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Category: Google

Explore YouTube’s New ‘Ask YouTube’ Conversational Search

I’ve recently learned that YouTube is testing an innovative search feature called “Ask YouTube”. This aims to make searching on YouTube more conversational and interactive, just like Dave from YouTube explained. It deepens our interaction with content, allowing us to explore topics with more depth.

What it looks like. I had the chance to see it in action through a captivating GIF:

How can I try it? If, like me, you’re curious to test this feature, visit youtube.com/new. There, you can opt-in to experience this new way of interacting with YouTube.

Currently, this experiment is only open to Premium users in the US who are 18 and older. However, Google has plans to expand access soon, which is promising for non-Premium users.

What it does. Here’s an example shared by Dave from YouTube:

“If you’re in the experiment, you can try it out by selecting “Ask YouTube” in the search bar. For instance, you might ask for help planning a 3-day road trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Instead of just a list of videos, you’d receive a detailed, step-by-step itinerary. The response incorporates a mix of long-form videos, Shorts, and informative text, featuring local tips and must-see stops. You can even ask follow-up questions, like “where can I find good coffee?” to discover local gems along your journey. This approach surfaces various videos and video segments, complete with titles and channel details, making it easier to find new creators and content that matches your search.”

Why we care. The integration of AI search is becoming prevalent in all Google platforms, and YouTube is joining this transformation. We should anticipate more AI-enhanced search experiences across various Google services as they evolve over time.

For more insights and updates, you can check out detailed coverage on Techmeme.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 28, 2026
Google’s New Stance: Personal Info in Spam Reports Unused
Recently, I noticed a significant change in Google’s approach to handling spam reports. They’ve updated their stance on whether they’ll process reports containing personally identifying information, and it feels like a big shift from what was communicated just a week prior.

On their updated spam report page, Google now clearly states that any spam report containing personally identifying information will not be processed. This revision comes after their previous announcement that such information could be passed on to the site in question.

Here’s What’s Changed: Google has added a highlighted note on their official spam report page, emphasizing two points:

(1) Avoid including personally identifying information in your spam reports.

(2) If you do include such information, your submission won’t be processed.

Google’s explanation reads:

“Don’t include any personally identifying information in your submission. To comply with regulations, we must send the submission text to the site owner to help them understand the context of a manual action, if one is issued. Because of this, we won’t process your submission if we determine it contains personally identifying information to protect privacy. Not including such information fully ensures your information is safe and prevents your submission from being discarded.”

Previously: Just a week ago, as we documented, Google allowed:
- “If we issue a manual action, we send whatever you write in the submission report verbatim to the site owner to help them understand the context of the manual action.”
This policy raised many eyebrows across the industry. Concerns were not just about being flagged for identifying competitors or spammers, but there were also legal implications. It seems Google is now aligning with regulations to avoid sharing personally identifying data.

Why You Should Care: If you’re aiming to submit a spam report to Google, make sure it doesn’t contain any personally identifying information. Should you inadvertently include such information, rest assured that it won’t reach the reported site and the report simply won’t be processed. You can always resubmit your report without these details.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
April 24, 2026
Google’s Job Data Bug: What’s Happening with Search Console?

I’ve noticed that Google is currently investigating an issue with the Google Search Console. Specifically, this concerns the data logging and reporting of “Job listing” and “Job details” search appearance filters.

On April 16th, a bug began affecting how this data is logged, causing Google to report zero clicks and impressions for job-related reports. Although traffic is still being received, it’s not being recorded correctly.

What Google said. According to an update from Google, “A logging error is preventing Search Console from reporting impressions and clicks for ‘Job listing’ and ‘Job details’ Search appearance types from April 16, 2026 onward. We’re working to resolve this issue. This issue affects data logging only.”

Complaints. I’ve also seen numerous SEOs voicing their concerns on social media, as shared in a tweet by Max Peters. The bug seems to impact impressions and clicks, but the traffic still comes through other measurement methods like google_jobs_apply UTM.

Why we care. If you’ve noticed a decrease in search data for job listings, rest assured, it’s due to this bug on Google’s side. Your listings are likely still active and receiving traffic, although this isn’t reflected in Search Console at the moment.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 23, 2026
Updated Rules Clarify YouTube Election Ads Policy

Ever since learning about Google’s latest update to its YouTube and Discover Feed ad requirements, I’ve been intrigued by the clarification on election-related ads. This change, effective April 2026, doesn’t alter enforcement but provides much-needed transparency.

