
Recently, I discovered that Google is offering advertisers more control over data flow, which is especially helpful when user consent is limited.
Driving the news. There’s a new tool out called Data Transmission Control, appearing in Google Ads. This enhancement builds on Advanced Consent Mode by providing a more detailed approach to managing how advertising, analytics, and diagnostic data are shared.
What’s new. As an advertiser, I can now independently adjust the flow of advertising data, behavioral analytics, and diagnostic data. If ad_storage consent is not given, I have two choices: either allow limited data with identifiers removed (which still supports conversion modeling), or entirely block the data until consent is obtained. Interestingly, I can still allow behavioral analytics even if ad data is restricted, or choose to block it completely.
Where to find it. I found the setting hidden within Data Manager → Google Tag (Manage) → Manage data transmission. It’s easy to overlook if you’re not looking carefully.
Why we care. Traditionally, Consent Mode was all about reflecting user choices. Now, with Data Transmission Control, I can decide—right down to the tag level—what data flows when there’s no consent, aligning more closely with privacy-focused strategies.

It’s empowering to have this degree of control, especially when trying to balance privacy compliance against performance metrics, which is crucial in markets with strict regulations.
Key details. It’s important to note that Consent Mode must be enabled for this feature to function. It’s set up via the user interface in Google Ads, Google Analytics, or Campaign Manager 360, and applies only to Google tags. If the feature isn’t enabled, everything stays the same, but once consent is given, data transmission resumes automatically.
First seen. This update was first reported by Google Ads expert Thomas Eccel, who shared his insights on LinkedIn.

The bottom line. The introduction of Data Transmission Control provides a subtle yet powerful way for me to ensure tighter data collection control without fully losing out on valuable measurement capabilities.
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


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