Available in Asset Studio
A new feature, Video Ads Dubbing , has been introduced in Google Ads' Asset Studio . This AI-powered tool enables the dubbing of video ads in 33 languages and locales . First spotted in October 2025 as internal feature, now it's available for free to select users . It allows advertisers to scale their video content across multiple countries without having to reshoot videos in each language. This update was shared by Jyll Saskin Gales . The post Video Dubbing Tool Available in Asset Studio appeared on PPC News Feed .
Performance Max Adds “Google Business Profile” Landing Option
Google Ads' Performance Max campaigns now feature two distinct landing page options : "Your website" "Google Business Profile (optimized for ads)" Advertisers can direct clicks to a Google-hosted page linked to their business profile, which includes built-in conversion tracking methods. This option is particularly beneficial for small local businesses without a robust website, as it enables quicker campaign launches focused on local actions like calls and directions. However, it may limit control over the user experience, content testing, and lead tracking compared to traditional landing pages. This update was spotted by Natasha Kaurra . The post Performance Max Adds “Google Business Profile” Landing Option appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Adds Invalid Leads Prevention Guide
Google has introduced a new guide for lead generation advertisers aimed at preventing invalid leads . This help page details how Google's invalid traffic filters are insufficient for stopping fake or low-quality leads and emphasizes that maintaining high lead quality is a shared responsibility. Among the preventive measures listed, advertisers are encouraged to integrate reCAPTCHA on web forms, set up double opt-in procedures, and employ server-side validation for emails and phone numbers. Additionally, advertisers should focus on lead-specific goals and utilize first-party data to maintain lead quality. Supporting changes to the 'About invalid traffic' page clarify that any invalid traffic detected before the month-end billing is excluded from charges, preventing the need for refunds. If detected post-billing, credits are issued as adjustments in future invoices. Read the official help page here: Prevent invalid leads . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Google Adds I…
Google Search Profile Badge - How To Add It To Your Site
Google left one thing out of the announcement around the new Search profiles features announced today, you can now add a Search profile badge to your website. This allows users/searchers to follow you directly from your website.
Rethink your strategy to drive sales this holiday season.
In this Ads Decoded episode, we share steps you can take now to drive sales and reach customers during the holiday season.
Google Search Profiles Article Design, Less Followers & Easier Login
Google has updated the Search profiles with a new article design, a single login to manage multiple Search profiles and only 10,000 followers on social platforms are required.
OpenAI Testing Sponsored Agents For ChatGPT Ads
OpenAI is testing a new ad format in ChatGPT named Sponsored Agents. Sponsored Agents "let people start a conversation with a business-sponsored agent after clicking an ad in ChatGPT," OpenAI wrote.
Google Ads Sponsored Results Showing Label Misalignment Bug
A formatting bug in Google Ads seems to cause the "Sponsored results" headline to occasionally appear misaligned in search results. This issue is evident across various browsers and searches, where the heading isn't consistently left-aligned. Here's another screenshot of this issue where it's more pronounced: This update was shared by Sachin Patel and Barry Schwartz . The post Google Ads Sponsored Results Showing Label Misalignment Bug appeared on PPC News Feed .
Rethink 2026
At Rethink 2026, we’re helping marketers prepare for the holiday season with new ways to connect with customers and boost ROI.
Boost your holiday sales with these agentic commerce updates
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Daily Search Forum Recap: September 16, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google said Search Console position reporting may change as Search, AI Mode, AI Overviews...
Google Merchant Center AI Reports Live, Easier UCP & UCP Analytics
Google has announced a number of updates to Google Merchant Center including the AI performance insights generally available, it has simplified Universal Commerce Protocol integration, and Google highlighted how using conversational and video attributes can help.
Microsoft Ads API Returns Editorial Reasons for Assets
The Microsoft Advertising API's GetEditorialReasonsByIds service now supports ImageAsset and TextAsset types along with the existing Ad and Keyword entities. This change allows advertisers to programmatically retrieve disapproval reasons for these assets, improving workflows for handling Responsive Search Ads (RSA) and Performance Max (PMax) disapproval monitoring. The updated API documentation shows changes in EntityType values and includes a new note explaining that for `TextAsset` and `ImageAsset`, the EntityId functions as AssetId , rendering ParentId irrelevant. Read the official announcement here: GetEditorialReasonsByIds Service Operation . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Ads API Returns Editorial Reasons for Assets appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Image Search Collections Save To Suggested By Al
Google Image Search lets you save images to collections and folders. Well, now Google will suggest new folders or collections using AI - it says "suggested by AI" with a Gemini icon over a folder.
Google Search Product Listings Tests Linking Directly To Merchant Site
Google is now testing linking the product and shopping results within Google Search directly to the merchant or retailer website. This is instead of Google opening the side panel with more details about the product.
New Information On Google Ads Multi-Source Conversions Beta
Google posted another new help document on multi-source conversions (beta). Last month, Google reportedly renamed conversions with multiple data sources to multi-source conversions, but now there is this new help document as well.
Bing Tests Shopping Filters On Left Sidebar
Microsoft Bing is testing adding product/shopping related filters on the left sidebar of the search results. This makes the Bing all search tab look more like Google's all tab, when you search for product or shopping related queries.
Google Ads Spend Benchmarks Report Compares Your Competitors
Google Ads is rolling out an update to the Spend benchmarks report that now shows you how your spend is comparable to businesses like yours. In short, it shows you if you are spending more, less or the same as your competitors on Google Ads.
Google: Google Search Console AI Position Reporting Will Evolve Over Time
Google's John Mueller said that he expects the position and impression tracking for AI Mode, AI Overviews and Google Search to "evolve over time" as Google Search, AI Mode and AI Overviews "evolve too," he wrote.
Merchant Center Expands Conversational Attribute Specs
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 has also been published, assisting advertisers in streamlining their feed work. Key attributes like document link , question and answer , popularity rank , and variant option now have specific technical names and file format examples listed. This documentation ensures that these elements are understood correctly across different data sources, essential for efficient and effective product data management. Read the official help pages here: How to use conversational attributes Document link [document_link] - Google Merchant Center Help Item group title [item_group_title] - Google Merchant Center Help Question and answer [question_and_answer] - Google Merchant Center Help Popularity rank [p…
Demand Gen Ad Reviews Can Take 3-5 Business Days, Edits Reset the Clock
Google has updated its help page to specify ad review times for different campaign types. Most reviews are completed 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 are advised to avoid making edits to budgets, bid strategies, or ad text while an ad is under review, as any modification resets the review clock. If the review status hasn't changed after 7 business days, a minor edit can trigger the review process again. These changes highlight the need for advertisers to carefully plan their campaigns around these review timelines to ensure timely ad activation. Read the official help page here: Check the review status of an ad or asset . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Demand Gen Ad Reviews Can Take 3-5 Business Days, Edits Reset the Clock appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Search Live Now Powered By Gemini 3.8 Live
Google Search Live is now powered by Google's latest AI model, Gemini 3.8 Live. Search Live has been around for a couple years now, both in audio only format and then video format. Search Live was released globally in March, and before that, it removed the opt-in requirements.
Google Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) With Ad Metrics
Google announced new ad metrics that are being tested within the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX). These metrics include Ad Count, Ad Density, Ad Weight (Network) and Ad Weight (CPU).
Microsoft Merchant Center Store Renaming No Longer Affects Shopping Ads
Renaming a Microsoft Merchant Center store no longer disrupts Shopping ads. When a store name is updated, the new name goes Under review while ads continue displaying the previously approved name . If the new name is rejected, the original store name remains active, and the rejection reason is shown in Store Issues . This practical change helps businesses rebrand without fearing an interruption in ad delivery. Read the official help page found by Hana Kobzová : Create a Microsoft Merchant Center store . The post Microsoft Merchant Center Store Renaming No Longer Affects Shopping Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 15, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. I am seeing signs of a big update lurking with Google Search...
ChatGPT Ads Aren’t Paid Search – 5 Questions To Answer Before You Shift Budget via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
Give ChatGPT Ads a clear role, budget source, and success criteria before pulling money from paid search campaigns that already perform. The post ChatGPT Ads Aren’t Paid Search – 5 Questions To Answer Before You Shift Budget appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
AI Overviews and paid search: When to fight, influence, or generate demand
Classify queries by intent and AI visibility to decide where to bid, influence the answer, or shift budget to demand generation.
Microsoft Expands Customer Match CDP Partners
Microsoft Advertising has expanded its Customer Match partner list, now including several new customer data platforms (CDPs). This expansion effectively doubles the number of available partners to 20, giving advertisers more options for syncing customer data. Among the additions are Adobe Real Time CDP, Amperity, and Emarsys (SAP), while Salesforce is no longer listed. Read the official help page found by Hana Kobzová here: Customer match: Use your own data to find customers . The post Microsoft Expands Customer Match CDP Partners appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up This Morning - September 15th
Google Search seems to be heating up this morning, I am seeing a huge spike in chatter in the past few hours and the tools may be starting to heat up as well. We will know more tomorrow but I am suspecting we are seeing the start of a Google update, hopefully one Google will confirm soon but I doubt it.
Google Business Profile API Application Delays
Google announced a delay in processing applications for access to the Google Business Profile API. This was posted by Victoria Kroll in multiple languages in the Google Business Profiles support forum.
Google AI Mode Tests Text Link Ads
Google is testing a text-based link format for ads within AI Mode. So the ads look like normal AI Mode responses, with normal looking text links with anchor text, but they are labeled as "Sponsored" above the AI-generated response.
Google Ads August 17 Target-Based Bidding Update Finished August 27
Google has posted the date of when the Google Ads bidding update, the target-based bid strategies rolled out, completed globally. It started on yes, August 17, 2026 and completed on August 27, 2026.
Google Ads PMax: Where Should People Go After Clicking Your Ads?
Google Ads added a new option within your Performance Max campaigns to select "Where should people go after clicking your ads?" The two available options for that question are (1) Your website and (2) Google Business Profile (optimized for ads).
Early Data On Google Ads August 17 Bidding Update
The Google Ads August 17th bidding update happened about a month ago, and Google's various ad representatives spent a lot of time telling us that a lot won't change. It still caused a big stir in the community, but now we have some data to share.
Google European Ecosystem Carousel Live For Weather, Translations & More
As you know, Google has new features in many European regions to promote vertical search services (VSS) by way of the Digital Markets Act. Many of those changes have been live for a while, but now the Ecosystem carousel seems to be live.
Local Services Ads To Performance Max: What To Audit Before Migration via @sejournal, @hethr_campbell
CallRail’s Meagan McLoughlin explains what to audit before/after Local Services Ads migrate into Google Ads, from historical reports to tracking numbers and lead quality. The post Local Services Ads To Performance Max: What To Audit Before Migration appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Target-Based Bidding Change Finished Rolling Out on August 27
Starting on August 17, 2026 , Google began rolling out its rewrite of Target CPA and Target ROAS for budget limited campaigns. The rollout was completed on August 27, 2026 . Advertisers are now seeing campaigns trend towards their original targets if left unadjusted. The updated Google Ads help page indicates the completion of this global rollout as well as the stabilization of the Performance Planner's forecasting models. Campaigns that previously overperformed are now expected to align more closely with entered targets. The help section now includes a Troubleshoot Limited by Budget Soon Status page, describing how alerts are triggered when budgets may not meet forecasted traffic demands. This status is based on projected seasonal traffic increases, such as during peak shopping periods. Read the official information here: Frequently asked questions about changes to Target-based bid strategies . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Target-Based Bidding Change Finished Ro…
Microsoft Advertising Publishes AI Content Transparency Rules
Microsoft Advertisin g has introduced a dedicated help page outlining transparency rules for AI-generated and synthetic content . Advertisers are now required to disclose AI use in ads, preserve metadata, and avoid deepfakes, ensuring consumer trust. Read the official announcement spotted by Hana Kobzová here: AI-generated and synthetic content in advertising . The post Microsoft Advertising Publishes AI Content Transparency Rules appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 14, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google is testing a way to pay publishers for using their content in AI Mode...
Google Search Update September 4th That Reverted September 13th?
I've been pretty quiet on posting reports Google updates recently, in fact, I have not posted about one since late August. But while most sites seem calm in the Google rankings, there was definitely some sort of ranking blip around September 4th, and in some cases, the September 4th impact reverted on September 13th. It is super weird.
Advertisers Upset as Promotional Credits Get Invalidated
Advertisers using Google Ads are experiencing frustration as promotional credits are being revoked after they have been spent. David Melamed reported on LinkedIn that he encountered this issue twice recently. The credits, once spent, were invalidated, leaving advertisers unexpectedly covering costs they thought were subsidized. He described this practice as "pure theft," noting that his clients would not have spent the initial $3,200 without the promise of a free credit. He expressed concern over the lack of an appeal process for such invalidations. Ginny Marvin , Google Ads Liaison, responded to his post, stating she would escalate the issue to the team. This update was shared by David Melamed and Barry Schwartz . The post Advertisers Upset as Promotional Credits Get Invalidated appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Search Tests Blue More Link In Shopping Results
Google is testing a blue background color on the "More" link within the product results in Google Search. The link is normally just a basic "more" link with no prominence or color that calls it out but in this test, Google is using a blue highlight color for the link.
Google AI Mode More Query Expansion Interfaces
Google continues to test new query expansion methods in AI Mode, beyond standard follow-up questions. Now Google is testing questions with multi-selection tools, a query refinement option and those recent paginated responses.
Google Search: It's Normal For Image Thumbnails To Be Slow To Update
Google's John Mueller said it is normal for Google Search to take a while to update image thumbnails in its search results with updated images from the website it pulls from. And it can take even longer if the image is still on the page, but was only moved down the page later, even if the image is within the recipe structured data as the primary.
Google Ads Product Value Optimization Beta
Google Ads has a new beta named Product Value Optimization that allows advertisers to configure value adjustments to guide automated bidding to optimize for the products that matter for your business goals.