Why it matters. As someone navigating the complex landscape of YouTube and Discover ad placements, I understand how tightly regulated these spaces are. Historically, election ads have been surrounded by ambiguity. Now, the update helps clear up that confusion without imposing additional restrictions.

What’s new (and what’s not). It’s interesting to note that election ads are now clearly exempt from specific YouTube and Discover Feed ad requirements. However, no changes in enforcement mean that if compliance was achieved before, there’s no need for advertisers to shift gears.

Why we care. With this update, I’ve noticed how Google aims to eliminate the haze surrounding election ads on YouTube and Discover. Although these ads don’t need to meet placement-specific requirements, adherence to Google Ads policies remains essential, offering clearer guidance and more predictable campaign launches.

Zoom in. For election ad campaigns, this exemption is beneficial since these ads aren’t required to comply with the targeted YouTube and Discover Feed ad guidelines. However, advertisers must pass the Election Ads verification within the ad’s targeted region.

Between the lines. It’s vital to recognize this as a documentation clarification rather than a policy change. Google is distinguishing between the unique requirements for YouTube and Discover ads and its overarching ads policy framework.

What advertisers should do. If you’re running political campaigns, it’s crucial to maintain your verification status and continue adhering to Google Ads policies. Despite the exemption, keeping up with regulations is necessary for a smooth advertising process.

Dig deeper. For more details, check out the full YouTube and Discover Feed ad requirements (April 2026).

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 20, 2026
Google Ads API: Embrace Enhanced Security with Multi-Factor Authentication

As someone who frequently works with Google’s advertising tools, I know firsthand how crucial security is. Starting April 21, Google is implementing a mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirement for its Ads API. This is a significant move towards enhancing security, but it’s one that might need us to rethink our authentication workflows.

Driving the news. Google will gradually enforce mandatory MFA for the Ads API, aiming for complete roll-out just weeks after the initial date. This means we all need to be prepared.

This update directly impacts those of us generating new OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens, as it mandates a more secure authentication process.

What’s changing. We’ll now need to add another step in verifying our identity. This could be in the form of a phone prompt or an authenticator app, alongside the usual password.

Existing OAuth tokens we’re already using will stay unaffected, but for any fresh authentications, MFA will become the default requirement. If we’re not yet using two-step verification, it’s time to set it up.

Why we care. This shift influences how we manage and access our Google Ads data through various APIs and connected tools. While it undeniably enhances security and mitigates unauthorized access risks, it could also require us to adjust existing workflows, especially when generating new credentials often. Preemptive preparation can save us from potential disruptions.

Who’s affected. If your applications or workflows rely on user-based authentication, you’re in for some changes.

User authentication workflows: These will need MFA for new token setups.

Service account workflows: Thankfully, these remain untouched. They’re actually recommended for automated or offline scenarios.

The requirement isn’t limited to the API alone. We’ll also see it in tools like Google Ads Editor, Scripts, BigQuery Data Transfer, and Data Studio.

The big picture. As we lean more heavily on ad platforms for sensitive data and automation, security can’t be pushed aside. This need grows as API access proliferates across various teams, tools, and integrations.

Yes, but. While boosting security against unauthorized intrusions is welcome, we must consider the challenges it introduces. Especially for teams like ours that often create new credentials or depend on manual authentication flows.

The bottom line. Google’s decision to make MFA standard for Ads API access marks a shift towards more stringent security policies across advertising tools and workflows.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 17, 2026
Explore Google’s AI-Powered Chrome: Seamless and Efficient

I’ve recently discovered that Google’s latest update to Chrome now offers an ingenious AI Mode, designed to make my browsing experience more streamlined and efficient. With this new enhancement, I can dive deeper into searches with fewer tabs, making my workflow smoother than ever before.

What’s new? Let me walk you through the three exciting features in Chrome’s AI Mode. First up is the ability to search side-by-side. Now, when I click on a link in AI Mode on my desktop, the related webpage opens right next to it. This setup allows me to easily compare details, visit relevant sites, and ask follow-up questions without losing the context of my search. Here’s how it looks:

Another fantastic addition is the ability to search across my tabs. Whether on desktop or mobile, I can now tap the new “plus” menu on the New Tab page or within AI Mode to incorporate recent tabs into my search. This feature helps AI Mode provide more customized responses and suggest additional sites worth exploring.

Lastly, there’s the multi-input and easy tool access feature. I can mix and match various tabs, images, or files such as PDFs, and bring that context directly into AI Mode. Plus, tools like Canvas and image creation are readily accessible wherever I see the new plus menu in Chrome.

Understanding why this matters to us as users is crucial. These Chrome-specific features launched initially for U.S. English users unlock greater AI Mode capabilities. While currently limited to Chrome users, they clearly indicate Google’s forward-thinking direction in AI integration.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 16, 2026
Enhance Your Ad Strategy: Google Introduces Campaign-Level Appeals
I’ve recently discovered a new tool that could significantly streamline how I manage my ad campaigns. Google has rolled out a feature that adds more precision to policy appeal processes, potentially saving time and reducing the chance of resubmitting outdated ads.

Driving the news. With this update, Google now allows me to select ads from specific campaigns when requesting a re-review. This is part of Google’s effort to simplify ad appeals, reducing the bulk of unnecessary submissions that can bog down the process.

Before this change, I often found myself resubmitting all eligible ads across an account, including those from older campaigns that were not relevant to current policies.

This was not only time-consuming but also cluttered the review process with ads that hadn’t been updated yet.

What’s new. Now, with the “Select eligible campaigns” option available on the Google Ads policy violations page, I can fine-tune my appeals. This means I can send only the ads that have been recently updated, while ignoring outdated campaigns.

Here’s how this benefits me:
- Reduce unnecessary inclusions of old ads,
- Simplify and expedite the appeal process,
- Focus on solving current ad issues effectively.
Why we care. For those of us handling large accounts, being able to fine-tune bulk submissions by campaign makes managing widespread disapprovals or policy issues more efficient. It not only speeds up the process but minimizes confusion when dealing with multiple policy amendments at the same time.

The bottom line. While it might not be a groundbreaking product launch, this update is a workflow enhancement that many advertisers like myself have long been waiting for. It offers greater control and less hassle when addressing disapproved ads.

First spotted. Hana Kobzová at PPC News Feed was the first to notice this valuable update.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
April 15, 2026
Google Phases Out Dynamic Search Ads for AI Max: What You Need to Know

As I delve into the latest updates from Google, I discovered that they’ll be retiring Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) in favor of their newer AI Max toolset. This transition will begin in September, and it’s bound to impact those using DSA, automatically created assets (ACA), and campaign-level broad match settings.

It’s fascinating to learn that Google announced AI Max for Search campaigns will exit beta, with “hundreds of thousands” of advertisers already onboard globally. I find this shift intriguing as it hints at the increasing reliance on AI-powered tools in digital advertising.

Starting September, my eligible campaigns utilizing DSA, ACA, or broad match will automatically be migrated to AI Max. This means Google will no longer support the creation of new DSA campaigns through their various platforms.

Why does this matter to us? Embracing AI Max beforehand allows us better control over campaign settings. Google mentions this change could potentially lead to an average 7% improvement in conversions or conversion value while maintaining the same efficiency.

According to Google, AI Max offers more conversions or conversion value at a similar cost per acquisition (CPA) or return on ad spend (ROAS) for non-retail sectors. It achieves this by using comprehensive features like search term matching, text customization, and URL expansion.

A Brief History: DSA has been a valuable tool for capturing traffic beyond keyword-focused campaigns, thanks to its dynamic headline generation and landing page redirection. However, changes in consumer search behavior have prompted Google to innovate further.

AI Max aims to enhance search campaigns by integrating broad real-time intent data beyond traditional landing page signals. It’s designed to adapt to the increasingly complex search landscape we navigate today.

Understanding AI Max: This feature maximizes reach, personalizes ad content, and provides more control over brand, location, and text settings.

So, what should we do now? Google encourages us to make the switch before September to ensure smoother transitions and continuity in our campaigns.

Phase 1: Voluntary Upgrades is happening now. DSA users like me can leverage new tools to smoothly migrate campaign data and settings. Meanwhile, ACA and broad match users will find prompts nudging them toward AI Max.

Phase 2: Automatic Upgrades begins in September, converting dynamic ad groups in DSA campaigns to standard ones while preserving significant settings. ACA and broad match campaigns will migrate with essential features enabled by default.