Google Al Contribution Pilot - Paying Publishers For Use Of Content In AI
Google is doing a small test where it is paying publishers for using their content within the Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, Gemini and other AI search features. This is called the AI contribution pilot, something we actually spotted back in April 2026, but are now learning more about today.
Google AI Overviews Practice Knowledge Quiz
Did you know that Google AI Overviews can also quiz you on various knowledge topics? Google announced this with AI Mode a few weeks ago, but it is also available in Google Search.
Message Assets Add Google Messages as a New Option
Google is testing Google Messages as a new option for Message assets in sponsored search results. Google Messages joins the existing messaging options available to advertisers, including WhatsApp, Messenger, Zalo, SMS Messages, and Line . The addition gives advertisers another way to let potential customers start a conversation directly from an ad. This update was spotted by Sachin Patel . The post Message Assets Add Google Messages as a New Option appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API Introduces New Onboarding Experience
A new onboarding experience for Google Ads API developers has been introduced in the Google Cloud Console . This update automates Basic Access applications for developers who have completed brand verification. Among the key changes, developers can now sign up directly in the Google Cloud Console without needing a Google Ads manager account. The API Center page in manager accounts will transition to the Google Ads API Overview page. Existing developer token access levels will be linked to Google Cloud projects, making the previous tokens optional in API call headers. Google Ads API version v25 will introduce new error codes, such as CLOUDPROJECTNOTAPPROVEDFOR_PRODUCTION, for certain access level mismatches. Read the official blog post here: A new onboarding experience for Google Ads API developers . The post Google Ads API Introduces New Onboarding Experience appeared on PPC News Feed .
Merchant Center Adds Product-Level Video Uploads
Merchants can now enhance their product listings in Google Merchant Center with video content . This update allows the upload of videos directly at the product level, providing an opportunity to showcase products beyond static images. The supported video specifications include flexible aspect ratios of 9:16 , 16:9 , or 1:1 and a duration ranging from 6 to 240 seconds . Videos must meet a minimum resolution of 720p and the file size is capped at 500MB . This update was spotted by Arpan Banerjee . The post Merchant Center Adds Product-Level Video Uploads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Product Discounts Get “X Days Left” Annotation
A new feature spotted in Google Shopping ads adds a countdown timer annotation for product discounts . This update aims to enhance visibility for promotional deals, highlighting how much time is left before an offer expires. Advertisers will find the "X days left" annotation displayed in the shopping ad, creating a sense of urgency for potential customers. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Product Discounts Get “X Days Left” Annotation appeared on PPC News Feed .
Booking Prices Customized by Device Type in Hotel Ads
In Google's new Digital Markets Act (DMA) booking search widgets , the prices shown are customized based on factors like the device type . The specific factors used beyond 'device type' remain unclear but might include location and language. This customization is limited to the EU where the DMA is enforced. The update, shared by Radu Oncescu , includes a disclaimer stating: "This price was customised by the booking partner based on factors such as your device type." The post Booking Prices Customized by Device Type in Hotel Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Merchant Center Glitch Exposes Internal AI Prompts
Google Merchant Center briefly displayed internal AI prompts intended for generating performance insights, rather than just the final summaries. The glitch exposed behind-the-scenes parameters like click changes for 20 products and decision rules for highlighting top items. Users saw instructions such as "thinking" and "Formatting" normally hidden in AI processing. Google's accidental reveal didn't leak sensitive data but provided an amusing look at the technology generating performance summaries. This update was spotted by Vipul Kumar and Barry Schwartz . The post Merchant Center Glitch Exposes Internal AI Prompts appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Consolidates Action Tasks
Google Ads is consolidating action tasks into a single page, streamlining account management for advertisers. This change aims to provide a cleaner account experience with tasks popping up in one convenient location. For example, a task like "Apply for free desktop software certification" appeared in a hair and beauty account. Such recommendations highlight a need for more context to avoid misclassification. This update was shared by Bia Camargo . The post Google Ads Consolidates Action Tasks appeared on PPC News Feed .
Supplemental Feeds For Automatic Product Imports
Advertisers using Google Merchant Center 's automatic imports can now add supplemental feeds , a feature previously unseen by some experts. This option enhances data feed management by allowing more flexibility in product data provided. Previously, supplemental feeds could only be applied to primary product feeds added using API or XML/CSV files. That’s now changed. This update was flagged by Emmanuel Flossie . The post Supplemental Feeds For Automatic Product Imports appeared on PPC News Feed .
Reverse Crocodile Effect Seen in Google Shopping Ads
Google Shopping Ads data reveals a "reverse crocodile effect" following the launch of AI Overviews in Google Search. As reported by Mike Ryan , Shopping Ads have shown a decline in impressions while click-through rates have increased, based on data comprising 175 billion impressions. From mid-2025 to mid-2026, median Shopping ad impressions dropped from approximately 1.85 million to 1.4 million, while the median CTR rose from 1.20% to nearly 1.55%. This suggests that Google might be serving AI Overviews preferentially for lower probability queries, thus increasing CTR by reducing the impression count and focusing more on higher click propensity queries. This insight was shared by Barry Schwartz . The post Reverse Crocodile Effect Seen in Google Shopping Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Update to Croatia’s Gambling Policy
Google Ads will update its Gambling and games policy specifically for Croatia, effective October 7, 2026 . The updated policy will disallow promotion of online gambling-promoting content targeting Croatia. All existing certifications for advertisers of such content will be revoked, and new applications will not be accepted. This does not affect the promotion of online gambling itself. You can read the official announcement here: Update to Gambling and Games Policy: Croatia . The post Update to Croatia’s Gambling Policy appeared on PPC News Feed .
“Sold Last Week” Badges in Shopping Ads
Google is testing the addition of "sold last week" badges in Shopping ads , which provide a count of how many products were sold in the last week. This feature appears in Google Shopping ads alongside other product details. The feature aims to strengthen social proof by displaying popularity metrics like "200+ sold last week" beneath product listings, helping build consumer trust and influence purchase decisions. This update was spotted by Arpan Banerjee . The post “Sold Last Week” Badges in Shopping Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Copilot Results Now Display Shopping Ads
Bing's new update integrates shopping ads into the results displayed by Bing Copilot . This enhancement allows users to see ads directly within their Copilot results, bridging the gap between search assistance, seeing specific products and advertising. Advertisers can expect increased visibility for their products through this integration, which displays shopping ads alongside AI-generated responses. This represents a significant opportunity for ecommerce brands using Microsoft's platform to expand their reach. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Bing Copilot Results Now Display Shopping Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
AI Powered Dashboard Creation Arrives in Google Ads
Google Ads has introduced a new AI-powered feature for dashboard creation , allowing users to simply describe their desired dashboard, and Google AI will help build it. Advertisers can use this functionality to easily summarize account performance, analyze conversion trends, and review Search campaign health. This capability, currently in beta, aims to streamline custom dashboard creation and ease account analysis by reducing time spent on manual configuration. This update was spotted by Vivek Gupta . The post AI Powered Dashboard Creation Arrives in Google Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Advertisers report Google Ads credits being revoked after spending
Advertisers report Google Ads promotional credits being invalidated after they’ve already spent budget to qualify for them.
Dashboards Available In Google Analytics
Google Analytics is rolling out dashboards where you can create your own custom dashboards using Google Analytics data. Google explains that you can "create custom visualizations to quickly pull actionable insights from your Google Analytics data, all in a single, consolidated page."
Store Sales Coming to Google’s Data Manager
Google is integrating Store Sales into the Data Manager in Google Ads, facilitating easier import of in-store transaction data for eligible advertisers. This feature allows advertisers to connect existing sales data, such as from a CRM or Google Sheets , directly within their Google Ads account. Store Sales measurement links physical location purchases to prior ad interactions and is useful for reporting and Smart Bidding, optimizing toward store sales, or integrating offline revenue with online conversions. Advertisers can upload first-party store sales data through manual or scheduled uploads, Data Manager, the Google Ads API, or approved store sales partners. This integration aims to streamline technical processes, rolling out by the end of September. However, access to Store Sales is restricted to eligible advertisers, with some features limited to allowlisted users. Customer data must be hashed before uploading, with Google Ads offering hashing using SHA-256 during the upload pro…
Google Ads data shows query length shift post-AI Mode
Longer, more specific searches are gaining impression and conversion share, while short queries continue to lose ground.
Location Asset Requirements Updated for Clarity
Google has updated the Location asset requirements in June and September 2026 to improve terminology and enhance readability. The changes aim to provide advertisers with clearer information about managing location assets without altering policy enforcement. This update also includes new troubleshooting steps tailored for advertisers using location assets to address potential issues more effectively. Read the official announcement: Update to Location asset requirements . The post Location Asset Requirements Updated for Clarity appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 11, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google's page indexing report is missing a chunk of data from June...
Google Search Console Indexing Report Missing Old June Data
The Google Search Console page indexing report is now missing a huge chunk of data from June 2026. It seems something is super buggy with this report over the page several months or something weird is happening with indexing in Google Search. I am hoping it is just a reporting thing, but I am seeing a lot of indexing complaints this month.
The availability heuristic: 7 ways Google Ads can steer your decisions
What gets your attention in Google Ads can influence where you spend, what you change, and how you judge performance. Here's what to watch.
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Degrades EU Search Quality, Losing Faith In Your Site, AI Mode Match Types & Google Maps Photo Scams
This week we covered how Google said it launched its biggest reduction in search quality in Europe over the DMA laws. Google also posted a document on the regional differences with the Google Search experiences. Google confirmed there was a temporary indexing reporting bug in Search Console...
Google Shopping Ads X Days Left Attribute On Sponsored Ads
Google Ads is running a "very early experiment" to show a new attribute in sponsored results in Google Search. This attribute shows how many days remain in a sale or deal on Shopping Ads.
Google Ads Reporting Segments For Loyalty Program Members
Last month, Google Ads added a new customer retention option named Loyalty program members. Now Google Ads can segment reporting by Loyalty program members.
Google Ads Sponsored Results Label Alignment Is Off (Sometimes)
Google may have a bug with some of its search results formatting, where the sponsored results heading is sometimes not left-aligned. This does not seem intentional and it seems more like a formatting bug, but who knows.
Google Ads Video Campaign Group Beta
Google Ads is beta testing a new option during the campaign creation process for "Video Campaign Group." This option is for video or Demand Gen campaigns, and it features aggregated metrics and controls for reach and frequency across campaigns.
Google Merchant Center With Add Product Videos
Google Merchant Center now lets you upload videos of your products through a new Product videos section. "Product videos offer a more engaging and immersive experience to customers," Google wrote on the "Add videos" page within Merchant Center.
Google AdSense Max Message Coverage & Optimize My Consent Message
Google AdSense announced two new privacy-focused features it is rolling out or has rolled out in European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom (UK), or Switzerland regions. Google Ads has "Maximize message coverage" and "Optimize my consent message" in Privacy & messaging.
Google Ads Expands Promotion Mode to Daily Budgets
Google is rolling out Promotion Mode in Google Ads, first announced in September 2025 for total budgets and now expanded to daily budgets . Still in beta, the feature is available for Search and Performance Max campaigns and is designed for temporary events such as flash sales. Advertisers can schedule ROAS tolerance changes and additional spend for a defined promotion period, temporarily overriding standard budget controls. Once the promotion ends, the campaign automatically returns to its regular settings. One limitation is that baseline ROAS targets cannot be changed during an active promotion , making it important to finalize targets before the sale begins. Unlike Google’s seasonality adjustments, which account for expected changes in conversion rates, Promotion Mode directly adjusts budget and ROAS tolerance during the promotional period. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Ads Expands Promotion Mode to Daily Budgets appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Tests Product Value Optimization
Google Ads is testing a new feature called Product Value Optimization in beta. This allows advertisers to adjust the value of specific products, feeding those values directly into automated bidding strategies. Advertisers can create product-level value adjustments and use product attributes to define which products are more important. This enables multiplication of conversion values for selected products and applies these adjustments at the campaign level. This update was shared by Adriaan Dekker . The post Google Ads Tests Product Value Optimization appeared on PPC News Feed .
“Loyalty Program Members” Segment Spotted in Google Ads
A new segment labeled "Loyalty program members" has been identified within Google Ads reporting. This segment allows advertisers to analyze performance by targeting users in loyalty programs based on your first-party data. This update was spotted by Arpan Banerjee . The post “Loyalty Program Members” Segment Spotted in Google Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Strengthens Data and Measurement Tools
Google has announced enhancements to its measurement capabilities , aiming to drive business growth through better data integration and analysis. Data Manager is now directly integrated with Google Analytics and DV360, enabling advertisers to manage their first-party data more effectively. Enhanced conversions have been introduced across platforms, improving ad relevance by securely matching customer data. Advertisers can now quantify the impact of their data strategies using a new Data Strength Uplift Metric in Google Ads, showcasing improvement in conversions. Additionally, upgrades to Meridian , Google's Marketing Mix Model, are making modeling faster and more aligned with real-world data. These enhancements aim to provide actionable insights from complex econometrics and include features like agentic capabilities and global availability for Meridian GeoX for conducting geo-experiments announced earlier this month . Read the official announcement here: Drive profitable growth with…
Google Tests “Related Searches Based on Your Browsing” in Paid Results
Google is now inserting "Related searches based on your browsing" into the sponsored results section. This change could alter user behavior, as users may refine their searches and generate additional ad impressions without clicking. This update was shared by Anthony Higman . The post Google Tests “Related Searches Based on Your Browsing” in Paid Results appeared on PPC News Feed .
3 ways to prep for your next big race with Search
Illustration on a blue background of technicolor runners with a magnifying glass and Gemini spark overlaid
A new onboarding experience for Google Ads API developers
To improve the developer onboarding and usage experience, we built a new homepage for the Google Ads API in the Google Cloud Console . Basic Access applications are now automated for developers who have completed brand verification . This blog post covers several related changes that will start rolling out today. Developers should review the action required section of this post to ensure a smooth transition. Changes to API access management We are updating how you sign up for and manage Google Ads API access . New onboarding experience for Google Ads API: You can now sign up for access to the Google Ads API directly in the Google Cloud Console without requiring a Google Ads manager account. We are sunsetting all the new signup and API access management functionality in the API Center page in manager accounts and transitioning to the Google Ads API Overview page in Google Cloud Console. You can still access the API Center page to refer to your old developer details. This page will comp…
Google Search Deez Nuts AI Overview Easter Egg
If you conduct a blank search on Google Search, you will get an AI Overview that says "...nuts? ð¥" It seems like one of those easter eggs dropped by Google within its search results.
How Do I Keep Control As Platforms Automate My Account? – Ask A PPC via @sejournal, @navahf
Keep AI-driven PPC accountable with transparent reporting, brand-safe creative guardrails, and campaign structures that preserve performance without surrendering control. The post How Do I Keep Control As Platforms Automate My Account? – Ask A PPC appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Google Ads Now Displays Custom Search Term History
Google Ads now displays search history for custom search terms , enhancing advertiser insights into specific queries. Advertisers can now access a detailed record of search terms used, providing a clearer understanding of consumer behavior aligned with their ad campaigns. This update was first shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Ads Now Displays Custom Search Term History appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 10, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. John Mueller from Google said it is hard to map positions one through ten in search anymore...
Apple: 2.5 Billion Siri Requests Every Day
Did you know that Apple Siri handles 2.5 billion requests every single day? Lilian Rincon, Apple's Vice President of Product Management / Product Marketing for Artificial Intelligence, said that yesterday at the Apple Event on September 9, 2026.
Google Launches Meridian GeoX Globally via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
Google launches Meridian GeoX globally, giving marketers new ways to run geo experiments and bring incrementality results into marketing mix modeling. The post Google Launches Meridian GeoX Globally appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Google Expands Data Manager And Adds Uplift Measurement via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
Google expands Data Manager across GA and DV360 and introduces a Data Strength Uplift Metric to measure the impact of first-party data. The post Google Expands Data Manager And Adds Uplift Measurement appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Drive profitable growth with new data and measurement tools
"Data + Causality + Better decisions = Profitable growth"
Phone Call & Offline Conversions Requirements Updated
Google Ads has added new information to its help documentation regarding phone call conversions and offline conversions . Advertisers can now enable call reporting and set conversion actions to primary to ensure correct call recordings. Adjusting the “minimum call length” and reviewing the “Call Details” report is also advised. For offline conversions, data can be imported via files or APIs , with specific settings ensuring successful processing. Names must match exactly, with processing taking 24 to 48 hours and Google Click IDs within 90 days. This update was observed by Barry Schwartz . The post Phone Call & Offline Conversions Requirements Updated appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google: The Old Position 1-10 Is Hard To Map For Site Owners
Google's John Mueller responded to questions about how impressions are counted for Generative AI in Google Search Console. Google has a document that explains that, and John just reiterated that. But what he added was that "the old "position 1 - 10" is hard to map."
Google Ranking Factors Survey: Content & Backlinks Most Important
There is a new Google ranking factor survey out for 2026. It has been a while since we had one, and it is here. This one was done by Cyrus Shepard and Dawn Shepard and posted at Zyppy. It says content relevance, backlinks, and content quality are the most important factors, according to the experts who were surveyed.
Bait & Switch: Google Ads Revoking Credits After Advertisers Spend Them
Google Ads has been offering new and existing customers credits to encourage them to spend on the advertising platform. But sometimes, Google Ads will revoke a credit, a credit that was already spent within the Google Ads platform, leaving the client spending more than they budgeted for.
Google Ads Beta Experiment: Budget Or Bidding Targets For Search Campaigns
Google Ads has a new beta variable to test within its experiments area named "Budget or bidding targets for Search campaigns." This test different budget, target CPA or target ROAS amounts to find the optimal level of spending for your campaign, Google wrote.
Google Maps Phone Number in Photo Scam
Scammers are using the Google Maps contributor program to upload AI-generated photos with phone numbers, tricking users into calling the number in the photo instead of the number on the Google Business Profile listing. These scammers are doing this across dozens, if not, hundreds of Google Business Profile listings and reporting them to Google seems to be doing nothing.
AI Max Revises Keyword Prioritization Rules
Google Ads has added a detailed section to the AI Max help documentation , addressing keyword prioritization changes. Previously, broad keywords were treated as exact match under certain settings. The new guidance specifies that disabling the broad match setting or migrating to AI Max means broad keywords won't be prioritized as exact match anymore . To maintain prioritization, advertisers should add exact match keyword copies in AI Max campaigns. However, doing so will erase historical data for those keywords. For advertisers who prefer the standard exact match prioritization, no action is needed. This update was shared by Barry Schwartz . The post AI Max Revises Keyword Prioritization Rules appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 9, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google said with SEO...
Google Ads Tests Collapsible Assets in Search
Google appears to be testing a new feature for displaying additional assets in Search ads . Instead of showing all assets directly, these extra assets may now be collapsed behind a +2 indicator , maintaining a more compact initial ad layout. The +2 indicator is positioned next to a callout-style asset at the bottom of the ad, suggesting users can expand this section to view more information. This update was spotted by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Ads Tests Collapsible Assets in Search appeared on PPC News Feed .
Manual vs. automated Google Ads campaigns: How to allocate your budget
Balance scale and control by matching automation to conversion volume, account maturity, and performance needs.
Google Tests Prefill Campaign Feature for Demand Gen
Google is testing a new Prefill campaign feature for Demand Gen campaigns. This feature utilizes Google AI to assist advertisers in drafting campaigns by importing settings and assets from existing campaigns, enabling easier setup. Advertisers can choose a source campaign as a template, allowing for modifications before the new campaign goes live. This feature is currently in beta and is part of Google's efforts to streamline campaign creation by leveraging its AI technology. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Tests Prefill Campaign Feature for Demand Gen appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google: Sometimes There Is No Absolute Right Answer For SEO
John Mueller has one of his Google lines again, he said in response to someone trying to pick the right answer for an SEO question - he said, "Sometimes there is no absolute right answer -- but you can choose one, and make it the right answer."
Google Merchant Center AI Performance: AI Search Intent, Terms & Attribution
The Google Merchant Center AI Performance Insights which launched in July and has begun expanding to more regions earlier this month has also gained new metrics. AI Search intent, AI Search terms and AI attributes have been added to the Google Merchant Center AI Performance Insights report.
Google Ads Local Customer Optimization & Store Sales In Data Manager
Google Ads is releasing two new features for multi-location retailers including Local Customer Optimization and Store Sales in Data Manager. Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison, wrote on X, "Ahead of the holiday rush, we're introducing two features for multi-location retailers, restaurants and local services to drive and measure in-store sales with ease."
Almost 100% Of People Also Ask Results Are Answered By Google AI Overviews
Google is now answering nearly 100% of all people also asked questions with AI Overviews. 14 months ago, it was only at about 12% but now we are seeing thar nearly all People also ask sections are answered by AI Overviews.
Google Ads Location Asset Requirements Update
Google has updated its location asset requirements for Google Ads. Google said it made these updates to "improve terminology, enhance readability, and include troubleshooting steps applicable to advertisers using location assets."
Google Confirmed Indexing Reporting Bug From Yesterday As Short Blip
Yesterday, for a short period of time, Google Search Console was reporting pages as not being indexed and in the status of "Crawled - currently not indexed." The issue seemed to have been resolved within an hour or so and now John Mueller from Google confirmed what we all saw and called it a "short blip."
AI Mode Tests Serving Regular Search Campaigns
Google is now serving regular pure Search campaigns with restrictive match types in AI Mode , according to multiple tests confirmed by Anthony Higman on LinkedIn. Ginny Marvin, Google’s Ads Liaison, confirmed that exact and phrase match keywords in regular Search campaigns are eligible to serve text ads in AI Mode . However, this is limited to searches where Google identifies explicit and direct user intent. For more complex conversational queries, Google is positioning AI Max and Performance Max for Search as the solutions designed to capture that intent and access newer ad formats such as Highlighted Answers. The post AI Mode Tests Serving Regular Search Campaigns appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Introduces Local Customer Optimization via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
Google Ads brings Local Customer Optimization to Performance Max and easier Store Sales measurement to help retailers drive and measure in-store purchases. The post Google Ads Introduces Local Customer Optimization appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
“Deal” Badge Spotted Live in Google Hotel Ads
Google Hotel Ads now feature a new " DEAL " badge. This badge automatically appears when a hotel offers a discount of 15% or more, while a " GREAT DEAL " label signals discounts of at least 25%. This update was spotted by Thomas Eccel . The post “Deal” Badge Spotted Live in Google Hotel Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Regional Differences In Google Search Experience Documentation
Google has posted a new help document explaining the regional differences in the Google Search experience. This document includes information about search experiences available in certain countries, such as aggregator units, supplier units, and carousels.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 8, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Google Ads Displays “Audiences” Tag Under Video Assets
Google Ads is now displaying an "Audiences" tag under video assets, enabling advertisers to directly associate specific audience segments with their video content. This feature appears within the Asset Library when selecting YouTube videos for ad campaigns. The tag facilitates easier identification of audience groups directly beneath video assets, enhancing the targeting process during ad creation. This addition could streamline campaign management by providing more visibility into audience targeting. This update was shared by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Ads Displays “Audiences” Tag Under Video Assets appeared on PPC News Feed .
The 11x ROAS account that lost money on every order
High ROAS can mask negative contribution, weak incrementality, and costly inventory decisions. Here's how to measure what really matters.
Google: EU DMA Changes Resulted In Largest Reduction In Search Quality
Google has rolled out its Digital Markets Act changes in Europe and called it the "largest reduction in quality" in the life of Google Search. "The changes mark the largest reduction in quality of service 'at the world's most popular internet search engine in its 29-year search history," Google official told Reuters.
6 Months Into ChatGPT Ads, Advertisers Still Don’t Know What ‘Good’ Looks Like via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
Advertiser data now spans single-digit to $22 CPCs, but ChatGPT Ads still lacks auction insights, industry benchmarks, and reliable audience data to judge performance. The post 6 Months Into ChatGPT Ads, Advertisers Still Don’t Know What ‘Good’ Looks Like appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Google Ads Updates Personalized Advertising Policy
Starting on October 30, 2026, Google will update its personalized advertising policy for YouTube inventory . This change will allow for alcohol advertising where locally permitted, reflecting growing customer interest and improved data protection measures. Personalized ads for alcohol will include alcohol-related products and alternative beverages , with restrictions still in place for Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Poland. Google maintains its prohibition on targeting health information related to alcohol and will continue to enforce age restrictions and limit ads personalization for minors. Read the official announcement here: Update to Google Ads Personalized Advertising Policy . The post Google Ads Updates Personalized Advertising Policy appeared on PPC News Feed .
September Data In Google Business Profiles Insights Missing
Google Business Profiles insights analytics report is missing data for the whole month of September 2026. Normally these reports can be a few days delayed but now we 8 days into the month and I still do not see any data.
Google Ads AI Dashboards Live For Some Advertisers
Some advertisers are starting to see the new AI dashboards within Google Ads. As a reminder, Google showed off these Gemini-powered Google Ads dashboards last May and then in August said they would roll out soon and I guess now some advertisers are seeing it.
Google AI Mode Tests Paginated Follow Up Responses With Skip Button
Google is testing a new form of responses in AI Mode that offers paginated follow-up questions and responses, with a skip button to skip them.
Google Search Console Links Report Not Updated In A Month
The Google Search Console link report has now not been updated for a month. The last time the report was updated with fresh link data was around August 8, 2026 - a month ago.
Google Tests Thinner AI Overview Citations Panel
Google is testing a thinner design for the citations/link panel on the right side of the AI Overview. The citations panel is noticeably thinner and may be less noticeable to searchers, maybe leading to fewer clicks?
Google Business Profiles Email: Does This Look Right To You
Google is sending out Google Business Profiles notifications to business owners asking if the user-suggested edit or update is correct or not. The email says, "Does this look right to you?" and then it shows the suggested update to your business, which you can mark as correct or incorrect.
Google Shopping Ads With Number Sold Last Week
Google is showing the number of sold items for a specific product in the Google Shopping Ads format. The ad has an extension added on it that says "200+ sold last," or whatever number it might be.
Performance Max Can Now Pre-Fill Asset Groups
Google Ads has introduced a new feature for Performance Max campaigns called pre-fill asset groups . This allows advertisers to automatically import generated assets from Asset Studio into their asset groups. This update was observed by Barry Schwartz . The post Performance Max Can Now Pre-Fill Asset Groups appeared on PPC News Feed .
Meridian GeoX Launches Globally for Causal Experiments
Google has launched Meridian GeoX , a new open-source geo experimentation library available to all marketers worldwide. Initially announced at GML earlier this year , this solution supports geo-based incrementality experiments that integrate directly with Marketing Mix Models (MMM). Meridian GeoX offers a privacy-durable, cross-publisher framework to measure online, offline, and omnichannel sales. It addresses issues in attribution by providing mathematically rigorous methodologies that yield causal evidence to guide budget planning. This tool builds on Google’s existing Meridian ecosystem, which has achieved over one million downloads since its debut, emphasizing the demand for advanced, transparent measurement solutions. You can read the official announcement here: Meridian GeoX: Google's new open source causality solution is globally available . The post Meridian GeoX Launches Globally for Causal Experiments appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google tests traditional Search campaigns in AI Mode
Google is testing exact and phrase match Search ads in AI Mode when users show clear, direct intent.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 7, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Performance Max Help Documentation Overhauled
Google has made a comprehensive update to the Performance Max documentation in Google Ads, adding several new aspects such as search prioritization, campaign controls, and budget recommendations. The revised documentation provides a clearer understanding of key elements like Search and Performance Max prioritization , detailing the interaction dynamics and priority with exact match keywords. Campaign controls now encompass brand exclusions, negative keywords, and keywordless targeting. Adjustments in the Budget Panel offer guidance on recommendation levels, while the Final URL expansion is better explained, emphasizing advertiser responsibility for accurate landing pages and generated assets. This update was shared by Shauvik Kumar and Barry Schwartz . The post Performance Max Help Documentation Overhauled appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Can Lose Faith In Sites Based On Low Value Programmatic SEO
Google's John Mueller went off again on programmatic SEO, this time saying that programmatic SEO can "often leads to a site that's either spam, borderline spam, or low quality," he wrote. These tactics can often lead Google's "systems have possibly lost faith in your site providing good value to users based on the old pages."