The Bottom Line: Google’s move to make AI Max the standard signifies a shift towards AI-driven strategies. By acting now, I can test different settings and fine-tune results before the mandatory switch.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 15, 2026
Unexpected Google Ads Disapprovals Disrupt Campaigns
I’ve noticed a growing concern among advertisers, as many of us are experiencing unexpected disapprovals from Google Ads. These disapprovals are often linked to DNS and 500 server errors, even when our websites seem to be functioning perfectly fine. This issue is raising serious questions about the platform’s reliability and our campaign’s performance stability.

Earlier this week, as a passionate participant in PPC advertising myself, I started hearing about these widespread issues from fellow advertisers. Multiple agencies and their clients were unexpectedly affected.

For instance, Ryan Berry, the Managing Director at Cornerhouse Media, reported that over 1,500 ads were disapproved in a single account at 1:30 p.m. UTC. Others have been receiving overnight emails informing them of disapproved ads.

Why this matters to us. When our ads are suddenly disapproved, it can abruptly halt traffic, leads, and revenue, even if our websites are working just fine. If Google’s systems are mistakenly flagging issues, like DNS or server errors, we are forced to waste precious time troubleshooting problems we didn’t create. This highlights the urgent need for quicker responses and escalations when such platform glitches occur.

Here’s what fellow advertisers and I have observed:
- DNS errors flagged, even when our IT teams find no issues.
- HTTP 500 errors noted, despite landing pages loading normally.
- Repeated disapprovals across numerous accounts.
Charlotte Osborne, a Google Ads trainer, mentioned encountering two separate cases involving erroneous DNS and 500 errors with no discovered client-side issues. Similarly, Google Advertising specialist Joshua Barr has been dealing with a surge of disapproval emails at night for weeks.

What’s probably occurring. Google’s ad review process employs automated crawlers to evaluate landing pages. If these crawlers experience temporary server issues, DNS lookup failures, redirects, or timeouts, it could lead to ad disapprovals under the “destination not working” policy.

This means that even if:
- our sites are live for users,
- the issue is only temporary,
- or the problem lies with Google’s crawlers,
we could still face ad disapprovals.

What actions we should take now:
- Verify Google Ads policy manager for precise reasons behind disapprovals.
- Test landing pages from different locations and devices.
- Review DNS uptime, redirects, and CDN/firewall settings.
- Submit appeals for disapprovals that are clearly incorrect.
- Document impacts on an account level for potential platform-wide issues.
Bottom line. This situation serves as a stark reminder that our hard work on strategy can be undermined by such technical glitches. When Google’s systems fail, it risks both our advertising spend and our potential leads.

Initial reports. Ryan Berry in the UK initially spotted these issues, alongside Anthony Higman, who detected similar problems in the US.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
April 14, 2026
Meta Set to Surpass Google in Global Ad Revenue by 2026

I’ve been closely following the dynamic world of digital advertising, and there’s a significant shift on the horizon. Meta Platforms is expected to surpass Google in global ad revenue by 2026. This marks a move towards platforms that emphasize automation and performance.

Driving the news. According to eMarketer, Meta is predicted to generate $243.46 billion in ad revenue globally this year, just edging out Google’s projected $239.54 billion.

Meta is anticipated to capture 26.8% of global ad spending, whereas Google is estimated to hold 26.4%. This would be the first time Google has ever lost its leading position in digital ad revenue.

Why we care. Meta’s growth indicates that brands are getting more value from automated tools focused on performance. This trend may influence how brands allocate budgets between Meta and Google, reminding us that platform dynamics are evolving rapidly and media strategies need to stay flexible.

Catch up quick: In the digital advertising realm, Google has long dominated with its Search and Display ads, as well as YouTube.

However, their primary ad business is growing slower than previous years.

On the other hand, Meta’s success stems from advancements in AI-driven ad automation, enhanced performance metrics, and its vast reach across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Why Meta is winning now. Advertisers are focusing more on platforms that offer substantial reach and a measurable return on investment.

Meta’s strength lies in its rapid automation of creative and targeting processes, campaign optimization with minimal manual input, and easy demonstration of ROI. This approach is particularly enticing in an economic climate where marketers need to achieve more with reduced budgets.

Yes, but. Google remains a colossal entity and continues to grow.

Its search business is one of the most profitable advertising engines globally, and YouTube consistently draws in brand budgets. However, the company faces challenges from AI search advancements, antitrust scrutiny, and slowing growth in traditional search advertising.

The bottom line. Meta surpassing Google in ad revenue would signify more than just a symbolic milestone — it represents a significant power shift towards platforms that enhance advertising automation, measurement, and scalability.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 14, 2026

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