‘What Customers Love’ Summary Now Showing on Desktop
Google is now testing a new "What customers love" section in Search ads on desktops , a feature previously spotted on mobile devices . This section provides AI-generated summaries of positive feedback from customer reviews, adding a layer of trustworthiness and informativeness to ads. These summaries are clearly labeled with the indication "AI-generated from the store rating reviews," which clarifies the data source and method of generation. This update was shared by Sachin Patel and Barry Schwartz . The post ‘What Customers Love’ Summary Now Showing on Desktop appeared on PPC News Feed .
New Google Ads Automated Promotions
Google Ads posted a new help document about automated promotions that describes how Google Ads can and does automatically identify and apply active promotional offers directly from your website.
Google Search Booking Partner Prices Are Customized
Google's new DMA booking search widgets now carry a disclaimer to explain that the prices listed in that block are customized "based on factors such as your device type." It is unclear what other factors are being used outside of "device type," but you'd have to assume the users location, language and other factors.
Google Merchant Center Shows AI Prompts For Top Performance Insights
Google accidentally showed the prompts it uses for some of the insights reports within Google Merchant Center. Instead of providing an easy-to-digest summary of the top product that drove your performance within Merchant Center, it spit out the prompts and actions, like "thinking," "role," "Formatting," and so on.
Google Shopping Ads Have A Reverse Crocodile Effect With AI Overviews
Since Google added AI Overviews to Google Search, many of us have been experiencing what some call the crocodile effect, also known as the great decoupling. But according to new data, the opposite may be happening with Google Shopping Ads.
Site Rules For Applebot-Extended Are Not Considered In Ranking For Search
Apple has updated its help documentation for Applebot over the weekend and added a single line at the end that reads, "Site rules for Applebot-Extended are not considered in ranking for Search." Applebot-Extended is not new; we covered it in April 2025, but here Apple is making it clear, like with Googlebot-Extended, that Applebot-Extended is separate from Search.
Google AI Overviews Get A Character Counter Tool
Google will now give you an interactive widget within AI Overviews for when you are looking for a simple character counter website. Websites that offer character counting service features are in trouble.
Google Expands Waze Ads to 42 Countries
Google has expanded access to Waze Ads beyond the United States, now covering a total of 42 countries. This expansion is reflected in the updated PMax help documents in the Google Ads help center. Waze Ads, which were previously limited to the United States for store goal campaigns bidding on Store Visits, Store Sales, or Local Actions Directions , are now available in select global markets. The updated availability is significant for advertisers using Performance Max for store goals campaigns. Supported countries now include the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and a variety of European and other international locations. Waze Ads first relaunched in the U.S. in July 2025 and moved to Google Ads in PMax by November 2025. This update was spotted by Barry Schwartz . The post Google Expands Waze Ads to 42 Countries appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Tests Restrictive Match Types in AI Mode
Google has begun testing restrictive match types for regular Search campaigns in AI Mode. This small experiment allows exact and phrase match keywords to serve text ads, but only where there is direct user intent. The AI Mode, distinct from AI Max and Performance Max , captures simpler intentions as opposed to the complex conversational intent usually required for these ad formats. The experiment was initially spotted by Anthony Higman and confirmed by Ginny Marvin, Google's Ads Liaison. The experiment presents an opportunity for advertisers to potentially leverage AI-driven targeting in more focused keyword scenarios, expanding beyond previous capabilities limited to broader targeting and bidding strategies. This update was spotted by Anthony Higman and also reported by Barry Schwartz . The post Google Tests Restrictive Match Types in AI Mode appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API v22 Set to Stop Functioning in October
Google Ads API v22 will sunset on October 7, 2026 . As of this date, all requests made through v22 will fail, requiring advertisers to migrate to a newer version to maintain API access. Recent usage of the API methods and services can be checked via Google Cloud Console . Read the official announcement here: Google Ads API v22 Sunset Reminder . The post Google Ads API v22 Set to Stop Functioning in October appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Highlights 2026 Holiday Shopping Trends
Microsoft Advertising has released its 2026 Holiday Playbook detailing six key global trends that advertisers should be aware of for the holiday season. The guide emphasizes the impact of AI on shopping habits, noting that 76% of U.S. shoppers plan to use AI for their holiday purchases. Another highlighted trend is the lengthening of the conversion journey, which now takes an average of 52 days. Most U.S. shoppers begin their holiday buying before Halloween, with similar patterns observed globally. Economic pressures influence shoppers differently, with some focusing on value while others prioritize quality and unique brand experiences. Sales events also play a crucial role, serving as demand accelerators. For brands looking to capture this market, the playbook offers strategies to engage consumers effectively in the evolving AI-driven landscape. Read the full guide on Microsoft's official blog: Winning the 2026 Holiday Shopper . The post Microsoft Highlights 2026 Holiday Shopping Tre…
Google Tests AI Generated Review Summaries Again
Google is testing AI-generated review summaries in Search ads. This enhancement could give users an at-a-glance view of what previous customers appreciate about a product or service directly in the search ad itself, showing a 'What customers love' section followed by testimonial text. Last month, a similar test was spotted , but the text used was "What people are saying." This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post Google Tests AI Generated Review Summaries Again appeared on PPC News Feed .
ROAS Targets Recommended in Google Ads
Google Ads users are noticing new recommendations to apply ROAS targets on their campaigns. Advertisers will see an "Apply target" button, enabling the reintroduction of these targets based on historical data. While the feature offers convenience, advertisers should carefully review if these recommended targets align with their current business strategy before applying them. This update was shared by Bia Camargo . The post ROAS Targets Recommended in Google Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Video Campaign Groups Spotted Live in Google Ads
Google has now made Video campaign groups visible in the Google Ads interface, following their announcement in July . Advertisers can now choose between a Standard campaign group and the newly introduced Video campaign group , currently marked as Beta. The Video campaign group supports both Video and Demand Gen campaigns , allowing for aggregated metrics and control over reach and frequency. This update was spotted by Gaurav Sharma and Vivek Gupta . The post Video Campaign Groups Spotted Live in Google Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Added Average Target Metrics Added to Evaluate Performance
Microsoft Advertising has introduced new average target metrics to facilitate performance evaluation across changing targets over time. These metrics are now included in the Campaign overview , Campaign grid , and within portfolio bid strategies . Advertisers can use these metrics to better analyze how their automated bidding strategies are performing against set targets. This enhancement offers more comprehensive insights into campaign efficiency, helping advertisers adjust strategies as needed. Read the official announcement here: AI Max for Search and Other Product News for August 2026 . The post Microsoft Added Average Target Metrics Added to Evaluate Performance appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Tests Serving Search Ads With Restrictive Match Types In AI Mode
Google has confirmed it has recently begun running a "small experiment" where it is serving regular pure Search campaigns with restrictive match types in AI Mode. Ginny Marvin, Google's Ads Liaison, told me, "This is a small experiment that recently kicked off."
Google Job Search Not Showing New Jobs?
Google may have a bug with its job search feature because it is barely showing any new jobs within its search results. This has been happening for the past week and it is unclear why.
Google Ads Developer Policies Updated for Enhanced Security
Google has revised its Developer Policies , previously called the Google Ads API Policy, aimed at enhancing security for developer integrations. Developers are advised to review these changes to ensure compliance. The Ads API Compliance team is currently reviewing existing integrations and will directly communicate necessary updates to affected developers. The updates focus on eliminating reliance on programmatic proxies , urging integrations to connect directly via a dedicated Google Cloud project. This mitigates risks such as unauthorized access and performance bottlenecks, safeguarding data integrity. Read the official announcement here: Making Google Ads More Secure with Updates to Developer Policies . The post Google Ads Developer Policies Updated for Enhanced Security appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 4, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Limited Ad Serving: Why Google Ads suddenly show less often
Google can limit ad serving without disapproving your ads. Learn what puts accounts at risk, how to spot a limitation, and how to appeal.
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Ad Tech Monopoly Wonât Be Broken Up, AI Mode Takes Over, Gemini Not Citing, AdSense Impression Changes & Bugs
This week, we covered how Google for the second time dodged being broken up, this time over its ad tech monopoly. Google AI Overviews are expanding by default...
Microsoft Rewrites Xbox Dash Ad Rules With Long Prohibited List
Microsoft has revised its advertising rules for the Xbox Dash placement within the Microsoft Audience Network . The update significantly expands the list of prohibited categories and introduces new requirements for non-endemic campaigns. The new guidelines prohibit ads in categories like credit cards in the US, crypto, NFTs, real estate, legal services, and weight loss , among others. Additionally, there is a new rule that non-endemic campaigns must include a prominent gaming tie-in and a Landing Experience. Xbox Store placements are now exclusively for games, gaming accessories, and eligible apps. Advertisers using Xbox Dash placements should review their campaigns to ensure compliance with the updated restrictions. Read the official announcement here: Microsoft publisher preferences . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Rewrites Xbox Dash Ad Rules With Long Prohibited List appeared on PPC News Feed .
New Google Business Profiles Submit A Business Photo For Verification
Google Business Profiles seems to be adding a fifth way to verify your business, this new method is by submitting a photo of your business location. The other methods are phone or text, email, live video call or a postcard in the mail.
Google Expands Waze Ads Beyond The United States
Google has expanded access to Waze Ads beyond the United States and to a total of 42 countries. Google updated the PMax help documents in the Google Ads help center with this new information. It now says, "Waze Ads are currently available across select global markets..."
Google Ads Collapsing Sitelinks That You Can Expand
Google Ads is testing another variation of expandable sitelinks, where sitelinks are collapsed by default and a number indicator shows how many more are available. You can then click to expand the sitelinks to show more.
Bing Tests Bolded HTTPS URLs In Snippets
Microsoft is testing bolding the https portion of the URLs in the Bing Search results. We've seen Microsoft test HTTPS labels in various forms over the years, including using lock icons. But here, Microsoft Bing is being more subtle about it by just bolding the HTTPS portion of the URL.
Google Ads Pushing Dismissed Recommendations
Google Ads is now pushing notifications to advertisers for recommendations they have previously dismissed. Google shows a message in the ads console that reads, "You still have dismissed recommendations for this campaign," which you can dismiss once again?
ChatGPT Ads Manager Plugin, Audience Updates, Product Feeds & More
We got a number of updates coming from OpenAI about ChatGPT Ads and the ChatGPT Ads Manager, we also suspect that the shopping results coming from ChatGPT only come from those who submit product feeds. The other updates include a plugin for integration with ChatGPT and/or Codex, custom audience improvements, conversion matching updates, ad unit formats, budget pacing, more conversion optimization options and expansion of the platform.
Klaviyo Added as Customer Data Source Partner
Google Ads has added Klaviyo as a new integration for Offline Conversion Import and Customer Match . The integration can help advertisers streamline how first party customer data moves between Klaviyo and Google Ads, reducing the need for manual data uploads. Read the official help page found by Hana Kobzová here: Data Source and Destination Integrations Table . The post Klaviyo Added as Customer Data Source Partner appeared on PPC News Feed .
App Campaigns Product Report Adds Cost and Conversions
Advertisers using App campaigns can now access product-level reports detailing both Cost and Conversions metrics. Previously, reports only displayed engagement metrics like impressions and clicks. This update allows advertisers to see which specific products drive app installs and spend. The change removes the previous limitation noted in the FAQ, which stated that cost and conversion data were not supported due to attribution complexity across diverse ad formats. Now, only Avg. CPC and other conversion-based metrics remain unsupported. Definitions for these metrics have been added to the About product reporting in App campaigns help page. The FAQ entries explaining the lack of these metrics have also been removed, signaling full support for tracking these data points at the product level. This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post App Campaigns Product Report Adds Cost and Conversions appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Advertising Adds Dual-ID Account Linking
Microsoft Advertising is enhancing account security by implementing a Dual-ID requirement for account linking. Advertisers managing multiple accounts will need to provide two identifiers instead of one, ensuring safer linking. For Manager account linking (CID), advertisers must include both a Manager Account Number and Manager Account ID . For standard account linking (XID), a Manager Account Number and Account Number are required. This change, effective by the end of August, applies only to new linking requests and requires no technical changes. The enforcement period spans from August 26 through September 22 . Read the official announcement here: AI Max for Search and Other Product News for August 2026 . The post Microsoft Advertising Adds Dual-ID Account Linking appeared on PPC News Feed .
Shopping Ads Now Showing in AI Mode
Google is now displaying Shopping ads within AI Mode results. Two different formats were spotted: a shopping carousel with products a single product unit This development underscores Google's effort to integrate more ad formats into AI Mode, potentially increasing click and revenue opportunities. This update was shared by Brodie Clark and Barry Schwartz . The post Shopping Ads Now Showing in AI Mode appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 3, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google has dodged being broken up for a second time on its monopoly ruling...
What your Google Ads hour-of-day report doesn’t tell you
Smart Bidding sees the auction-level signals your hourly report can’t. Know what you’re giving up when you cut an hour.
Google Tag Gateway for Advertisers Exits Beta on Akamai and Fastly
The Google tag gateway for advertisers has exited its beta phase with Akamai and Fastly . This change means the setup pages for these CDNs no longer carry the 'beta' label, offering a stable alternative for measurement setup alongside Cloudflare. Previously, setup instructions for both Akamai and Fastly included beta notices that directed users toward support options if issues arose. These notices have been removed. Read the official announcement here: Set up Google tag gateway for advertisers using Akamai Set up Google tag gateway for advertisers in the Google tag with Fastly This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Google Tag Gateway for Advertisers Exits Beta on Akamai and Fastly appeared on PPC News Feed .
Publishers Noticing Google News Tab Content Disappearing
Over the past several days, I have been hearing from some publishers that while their content is being crawled, indexed, and served in Google Search results, some of it is missing from the news tab. It may then later show up in the news tab, much later. I was able to replicate this but it seems completely random.
Google AI Mode Gemini 3.8 Flash Not Link / Citation Friendly?
As you know, Google rolled out Gemini 3.8 Flash for subscribers to AI Mode and some have started to play with it. And the early feedback is that AI Mode running Gemini 3.8 Flash is not link or citation friendly. Meaning, AI Mode with Google's latest AI model is less likely to cite sources and link to sources than previous models.
Google Expands Merchant Center AI Performance Insights
In July, Google began to roll out AI performance reports within Google Merchant Center to United States based merchants. Google said the AI reports are now available to merchants within Australia, Canada, India & New Zealand as well.
Google Ads Under Re-Review Label Status
Google Ads is showing under the status of your ads a label that says "Under Re-Review." It says the ad is eligible but limited and "this ad is serving to a limited audience." It then breaks down where the ad may not be serving.
Google Ads New Phone Call & Offline Conversions Details
Google added some new nuggets to its Google Ads help documentation on about conversion measurement, specifically on phone call conversions and offline conversions.
YouTube Creator Partnerships Analytics Adds Reach Metrics
YouTube Creator Partnerships has introduced new Reach metrics under the Analytics tab. These metrics estimate the number of unique viewers, including co-viewers on connected TVs, using a consistent cross-device methodology with YouTube Analytics. This ensures metrics match between Google Ads and YouTube dashboards. Unique reach is calculated for up to 92 days and can be segmented by week or month . The metrics use statistical models to account for viewers seeing ads on multiple devices or sharing one device. Limitations : Day, quarter, and year segmentations are not available, and exceeding timeframe constraints results in a hyphen display. Read the official help page here: How to navigate and use the Analytics tab in YouTube Creator Partnerships . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post YouTube Creator Partnerships Analytics Adds Reach Metrics appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API v22 sunset reminder
Google Ads API v22 will sunset on October 7, 2026. Starting on this date, all v22 API requests will begin to fail. Migrate to a newer version prior to October 7, 2026 to ensure your API access is unaffected. Here are some resources to help you with the migration: Upgrade to the newest version Release notes To view a list of methods and services that your project has recently called, use the Google Cloud Console : Open APIs & Services in the Google Cloud Console. Click Google Ads API in the table. On the Metrics subtab, your recent requests are plotted on each graph. You can see which methods you've sent requests to in the Methods table. The method name includes a Google Ads API version, a service, and a method name, such as google.ads.googleads.v22.services.GoogleAdsService.Mutate . (Optional) Select the timeframe for which you want to view your requests. If you have any questions or want to discuss this post, reach out to Google Ads API support or start a discussion on our “Google Ad…
Build a measurement stack you can rely on to steer your campaigns.
In this Ads Decoded episode, we discuss how to assess marketing campaigns with attribution, incrementality, and media mix models.
Google Search Using Gemini 3.8 Flash In AI Mode
Google's Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, said on X, "Gemini 3.8 Flash has landed in Search." This comes only a couple of weeks after Google brought Gemini 3.7 Flash to AI Mode within Google Search.
Judge Rules Google Ad Tech Business Won't Be Broken Up
A federal judge in Virginia ruled against breaking up Google's ad tech business after Google was found to be a monopoly over its ad technology platforms. The judge ordered Google to end its practices that depress ad rates for web publishers, but declined to order divestiture of Google's ad exchange and other technology.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 2, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Bumper Ads Redefined as 5 to 6 Seconds Long
Google has redefined the specifications for bumper ads through recent changes on the official Google Ads help page. Bumper ads, now required to be between 5 and 6 seconds long , used to be labeled simply as '6 seconds or shorter.' This adjustment impacts creative teams producing ads shorter than 5 seconds. The help page update specifically notes that bumper ads are non-skippable video ads with this new length duration, which play before, during, or after another video. Read the official help page here: About video ad formats . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Bumper Ads Redefined as 5 to 6 Seconds Long appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Trends Explore Page Adds Category Filtering
Google Trends now lets you filter your results by category, either with or without a query. This can give you a more refined view of the trends for a specific query or zoom you out more on category level trends within Google Search.
Versenytárselemzés az AI korban: így derítsd ki, hol állsz a Google-ben és az AI válaszokban a piacodon
A versenytárselemzés SEO fronton eddig arról szólt, kik előznek meg minket a Google találati listáján, és milyen kulcsszavakra. Ez ma már a történetnek legfeljebb a fele. A vásárlói út egyre nagyobb szelete kezdődik AI alapú lekérdezéssel, ahol nincs tíz kék link, csak egy válasz. Ott pedig vagy szerepelsz, vagy nem. A jó hír, hogy ez […] A Versenytárselemzés az AI korban: így derítsd ki, hol állsz a Google-ben és az AI válaszokban a piacodon bejegyzés először Marketing21 -én jelent meg.
What Happens To PPC When You Stop Managing Google Ads Through Google Ads via @sejournal, @siliconvallaeys
As agents and MCP connectors take over PPC management outside the Google Ads UI, this piece maps the risks and the governance needed to avoid. The post What Happens To PPC When You Stop Managing Google Ads Through Google Ads appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Hotel Campaigns Can Now Target Regions and Cities
Google Ads has updated its guidance, allowing Hotel Ads campaigns to target and exclude specific geographic areas such as regions, states, cities, or postal codes within a country. This change shifts away from the previous restriction of targeting by just country or territory. However, radius targeting, also known as proximity targeting, remains unavailable for these campaigns. This update enables hotel groups to allocate budgets with greater granularity, focusing on feeder markets rather than entire countries. Read the official help page here: Refine your location targeting . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Hotel Campaigns Can Now Target Regions and Cities appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google: The Disavow Tool Does Have Effects
Google's John Mueller said the Google disavow tool "does have effects," adding, "but it has its place & time." This was in response a complaint about a site dropping in the search results after adding links to the disavow link tool.
Google Ads New Pre-Fill Asset Groups With Generated Assets
Google Ads added a new section to the how asset groups work help documentation for pre-fill asset groups with generated assets. This section goes over new features like in-construction callout and automatic pre-fill.
Google AdSense Begin-to-Render Impression Measurement Coming
Google AdSense will change how it counts impressions for display ads starting on February 17, 2027. Google will use what it calls the Begin-to-Render methodology and will only count the impression once the ad has successfully loaded and has started to render on the user's device.
Google Tell Maps Starts To Roll Out
About a month ago, Google announced Tell Maps, a way for Google Maps contributors to use AI to tell Google Maps more about places. "You can suggest edits conversationally, right from Ask Maps and the Contribute tab," Google said about Tell Maps.
Bing Tests Search Result Snippets Without Site Names
Microsoft is testing removing the site names from the Bing search results and instead showing only the site's URL. Google tested this about a year ago, so I guess it makes sense for Bing to test as well.
Google Analytics September 1 Data Missing
Google Analytics seems to have another bug, this time with data missing from the main charts. September 1, 2026 data is showing zero traffic to websites; I believe this is across every Google Analytics install.
Automated Promotion Assets Launched in Google Ads
Google Ads has introduced a new account-level automated asset called Automated promotions . This feature allows Google to scan landing pages for active promotional offers, such as '20% off black sweaters' or 'Buy one get one free', and automatically create a new promotion asset and attach it to eligible Search and Performance Max ads. This feature is designed to boost both online purchases and store visits through campaigns with location assets attached . Crucially, it skips any campaign that already runs manual promotion assets, and each sourced promotion is eligible for less than 24 hours before it must be re-verified. Advertisers concerned about Google automatically extracting promotions can opt out in the account-level automated assets settings. To be eligible, campaigns must meet requirements including having active Search or Performance Max campaigns with location assets and not running existing manual promotions. Note: This update relates to Promotion assets for Search and Perf…
Google Working On Fixing Local Service Ads Bug
Google is working on fixing a bug with Local Service Ads where it seems Local Service Ads are being unlinked from the associated Google Business Profiles. There are also complaints of instability and slowness on the Local Service Ads platform.
Business Agent Can Now Be Enabled From Shopify
Google has updated its Business Agent help page to let Shopify merchants enable the AI powered shopping assistant directly through the Google & YouTube app . Business Agent is a branded AI shopping assistant that appears when consumers search for a business on Google Search. Shoppers can use it to ask questions about the brand and its products. Previously, merchants could customize and activate their Business Agent through Merchant Center or their brand profile on Google Search . Now, the Google & YouTube app has been added as a third option. A new recommendation card in the Google & YouTube app automatically imports the logo, brand colors, and support contact details , while providing defaults for the welcome message and conversation starters. Merchants can review the agent, accept the terms, and publish it. Advanced settings such as tone of voice are still managed in Merchant Center. Read the official announcement here: Business Agent Can Now Be Enabled From the Google & YouTube App…
Google AdSense to change how it counts impressions: Begin-to-Render
This change is happening on February 17, 2027 and will result in a change in total impressions.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 1, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Microsoft Renames AI Max Text Guidelines to Text Guardrails
Microsoft has renamed its AI Max Text Guidelines to Text Guardrails in both the AI Max search campaign flow and Performance Max. Advertisers can edit these guardrails to set term exclusions , ensuring AI-generated text assets align with brand requirements. The exclusion limit remains up to 25 terms. Read the official help pages here: How do I create a Search campaign? and Create a Performance Max campaign . This update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Renames AI Max Text Guidelines to Text Guardrails appeared on PPC News Feed .
Global: Google Search Console AI Performance Report & AI Control
For real this time, Google has released the Google Search Console generative AI performance reports and Search generative AI controls to everyone globally. This follows a slow rollout that began in the first week of June and expanded access to the features over the past few months.
Google Ads AI-Generated From The Store Rating Reviews Label
Google Ads has been testing AI-generated snippets and summaries in the sponsored results within Google Search for some time. But now Google is labeling a new section named "What customers love" as "AI-generated from the store rating reviews."
Google Ads Performance Max Help Docs Updated
On Friday, Google pushed out a pretty big overhaul of the Performance Max documentation within the Google Ads support area. I've been waiting to compare the old and new documents, but the Wayback Machine has been down for about a week now.
Google: Verifying Your Request To Continue To Search Results
In early August, Google was testing requiring searchers to sign in to verify they are humans to continue to see search results. Now, Google is testing a similar feature without requiring you to sign in, but instead, Google is asking you to click a "Continue" button after a few seconds, after Google verifies your request.
Google Ads AI Max Keyword Prioritization For Exact Match
Google Ads added a new paragraph to the AI Max help documentation for AI Max keyword prioritization." It explains that when "disabling the broad match campaign setting or moving to AI Max, broad keywords are not treated as exact match keywords in prioritization." It then tells you how to handle this within AI Max.
September 2026 Google Webmaster Report
It is time for the monthly Google webmaster report, where I recap the larger stories from the past month, specifically related to Google SEO, search, and webmaster/site owner topics...
Google Discover Not Loading Or Loading Slowly
Google Discover has been having issues for the past hour or so. Some are reporting that Discover won't load articles, some are reporting that Discover is loading but only after a long waiting period. It seems Google Discover is having stability issues this morning.
Lookalike Segments Expand to Video Campaigns
Google Ads is expanding Lookalike segments to Video campaigns , giving advertisers another campaign type where they can reach new users who share characteristics with existing audiences. Previously, Lookalike segments were available only for Demand Gen campaigns. The expansion means advertisers running Video campaigns can now use their existing audience data to find and reach similar potential customers. Google recommends using at least 1,000 active users in the seed list for better audience quality and recommends using value based data when available. Read the official help page spotted by Hana Kobzová here: Use Lookalike segments in Video campaigns . The post Lookalike Segments Expand to Video Campaigns appeared on PPC News Feed .
FTC Sues Amazon Over Alleged $20 Billion Advertising Surcharge Scheme via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged changes to its ad auctions that the agency says overcharged advertisers by more than $20 billion. The post FTC Sues Amazon Over Alleged $20 Billion Advertising Surcharge Scheme appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Making Google Ads More Secure with Updates to Developer Policies
We are updating our Google Ads Developer Policies formerly the “Google Ads API Policy”, to support developers in building robust, high-quality integrations as new AI capabilities continue to shape the advertising industry. These updates establish clear frameworks for emerging technologies that are more secure and drive better outcomes for our shared customers. To ensure a seamless transition to these updated standards, the Ads API Compliance team is actively reviewing existing integrations. Please check if your application requires updates by reviewing the policy. We will also reach out directly to developers who will need to transition with detailed guidance, technical resources and additional details. Why we are introducing these updates now As technology evolves, we periodically review our policies to make sure they reflect the current landscape. Historically, some integrations have relied on programmatic proxies , which bypass the verifiable and secure interface between end-users…
How to Install Cookiebot on Shopify Manually in 4 Steps
The Cookiebot Shopify app covers most stores, but not all of them. If you manage several domains from one Cookiebot account , deploy tags through Google Tag Manager , or need to decide exactly which scripts get blocked, you install Cookiebot manually in your theme code instead. This guide walks you through the manual installation in 4 steps: the Customer Privacy API snippet, the Cookiebot script, prior consent markup for third-party scripts, and the cookie declaration. You will also see the one limitation of this method that no amount of code can fix. [lasso id="13690" link_id="36929" ref="cookiebot"] When the manual installation is the right choice Pick the manual route when at least one of these is true: You deploy through Google Tag Manager: you want Cookiebot and Consent Mode loaded from GTM, alongside your other tags. You need script-level control: you decide which scripts are blocked and in which category, rather than relying on automatic blocking. You want one setup across plat…
Google: We Don't Penalize For Old Outbound Links With Shady Content
Google's John Mueller was asked if Google would penalize a site for old outbound links to a site that once hosted quality content and now changed ownership and hosts shady content. John said Google won't penalize such links; he said "no" and added, "the web is full of turmoil."
Google European Search Dataset Licensing Program Details
Google has updated its Google European Search Dataset Licensing Program page with details on the program. Google has been designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA and is thus legally required to share its search data with competing search engines to foster fair competition.
Troubleshoot Performance Fluctuations Help Pages Updated
Google Ads has released new documents to help advertisers troubleshoot performance fluctuations and changes across various campaign types, including Performance Max , Search , Display , Video , Shopping , and more. These documents provide guidance on identifying and addressing issues that could impact advertising effectiveness. This update was flagged by Barry Schwartz . The post Troubleshoot Performance Fluctuations Help Pages Updated appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 31, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google Search is making AI Overviews fully expanded for some queries, making it more like AI Mode and pushing the core search results down...
Update to Alcohol Advertising Policy
Google will implement an updated Alcohol policy on September 30, 2026 , introducing a more unified global advertising framework. This update revises country-specific guidelines, expands allowed advertising locations, and clarifies specific advertiser requirements. The revised policy language is now available for review, and advertisers are encouraged to examine standards relevant to their products and target regions before the transition. The update affects the Irresponsible alcohol advertising policy , with violations potentially leading to account suspension. Advertisers targeting regions that only permit 0% alcohol advertising will now be required to apply for certification, as all previous permissions will be revoked on the implementation date. During the transition period, advertisers may notice multiple labels on ads. This is a known technical occurrence and will normalize automatically in subsequent weeks. Advertisers can view the policy preview linked in the help center to ens…
Google Ads Is Automating More Decisions, Your Measurement Needs To Get Better via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
As Google Ads automates more decisions, advertisers must define success beyond platform metrics, tracking leads and sales through to actual business outcomes. The post Google Ads Is Automating More Decisions, Your Measurement Needs To Get Better appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Microsoft Advertising New Updated Design Preview
Microsoft Advertising is previewing a new design and usability update for its ad platform. This update has a redesigned navigation and improved tables and layouts. This update should make managing your ad campaigns more efficient and intuitive.
Google Merchant Center Popular Products Enhanced Coverage & Insights
Google posted a note that it has made enhancements to the Merchant Center's Popular products reports. Specifically, the coverage and insights sections were improved back in June of this year, but Google just posted about this information on this past Friday afternoon.
Microsoft Forcing Copilot Users To Login But Not For Copilot Search Answers
Microsoft is now forcing all users to log in before using Copilot, but this currently does not apply to Copilot Search answers within Bing Search. When you try to go directly to Copilot, even by clicking on the Copilot button on Bing's home page, you are asked to sign into your account.
Google Confirms Search Spam Team Is Fighting & Well Resourced
Rajan Patel, VP of Engineering for Google Search, has confirmed that the Google Search team is still well-resourced in its fight against search spam. The spam team continues to update its spam algorithms, such as the latest Google August 2026 spam update, to help reduce spam in Google Search results.
Google AI Mode With Inline Shopping Carousel Ads & Single Ad Unit
Google is now showing shopping ads in a carousel format inline within AI Mode results. Plus, Google is also showing a similar ad unit at the bottom of the AI Mode results. We got a lot of ads in AI Mode now, and I guess Google is looking for more and more ways to monetize those ads.
Automatic and Manual Payments Renamed to Postpay and Prepay
Google Ads has updated its payment terminology in its billing system, changing 'Automatic payments' to Postpay and 'Manual payments' to Prepay . Advertisers will find these updates across various billing screens and related help pages. The change affects around 60 help pages, including glossaries and navigation links, where 'Postpay' refers to accounts accruing costs before being charged, and 'Prepay' refers to paying before ads run, with 'prepayments' for top-ups. Google clarifies that there are no changes to how or when charges occur, but highlights the need for updated documentation in training and support materials. For instance, the 'About the postpay payment setting' page now replaces its older counterpart, and instructions related to switching payment settings reflect the new terminology. Similarly, the section on country availability for payments now follows the 'Prepay' nomenclature. Here are a few examples: About the postpay payment setting Prepay payments Know your billing…
Performance Max Adds Channel Prioritization Controls
A new feature for Performance Max campaigns enables advertisers to adjust channel priorities based on their business importance. This Alpha allows advertisers to control how conversions are prioritized across channels, including Search , YouTube , Gmail , and more. Priority sliders can be set from Low to High , influencing CPA bid adjustments for each channel when using tCPA bidding. Lowering a channel's priority will lead Google Ads to increase the CPA bid for that specific channel, giving advertisers more control over Performance Max campaign performance. Adjustments are available for the following channels: Search Search Partners Discover YouTube Maps Gmail Display This feature gives advertisers more control over how Performance Max prioritizes different channels. This update were shared by Heidi Sturrock and Thomas Eccel . The post Performance Max Adds Channel Prioritization Controls appeared on PPC News Feed .
Swipeable Categories Tested in Google Search Ads
Google is testing swipeable categories in paid text ads. This feature allows users to swipe through a carousel of categories to see different sponsored results below. The update was shared Sachin Patel . The post Swipeable Categories Tested in Google Search Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
“Book Online” Buttons Expand to Search and Performance Max
Google is expanding the "Book Online" button through Reserve with Google partner integration to Search and Performance Max campaigns. Previously, this was only available on Google Local Service Ads and Maps ads. Clicking the Book button will direct searchers from Google Ads to an advertiser's scheduling platform to book appointments. This feature does not require additional setup from advertisers. It's worth noting that this update is not applicable to healthcare campaigns as Google Ads does not allow booking links or goals for these sectors. This update was shared by Michel van Luijtelaar and Barry Schwartz . The post “Book Online” Buttons Expand to Search and Performance Max appeared on PPC News Feed .
“Evaluating Sponsored Results” Animation Test in SERP
Google is testing a new loading animation for sponsored results in the mobile search interface, featuring the message "Evaluating sponsored results". The test includes the display of both Google and Gemini logos as ads load. Sachin Patel spotted this animation and shared a screenshot showing placeholder bars suggesting content is loading. Google clarified that the test is merely an experiment in signaling loading status to users, and Gemini is not used to load the ads. The Gemini logo is included to indicate the presence of AI features, but it serves no functional purpose in this experiment. This update was shared by Sachin Patel . The post “Evaluating Sponsored Results” Animation Test in SERP appeared on PPC News Feed .
Enhanced Insights for Popular Products Reports
Effective late June 2026 , enhancements were made to Merchant Center's Popular products reports. These updates now provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of product performance. This update also applies to the Merchant API and BigQuery . Read the official help page here: Enhanced coverage and insights for popular product reports . The post Enhanced Insights for Popular Products Reports appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Unveils Redesigned Navigation and Tables
Microsoft Advertising has revealed a new experience featuring redesigned navigation and enhanced tables aimed at improving user interaction. The updated interface improves clarity and consistency while facilitating seamless data interaction . Users can continue to use the classic experience if desired. Key updates include: Redesigned navigation : Improved clarity and consistency. Enhanced tables : More intuitive data interaction. Classic experience option : Ability to revert if needed. This update was surfaced by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Unveils Redesigned Navigation and Tables appeared on PPC News Feed .
Gemini Omni Enhances Video Creation in Google Ads
Google has added Gemini Omni to Google Ads, a new feature that enables multimodal video creation directly within Asset Studio in Google Ads. This innovation simplifies video production across various formats for marketers, fostering creative variety that drives ad performance. Getting started with Gemini Omni involves a four-step process: Anchor Your Brand by importing existing guidelines, Generate Concepts by entering prompts or selecting static assets, Refine with Prompts to fine-tune video scenes, and finally, Package & Deploy the content across Google and YouTube campaigns. Gemini Omni also features real-time editing capabilities and ensures brand integrity with reasoning-backed scene generation. This rollout will empower marketers by allowing easy production of both vertical and horizontal video formats while safeguarding content with SynthID watermarking for transparency. Gemini Omni is now available globally as a free feature in Google Ads, enhancing creative workflows for adve…
Microsoft Advertising Enhances Search Campaigns With AI Max
With the rollout of AI Max , advertisers will notice changes in their Search campaigns in Microsoft Advertising . The existing auto-generated assets for Responsive Search Ads will now appear as the text customization feature within AI Max, preserving previous AI settings during the transition. Also, AI Max settings can now be imported from Google Ads, allowing campaigns using scheduled imports to maintain their settings for future syncs. Additionally, new Search campaigns created in Microsoft Advertising will have AI Max enabled by default but can be turned off at any point. While Google has begun phasing out Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) , Microsoft Advertising continues to support DSA campaigns for now. Any upgraded DSA campaigns imported from Google Ads will be reverted to standard DSA campaigns in Microsoft Advertising. This article shares more details about the recent announcement that AI Max is now available globally . Read the official help page: Reimagining Search campaigns for the…
New AI Max Tools Can Help You Scale Search Campaigns
Google has introduced new features for AI Max , enhancing testing and planning tools to improve Search campaign performance. Starting in September 2026 , users can conduct multi-campaign A/B tests , allowing them to evaluate different budgets and ROI targets in one test. New capabilities in AI Max experiments also enable advertisers to maintain specific brand and location controls while conducting tests. Additionally, Performance Planner has been updated to allow users to view how changes in bidding or budget targets may affect overall campaign performance and apply suggested changes in a single click. Here's the official announcement: New AI Max tools can help you scale Search campaigns . The post New AI Max Tools Can Help You Scale Search Campaigns appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Enhances Creative Insights With A/B Testing
Google has oficially introduced new creative insights and experimentation capabilities for advertisers in Asset Studio . These features allow users to transition from creative guessing to data-driven decisions in their advertising campaigns. Advertisers will benefit from automated A/B testing of their creative assets that requires only one click, enabling them to validate performance instantly. The updated system offers real-time diagnostics , helping users understand the reasons behind their creative results. Additionally, advertisers can leverage proactive AI suggestions for optimizing aspects like logo placement and video trimming, ensuring their campaigns continuously improve. New functionalities include: One-Click “Save and Set Experiment”: Instantly creates an A/B test when editing any Performance Max ad or asset group. Creative Capabilities in Ask Advisor: Provides individual asset performance diagnostics directly. Asset Optimization for Demand Gen campaigns: Auto-suggestions a…
Google Introduces New Features in August Demand Gen Drop
Google has unveiled new tools as part of the August Demand Gen Drop . These enhancements are designed to help advertisers drive high-quality leads and acquire customers on YouTube and beyond. Key updates include: Messaging Integration: New ways for viewers to start conversations with brands directly from Demand Gen ads on messaging apps. Personalized Hotel Ads: Ads now showcase relevant hotel properties tailored to the right audiences. Multimodal Video Creation: Advertisers can create horizontal and vertical video assets within a single workflow in Asset Studio, increasing the relevance of ads for travelers through real-time offers. See the help page for more details: Reach your audience in new ways with August’s Demand Gen Drop. . The post Google Introduces New Features in August Demand Gen Drop appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Allows Cryptocurrency Ads in Australia and Brazil
Microsoft's finance policies for Australia and Brazil have been updated to allow cryptocurrency exchanges in Audience ads and Search ads . This change enables advertisers in these regions to promote cryptocurrency-related services more freely within Microsoft's advertising platforms. Among the key updates: Region : Australia and Brazil Policy Change : Allowing cryptocurrency exchanges in ads This update reflects a growing acceptance of cryptocurrency within advertising frameworks, aligning with evolving market dynamics and consumer interest. Read the official announcement here: Updated Finance Policies Allow Cryptocurrency Ads in Australia and Brazil . The post Microsoft Allows Cryptocurrency Ads in Australia and Brazil appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Tests ‘For You’ Label in Dynamic Remarketing Ads
Google is testing a new label in dynamic remarketing ads displayed on its Display Network . The label, reading ' FOR YOU ', appears in the top left corner of the ad, hinting that the ad content is personalized to users based on items they visited on the advertiser's website. This update was surfaced by Hana Kobzová . The post Google Tests ‘For You’ Label in Dynamic Remarketing Ads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Product Titles Report Reveals AI-Generated Product Names
Google Ads has introduced a new Product titles report that provides visibility into AI-generated product titles . This report will show customized product titles created by Google AI, alongside original product titles, impressions, clicks, and other metrics. The report details include: Customized Product Title: Title generated by Google AI. Original Product Title: Advertiser's original title. Impressions: Number of times ads have been displayed. Product Clicks: Total clicks on the product. CTR: Click-through rate. Cost: Total cost incurred. Avg. CPC: Average cost per click. Google AI will choose to display the more relevant title between the customized and the original one. This update was uncovered by Yash Mandlesha . The post Product Titles Report Reveals AI-Generated Product Names appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Shows Under Re-Review Policy Status
A new Under Re-Review policy status has been spotted in Google Ads, indicating that an ad is being reviewed again. In the shared example, the ad remains Eligible (Limited) , meaning it can still serve to a restricted audience, while the policy details simultaneously show Under Re-Review. It is not yet clear whether Google is rolling out this status more broadly, if it is currently appearing only in selected accounts, or what the status means exactly. This update was surfaced by Anthony Higman . The post Google Ads Shows Under Re-Review Policy Status appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google AI Overviews Pushing Searchers Into AI Mode, Drops Show More Button
Google Search is testing pushing searchers into AI Mode from the AI Overview by default, without having to click the "Show more" button. The new AI Overview experience that Google is testing shows a much fuller AI answer, like you'd get in AI Mode, and loads the follow up "Ask anything" box by default.
Microsoft Tightens Brazil Gambling Rules
Microsoft has updated its gambling policy for Brazil , incorporating specific licensing requirements for state lotteries and affiliates. As of August 19, 2026, online casinos, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports will require licensing from the Ministry of Finance and a local presence in Brazil. State lotteries must also secure licenses from local regulators and cannot target users outside their respective states. New rules now mandate that casino and sports betting websites use the .bet.br domain extension, while gambling aggregators and affiliates must be licensed by the National Revenue Agency (NRA) . The previous section titled ‘ Social or Sweepstakes Gaming ’ has been renamed to ‘ Social Gaming .’ Read the official announcement spotted by Hana Kobzová : Microsoft Tightens Brazil Gambling Rules . The post Microsoft Tightens Brazil Gambling Rules appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 28, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. A first, Google won't enforce a spam policy within the European region...
Update to Masthead Format Requirements
In September 2026 , Google will update the requirements for Google TV masthead ads . The new guidelines include the allowance of assets depicting alcohol , specific consumer electronics like headphones and computers, and content related to healthcare and medicines . Additionally, certain assets related to gambling , such as sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports targeting the U.S. and Canada, will also be permitted. However, other gambling-related content remains prohibited. The update will also introduce a list of common policy disapproval reasons for masthead ads and enhance the clarity of the policy page formatting. These changes do not alter the existing scopes or restrictions of the related policies, such as certification requirements and targeting limitations. Read the official announcement: Update to Masthead format requirements . The post Update to Masthead Format Requirements appeared on PPC News Feed .
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google GoTo Parameter Fight, PDFs Go Missing In Google, SEO For AI Responses & Google and Microsoft Ads News
Another week, more volatility within the Google Search results. Google is also swapping out direct links to go-to URL redirect links in its search results to protect...
Google Ads Book Buttons Expand To Search & Performance Max
Google is expanding the book button through Reserve with Google partner integration to Google Ads Search and Performance Max campaigns. Previously, I believe, this was only available on Google Local Service Ads and maps ads.
Google Announces Search Updates For Transparency, Actionable Updates Get Blog Posts
Google's John Mueller said Google "primarily" announces search updates to provide "transparency for site owners." He added that when Google publishes blog posts, updates policies, and help center documentation, that is an actionable announcement site owners could use.
Google Expands Direct Links to Over 500 Partners
Google has expanded the booking capabilities for Local Services Ads significantly, increasing the number of Reserve with Google partners from 20 to over 500 . This expansion allows businesses to automatically enable their partner booking links on their LSA, enhancing the direct booking experience for customers. If a business has an active booking link in its Google Business Profile , it will now be automatically linked to their Local Services Ads. Additionally, bookings will be tracked as paid leads within the LSA lead reporting feature. Advertisers can manage their booking preferences and partner links through the Profile & Budget > Settings section in their LSA dashboard, a system that will be carried over when LSA accounts transition into Google Ads in the coming months. This update was reported by Ginny Marvin . The post Google Expands Direct Links to Over 500 Partners appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Preferred Sources, Tailor Your Feed & Search Profiles Are Different
Google has two, well, maybe three, features that are being confused as one. The preferred sources, the tailor your feed and also search profiles. All kind of customize what you see across Google Search features including Google Search, AI Mode, Discover and so on. But they are all different features.
Google Alcohol Advertising Policy Update On September 30
Google will be updating its alcohol advertising policy on September 30, 2026. The update "revises country-specific guidelines, expands allowed advertising locations, and provides clearer details on specific advertiser requirements and responsibilities," Google wrote.
Google Search Having Indexing/Serving Issues August 28th
Google Search seems to be having indexing or serving issues in the past hour or so. New content from the past hour doesn't seem to be showing up in Google Search results. Content from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNN and other news sites that post content constantly are not showing much or any new pages in the Google search results.
Google AI Mode Asking Searchers To Sign In
Google is testing asking searchers to sign in within the AI Mode response. Google shows a big Google super logo and a sign in button that says "Sign in to save your..."
Google Search Now Lists The Supported Favicon File Formats
Google has updated the favicon search developer documentation to list out the supported favicon file formats. Google added this line that reads, "Google Search supports the following favicon file formats: BMP, GIF, ICO, PNG, JPEG, PPM, and TIFF."
Google Launches 2026 AI-Powered Holiday Playbook
Google has launched its 2026 AI-Powered Holiday Playbook , a comprehensive guide designed to help retailers capitalize on the holiday shopping season. This year's playbook emphasizes the dominance of AI in consumer shopping behaviors, detailing essential actions for marketers to adopt. Among the key takeaways are insights on the massive scale of AI usage, with over 2.5 billion users engaging with Google AI on a monthly basis. The report highlights significant shifts in shopping behavior, including a transition away from ChatGPT as 40% of consumers who utilize Google AI for shopping activities report decreasing usage of the platform for product information. Retailers are advised to: Enrich their product feeds Transform their data to leverage AI capabilities Drive sales through AI-powered campaigns Build agentic infrastructure to support these changes. For additional details, the playbook is available for download here . Read the official announcement here: Google Launches 2026 AI-Power…
Short Title Attribute Now Used in Performance Max
Google has updated the short_title attribute specifications in the Google Merchant Center , indicating it will now be used not only for Demand Gen campaigns but also for visual formats like YouTube and Discover within Performance Max campaigns . Previously, the help page stated that short titles would only be applicable to Demand Gen campaigns. The latest update also specifies that merchants should now aim for short titles under 40 characters (with a maximum of 65 characters ) to avoid truncation on mobile devices. Read the official announcement: Short title [short_title] . This update was uncovered by Hana Kobzová . The post Short Title Attribute Now Used in Performance Max appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Won't Enforce Its Site Reputation Policy Manual Actions In Europe
Google announced it will not enforce manual actions under the site reputation abuse policy in the European Economic Area (EEA) due to a mandate set by the European Commission, effective August 30, 2026. Google said searchers in the EEA will not benefit from Google's spam prevention for sites labeled for site reputation abuse.
October 2026 changes to the Display & Video 360 API and Structured Data Files
Today we’re announcing three unversioned changes to the Display & Video 360 API and Structured Data Files that will take effect in October 2026 and may impact your existing integrations. These changes will take place on the following dates and have been fully detailed on our Announced Deprecations page: Starting October 1, 2026 : You will no longer be able to exclude specific digital content labels using targeting , impacting available TARGETING_TYPE_DIGITAL_CONTENT_LABEL_EXCLUSION targeting options in the Display & Video 360 API and valid values for the Digital Content Labels - Exclude column in Line Item Structured Data Files. You will no longer be able to exclude the majority of sensitive categories using targeting , impacting available TARGETING_TYPE_SENSITIVE_CATEGORY_EXCLUSION targeting options in the Display & Video 360 API and valid values for the Brand Safety Sensitivity Setting and Brand Safety Custom Settings columns in Line Item Structured Data Files. Starting October 12,…
IRS Website Drops Heavily In Google Search
Over the past few days, the IRS website (and other government sites) has tanked within Google's search results. My gut feeling is that the federal government implemented some bot-blocking that was too aggressive and blocked Google, among others, resulting in Google not fully showing the IRS website. I believe the IRS implemented some fixes, and the website is slowly coming back in Google Search.
Google expands Demand Gen with messaging ads, travel tools and AI video creation
Google's Demand Gen tools aim to shorten the path from discovery to conversion while making it easier to scale creative across campaigns.
Reach your audience in new ways with August’s Demand Gen Drop.
Drive high-quality leads and acquire customers with new messaging, travel, and creative features in YouTube’s August Demand Gen Drop.
Google AI Mode Adds Flight Price Tracking, Mile Rates & Hotel Booking
Google is rolling out three new travel features within AI Mode in Google Search. These features include track flight prices, view points or miles rates, and book hotels directly within AI Mode, through your conversational search.
Moving from Google Display to Demand Gen: What you’ll lose and gain
New inventory and AI-powered creative come with trade-offs. See which controls and capabilities change in Demand Gen.
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 27, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Microsoft Advertising Documents Campaign-Level Tracking for PMAX Product URLs
Microsoft Advertising has updated its help page to include campaign-level tracking for Performance Max shopping product URLs . The help page outlines that dynamic parameters such as {AdGroup} can be used in campaign-level tracking templates to populate asset group values. A sample UTM string is provided, demonstrating how tracking can be structured to optimize performance for shopping campaigns. See the help page for more details: Microsoft Advertising Documents Campaign-Level Tracking for Performance Max Product URLs . This update was uncovered by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Advertising Documents Campaign-Level Tracking for PMAX Product URLs appeared on PPC News Feed .
Microsoft Advertising Rolls Out Aggregate Campaign Delivery Status
Microsoft Advertising has introduced a new aggregate delivery status feature in the Campaigns grid, now available for some users. This feature displays an overall delivery status for each campaign, summarizing the highest-priority issue affecting its performance. The updated help documentation provides a rewritten introduction on how campaign delivery statuses summarize campaign health and outlines a new procedure for reviewing a campaign's delivery status. Users can now click on the delivery status in the Delivery column to access diagnostic details and take necessary actions, such as reactivating a campaign or editing a budget. The campaign status updates immediately after a fix is applied without the need to reload the page. Visit the official help page: Microsoft Advertising Rolls Out Aggregate Campaign Delivery Status . The update was spotted by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Advertising Rolls Out Aggregate Campaign Delivery Status appeared on PPC News Feed .
Bing Tests Renaming Copilot Search Answer To AI Overviews
Microsoft is testing renaming the Copilot Search AI answer box at the top of the Bing Search results to AI Overviews. That is the name Google uses for its AI answer results in Google Search. Microsoft is still placing the Copilot logo with the box but trying to use the name "AI Overview" instead of "Copilot Search."
Google Ask Advisor Soon To Get Shared Memory Across Tools
Google posted on X that Ask Advisor, which is in Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Merchant Center and more Google tools, will soon "maintain shared memory across your Google marketing tools." When this rolls out, when you ask a question on Google Ads, and then ask a question on Google Analytics or Merchant Center, the previous chat history will be used to give you (hopefully) smarter answers on all those tools.
Microsoft Advertising Search Term Landing Page Report For AI Max
Microsoft Advertising, with the release of AI Max globally, has rolled out a new Search term landing page reporting template. This report gives advertisers "full insights into all parts of AI Max's performance," said Navah Hopkins, the Microsoft Ads Liaison.
Google Tag Manager Snippets Will Stop Honoring gtag(‘config’) Commands
Google has issued a warning on its help page regarding Google Tag Manager (GTM) snippets. The page states that GTM snippets will soon no longer recognize or wait for gtag('config') commands. Sites using GTM containers but relying on gtag('config','G-…'/'AW-…') for configuring Google Ads or GA4 tags are using an unsupported implementation. Affected container owners received notifications via email. The help page provides a list of supported versus unsupported implementations, with code examples for clarity. This update is related to the recent announcement about merging Google Tag and Google Tag Manager . Read the update found by Hana Kobzová here: Google Tag Manager Snippets Will Stop Honoring gtag('config') Commands . The post Google Tag Manager Snippets Will Stop Honoring gtag(‘config’) Commands appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads Tests Swipeable Categories For Sponsored Results Again
Google is testing once again testing swipeable Google Ads sponsored results, where you can swipe a carousel of categories to potentially change the sponsored results listed below. We saw this for shopping ads in October 2024 and Google has continued to test this since.
OpenAI Pins Shopping To ChatGPT Sidebar
OpenAI has pinned the Shopping tab to the left sidebar on ChatGPT. Clicking on it takes you to a landing page and a dedicated search page focused on shopping.
Google Ads New Troubleshoot Performance Fluctuations & Changes
Google Ads has released several new "Troubleshoot performance fluctuations and changes" across Google Ads, Performance Max, Search campaigns, Display, video, shopping, app, and more. At least I think these documents are new based on my tools, but the Wayback Machine has been offline, so I cannot double verify.
Ask Advisor Gets Cross-Platform Intelligence
Google has announced that new features are coming to Ask Advisor . It will maintain shared memory across Google Ads , Analytics , Merchant Center , and Google Marketing Platform . This functionality carries goals, past decisions, and performance data from one platform to another, aiming to maximize growth. Ask Advisor remembers what's important to users and their businesses, improving recommendations over time based on previous interactions and providing actionable data and guidance for campaigns. Users can move across products seamlessly, allowing them to finish tasks without interruption. Vojtěch Audy also discovered that you can see your previous chats . See the attached screenshot. Read the official announcement on X . The post Ask Advisor Gets Cross-Platform Intelligence appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Shortens Smart Bidding Adjustment Period
Google has updated its guidance on Smart Bidding adjustments , reducing the recommended waiting period from 3 conversion cycles or 4 weeks to 1-2 conversion cycles . This change reflects a shift in Google's assessment of how quickly its bidding systems can adapt to new strategies or goals. The updates affect multiple help documents within Google Ads, including the Target ROAS , Change Bid Strategy , and Smart Bidding Exploration best practices pages. This update implies that advertisers may experience shorter ramp-up periods when making changes, allowing for quicker data acquisition and performance evaluation. Read the official help page here: Google Shortens Smart Bidding Adjustment Guidance . The post Google Shortens Smart Bidding Adjustment Period appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Adds Loyalty Member Bidding Controls
Google Ads has added new customer retention controls for loyalty program members , giving advertisers more flexibility when optimizing campaigns for existing customers. Advertisers can now bid higher specifically for loyalty program members , separately from the existing option to adjust bidding for lapsed customers. Another setting lets advertisers show member benefits to loyalty program members in eligible countries. Google Ads API v25 also supports dedicated loyalty campaign goals , allowing advertisers to manage these retention settings programmatically. This update was uncovered by Arpan Banerjee . The post Google Adds Loyalty Member Bidding Controls appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API Developer Assistant v4.0.0 Released
A major release of the Google Ads API Developer Assistant is now available. It provides tools to assist developers with Google Ads domain expertise. This release supports both Antigravity and Claude Code , with dual-platform integration, including native support and custom slash commands. Performance has improved significantly, with reduced token consumption, faster response times, and a lower CPU utilization. See the help page for more details: Google Ads API Developer Assistant v4.0.0 . The post Google Ads API Developer Assistant v4.0.0 Released appeared on PPC News Feed .
Confirmed: Google Search Rolling Out google.com/goto Tracking Parameters
Google Search seems like it is rolling out the google.com/goto URL as a passthrough URL within the search results that it began testing in July 2026. This seems like a way for Google to help prevent scraping of its search results by third-party tools and AI companies but Google has not yet commented on this goto URL paramter.
Why Running YouTube Ads Like Search Will Burn Your Budget
Before funding YouTube Ads, businesses must fix attribution, build skip-proof creative, budget for algorithmic calibration, and simplify offers to one clear promise. The post Why Running YouTube Ads Like Search Will Burn Your Budget appeared first on Search Engine Journal .
Google Search Has A Special Dolly Parton Easter Egg 🦋
To commemorate the life of Dolly Parton, Google has released a new easter egg in its search results. If you search for [Dolly Parton] within Google Search...
Tell Google What You Want From AI Mode
Robby Stein, Google's Vice President of Product at Google Search, asked on X, "If you could get one feature shipped right now in AI Mode, what would it be?" So now is your chance to reply on X with what you want.
Google Moves Policy Manager to New Admin Location
Google has relocated its Policy Manager , which oversees 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 focuses on account verifications and certifications. This update was shared by Vojtěch Audy . The post Google Moves Policy Manager to New Admin Location appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Ads API Developer Assistant gets major AI agent upgrade
Google Ads API Developer Assistant v4.0.0 brings specialized API dev, troubleshooting and reporting tools into AI workflows.
Google Ads adds reporting for AI-generated product titles
Google’s new Product titles report shows advertisers which AI-generated product titles are being served and how they perform.
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 26, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Microsoft Pilots Audience Ads for Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Microsoft has updated its Financial products policy , now allowing Audience Ads for cryptocurrency exchanges as a pilot program. This applies in all markets where Microsoft permits cryptocurrency advertising, pending pre-approval under the Cryptocurrency advertising program . Previously, all advertising formats for cryptocurrency exchanges, including Display and Video/CTV ads , were prohibited. The help page reflects this change, stating that Audience Ads are now permitted, while Display and Video/CTV ads remain restricted. Find the official announcement here: Microsoft Pilots Audience Ads for Cryptocurrency Exchanges . This update was discovered by Hana Kobzová . The post Microsoft Pilots Audience Ads for Cryptocurrency Exchanges appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Search Ranking Volatility Continues Post Spam Update
As you know, Google's August 2026 spam update began on August 18th and concluded on August 21st. But the volatility has not calmed down since and I think it is time I document it. We've been seeing chatter within the SEO community, in addition to the third-party Google tracking tools pick up on volatility within the Google Search results after the conclusion of the August spam update.
Google Massively Expands Booking Partners On Local Services Ads
Google has expanded the booking partners for Local Service Ads from about 20 partners to over 500 partners. That is about a 2,400 percent increase. "We're vastly expanding booking capabilities for Local Services Ads to include more than 500 Reserve with Google booking partners '" up from just 20," Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison said.
Google AI Mode Also Gains Link Carousels For Developing Topics
Back in June, Google released link carousels for top stories or developing topics to AI Overviews. I was happy. Now, Google is also releasing this for AI Mode queries, which adds carousels of web pages directly in the AI Mode response.
Google Ads Customer Lifecycle Optimization Within Conversion Goals
Google Ads has placed Customer Lifecycle Optimization directly within the conversion goals section of the Google Ads platform.
Bing Tests Shorts Video Tab In Search Menu
Microsoft Bing is testing a new "Shorts" tab in the search menu on Bing Search. This should filter the results by short videos across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and so on. The tab is called "Shorts" and looks like a video play icon in vertical format.
Google Ads AI-Created Product Titles Report Beta
Google is beta testing a new Product title report within Google Ads. This is a special product title report for Al-created product titles. The report should show in your ads when they're more relevant than your original titles, Google wrote.
Google Ads Channel Settings Prioritization Slider (Alpha Test)
Google is testing a new "Channels" slider that lets you adjust how much you prioritize conversions from your Google Ads channels, such as Google Search, Google Partners, Discover, Maps, YouTube, the Display Network and Gmail.
Megérkeztek a ChatGPT-hirdetések Magyarországra – mit jelent ez a hazai cégeknek?
A magyar felhasználók is találkozhatnak reklámokkal a ChatGPT-ben. Az OpenAI 31 európai piacon indította el a ChatGPT Ads rendszerét, és Magyarország is köztük van. Összeszedtük, mi változik, kit érint, és mit jelent az online marketing piacnak. A fejlemények röviden Az OpenAI februárban kezdte tesztelni a hirdetéseket az Egyesült Államokban, majd fokozatosan nyolc további piacra vitte […] A Megérkeztek a ChatGPT-hirdetések Magyarországra – mit jelent ez a hazai cégeknek? bejegyzés először Marketing21 -én jelent meg.
Google Adds Draft Option for Video Uploads
Google Ads has added an Upload as drafts option for video assets in Asset Studio . This allows advertisers to save videos as drafts without immediately selecting any YouTube channel. Previously, videos had to be uploaded to a YouTube channel before being added to a campaign. This new feature offers more flexibility for advertisers needing to make changes to their videos or those without a designated YouTube channel yet. However, videos will still require uploading to YouTube before they can be used in a campaign. This update was discovered by Hana Kobzová . The post Google Adds Draft Option for Video Uploads appeared on PPC News Feed .
Local Customer Optimization for PMAX for Store Goals
Google has introduced Local customer optimization as a feature within Performance Max campaigns for store goals . This feature allows advertisers to prioritize reaching potential customers who are nearby and ready to take immediate actions, such as visiting or contacting the business. Local customer optimization helps businesses increase their local visibility by targeting users who are actively searching for services in a specific area. Key benefits include: Capture Ready-to-Act Customers: Reach users who plan routes or search for services near their business with immediate intent. Targeted Local Reach: Allocate campaign budgets to locally tailored ads across platforms such as Google Maps , Waze , and on Google Search . To enable this feature, advertisers can create a new Performance Max for store goals campaign, or toggle it on in existing campaigns. Notably, this feature is not compatible with online campaign goals or campaigns that include products from the Merchant Center. Visit…
Microsoft Advertising Rewrites Government Services Policy
Microsoft Advertising has updated its Government Services Policy , effective August 19, 2026. Under the new guidelines, third-party providers of government services, such as passports and visas, must now document their authorization in the target market and go through preapproval via the Government Services Advertising Program . Key updates include: The policy now allows ads from government entities and authorized third-party companies that can verify their authorization. Previously, only government entities were allowed running ads. Aggregators, affiliates , and lead-gen advertisers are prohibited from advertising government services. Advertisers must clearly state that they are unauthorized and disclose their service fees separated from any government fees. These updates respond to new market requirements specific to Australia, Canada , and the United Kingdom and significantly alter how government-related services can be marketed on the platform. Check the official announcement: Mic…
Google Search Showing Fewer PDF Files. But Why?
Google seems to be showing fewer and fewer PDF files, and when it does show PDF files, it seems not to show them from some pretty important sites, like IRS.gov, New York State, and some others. But in some cases we are seeing Google show PDF documents, without you having to explicitly filter for PDF file types.
Google Ads API Developer Assistant v4.0.0
A major release of the Google Ads API Developer Assistant is now available. This release transitions the assistant from a standalone project setup to a unified plugin architecture designed to bring specialized Google Ads API capabilities directly into AI agent workflows. What is it? The Google Ads API Developer Assistant brings deep Google Ads domain expertise into AI coding environments like Antigravity and Claude Code. It equips your AI assistant with specialized tools and guardrails. Functions include: Generate idiomatic code : Create tested, best-practice integration code across Python, Java, PHP, .NET, and Ruby. Validate GAQL queries : Automatically verifies syntax, field compatibility, date segmentation, and zero-impression rules before running queries. Inspect Protobuf schemas : On demand discovery of resource fields, data types, and enum definitions for any active Google Ads API version to ensure that GAQL query fields are valid. Troubleshoot API issues : Diagnose offline conv…
Google tests channel prioritization controls for Performance Max
Google is testing new Performance Max controls that let advertisers influence which channels the algorithm prioritizes.
Google brings Gemini Omni video creation to Google Ads
Google is adding Gemini Omni to Asset Studio, making it easier to turn creative briefs and brand assets into campaign-ready videos.
Google expands direct booking for Local Services Ads
Google is expanding LSA direct booking to more than 500 partners, making it easier for customers to book straight from ads.
Google Local Services Ads will charge for some missed calls starting Oct. 1
Google will start charging Local Services Ads advertisers for some missed and follow-up calls that qualify as valid leads from Oct. 1.
Shopper Incentive Gets “Limit Maximum Amount of Money Customers Can Receive
A new configuration option for Shopper Incentive has been spotted in Google Merchant Center . You can now choose whether to limit the maximum amount of money customers can receive . This update was discovered by Arpan Banerjee . The post Shopper Incentive Gets “Limit Maximum Amount of Money Customers Can Receive appeared on PPC News Feed .
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 25, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Tune In to Rethink 2026
Secure your virtual front row seat to Rethink 2026 to supercharge your growth with best practices from Search and YouTube Ads , plus the latest industry trends and consumer insights. Rethink Retail is scheduled for September 16 at 10 a.m. ET , offering insights to help marketers maximize success during the AI-powered holiday season. Rethink ROI follows on September 17 at 10 a.m. ET , focusing on the lead-to-sale journey with consumer insights and measurement strategies. You can register here: Tune in to Rethink 2026 . The post Tune In to Rethink 2026 appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google To Charge For Missed & Subsequent Calls On LSAs
Google sent out emails to some advertisers notifying them that starting October 1st, Google Local Service Ads will charge for some missed and subsequent calls over the platform. "On October 01, 2026, we are updating how and when you are charged for call leads originating from Local Services Ads," the email wrote.
Google Shows AI Overviews Above Stock Charts For Stock Price Queries
Google seems to be showing AI Overviews at the top of the search results page when you specifically search for stock price queries - such as for [GOOG stock] or [MSFT stock] and so on. I was able to replicate this myself and it is just weird to show the AI Overview at the top for this queries and it seems to make the search results less relevant.
Customer Lifecycle Optimization Feature Live in Google Ads
A new feature has been identified in Google Ads that enhances the Conversions Summary page with a dedicated Customer Lifecycle Optimization section. This section focuses on various aspects of the customer journey, including Customer Acquisition , Lapsed Customers , and Loyalty Program Members . Advertisers will find recommendations for optimizing conversions based on these lifecycle stages. Key aspects of the new feature include: Customer Acquisition: Identify existing customers and optimize toward acquiring new ones. Lapsed Customers: Use audience segments to identify past customers and adjust bidding strategies to bring them back. Loyalty Program Members: Assign different conversion values to loyalty members. Google requires audience segments to have at least 100 active members for some features in this section to be utilized effectively. This update encourages advertisers to shift their thinking beyond simple conversion tracking and consider the entire customer journey from lead to…
Google Ads Tests Loading Sponsored Results Using Gemini With Animation
Google Ads is testing loading the sponsored results in the mobile search results interface with an animation. It shows that Gemini is also involved by saying, "Evaluating sponsored results" and has a Google and Gemini logo as the ads load in.
Google: There Is Nothing Special To Do For Generative AI Responses In Search
Google's John Mueller said on Bluesky that there is nothing special for one to do for generative AI responses within Google Search. He wrote, "from our POV there's nothing really special you need to do for generative AI responses in search."
Google Says Google's Crawlers Don't Parse JSON
Gary Illyes from Google reiterated this morning that Googlebot, Google's crawler, does not parse JSON files. Instead, Googlebot just downloads the files and then the indexer does the rest.
Google Copyable Emojis In AI Overviews
About a year ago, Google added the ability to copy emojis directly from the search results in an answer box. Now, Google is also showing copyable emojis to AI Overviews in the Google Search results.
Demand Gen Now Allows Multiple Conversion Goals
Google is now allowing advertisers to set multiple conversion optimization goals in Demand Gen campaigns. In the updated interface, advertisers can configure multiple goals such as Submit lead forms , Contacts , Engagements , and YouTube follow-on views . Each goal can be enabled individually, providing more flexibility in tracking performance across different actions. The interface features an "Add goal" button for easy configuration and management. With these enhancements, advertisers can better tailor their marketing strategies to meet specific objectives and improve overall campaign performance. This update was reported by Ive Predovan . The post Demand Gen Now Allows Multiple Conversion Goals appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Introduces Multi-Source Conversions
Google has renamed conversions with multiple data sources to multi-source conversions across its documentation. This change applies to various elements such as page titles, anchor labels, and alert descriptions in Tag Diagnostics. Multi-source conversions allow advertisers to connect an existing website conversion action with an additional backend data source, such as a CRM or order database, via Data Manager or the Data Manager API. It helps advertisers to recover conversions lost due to ad blockers or browser restrictions without risking double counting. Key requirements include a unique transaction ID, conversion date/time, and at least one attribution identifier (GCLID, GBRAID, WBRAID, or hashed data). The feature is still in beta and not available for imported GA4 conversions or URL-based actions. Discover more about multi-source conversions here: Fix diagnostic alerts for multi-source conversions (beta) Boost your tag with additional data sources (beta) FAQs about Google Ads mul…
Google Tests “Only Bid for New Prospects” in Performance Max
Google has added a new option under Customer acquisition section to Performance Max campaigns, allowing advertisers to target new prospects while excluding existing customers and brand searchers. It's called "Only bid for new prospects" and is currently in beta. This update was spotted by Emirhan Bayutmuş . The post Google Tests “Only Bid for New Prospects” in Performance Max appeared on PPC News Feed .
Google Local Service Ads Expands Pre-Badge and Verticals
Google has announced significant updates to Local Service Ads (LSAs) as it continues to invest in the LSA product even during its transition to Google Ads. The newly introduced pre-badge ads enable businesses to receive leads after passing preliminary checks while completing required onboarding. However, these ads are unavailable for specific services such as garage door services, healthcare, and locksmiths. The expansion of eligible verticals addresses a top request from advertisers, shifting from broad categories to more specific services, thereby enhancing targeting capabilities. Additionally, updates to the Google Verified Ads badge exclusions have broadened restrictions, now including auto, beauty, and dining categories. This update was surfaced by Barry Schwartz . The post Google Local Service Ads Expands Pre-Badge and Verticals appeared on PPC News Feed .