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Tag: Advertising

Google’s AI Ad Disclosures Bring Needed Transparency

I’m watching Google add a new layer of AI transparency to ads across Search, YouTube, and Discover. The company said its new How this ad was made section will appear inside My Ad Center, giving people a clearer view of whether AI played a role in the ad creative they see.

The panel will show whether an ad was created or modified with AI. I see this as a meaningful expansion of Google’s ad transparency tools, especially as more advertisers rely on generative AI to produce images, copy, and other campaign assets at scale.

What it looks like. I’ll be able to access the disclosure from the three-dot menu or the info icon on an ad. In the screenshot Google shared with Search Engine Land, the My Ad Center panel includes a dedicated section explaining how the ad was made.

Google will handle some disclosures. When advertisers use Google’s own generative AI ad tools, Google will automatically add the disclosure inside My Ad Center.

Google’s My Ad Center adds a clear AI disclosure, helping users see when ad creative may have been created or edited with generative AI.

For advertisers using third-party AI tools, Google said they will have control over whether to disclose AI use. Depending on local requirements, an AI label may also appear directly on the ad, either automatically or after the advertiser uses that control.

Why I care. AI-generated ads are getting easier and faster to create, so disclosure matters more than ever. I want to know when creative was made or changed with AI because requirements can vary by market, platform, and ad format.

Existing ad rules still apply. Google said its ad policies still prohibit misleading or deceptive advertising, whether AI was involved or not. This update adds more visibility into how an ad was made, but it does not change the requirement that advertisers clearly identify who they are and what they are promoting.

A bold Google logo sits atop layered, colorful digital documents, evoking the fast-moving world of search marketing, ad formats, campaign assets, and platform updates.

Earlier AI safeguards. Google already embeds imperceptible signals, including SynthID, into content created with its generative AI tools. Election advertisers are also required to disclose synthetic or digitally altered content in political ads, under a policy Google introduced in 2023.

The announcement. Google shared more details in Expanding AI transparency in ads.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 9, 2026
Google Clarifies Age Estimation Ads Policy for Advertisers

I’m watching Google update its advertising policy to make clearer how certain ads are limited while the company estimates a user’s age. The change gives advertisers more transparency as Google expands its age assurance technology worldwide.

What I’m seeing: Google has renamed its Default Ads Treatment policy to “Categories restricted while Google is estimating a user’s age.” To me, that wording matters because it makes the policy sound less like a permanent restriction and more like a temporary safeguard while Google’s systems work out whether a user is old enough to see certain types of ads.

What’s changing: I see three main updates here: the policy has a clearer name, the language now emphasizes that these protections are interim measures during the age estimation process, and enforcement remains unchanged.

What’s different: Google has also narrowed the list of ad categories restricted while a user’s age is being estimated. Previously, the restricted categories included adult content and pornography, alcohol, gambling, and shocking content.

Under the updated policy, I now see only three restricted categories: adult content and pornography, alcohol, and gambling. Shocking content no longer appears on that restricted list.

Why I care: This update does not introduce new advertising restrictions, but it does make the policy easier to understand. For advertisers in affected verticals, the key takeaway is that these limits are tied to Google’s age estimation process, not a broader or permanent policy shift.

The bottom line: I do not see any operational change for advertisers, but Google’s updated policy makes it much clearer that restrictions on adult, alcohol, and gambling ads are temporary safeguards while a user’s age is being estimated.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Google Ads All Campaigns Redesign Makes Navigation Easier

I’m seeing Google Ads roll out a redesigned All Campaigns selector, and the goal is clear: make it easier to move through large, complicated account structures without wasting time hunting for the right campaign.

What’s happening is that Google is refreshing the All Campaigns selector across Google Ads with a cleaner layout and better navigation tools. For advertisers who manage bigger accounts, this should make day-to-day campaign work feel more organized.

The selector has also been moved to a new location in the interface, which means I’d expect some advertisers to need a short adjustment period before the new placement feels familiar.

The biggest improvement I notice is the new expandable hierarchy view. Campaigns now appear in a structure that makes campaign groups and nested setups easier to browse, especially when an account has grown beyond a simple list of campaigns.

Google has also added search inside the selector, which should help advertisers quickly find specific campaigns or campaign groups instead of manually scanning through long account lists.

Why I care: this update could save meaningful time for anyone managing large Google Ads accounts. When campaigns are split across multiple groups or complex organisational structures, faster navigation can make daily optimization work less frustrating.

The bottom line is that Google’s redesigned All Campaigns selector is meant to streamline campaign management with a clearer hierarchy and built-in search, helping advertisers navigate complex accounts more efficiently.

The update was first spotted by performance marketer Vivek Gupta on LinkedIn. Since the rollout is gradual, I would not expect it to be available in every Google Ads account immediately.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Why ChatGPT Ads Are Becoming Much Harder to Dismiss

I am seeing OpenAI point to early momentum in its advertising business, with executives saying ChatGPT users are dismissing ads less often and engaging with them more. For me, that makes ad dismissal a key signal to watch as OpenAI looks for revenue beyond subscriptions and enterprise AI.

What is happening. OpenAI says ChatGPT ad dismissals have dropped by 50% since the company launched its advertising business in February. I read that decline as OpenAI’s way of showing that its ads are becoming more relevant, because the company treats dismissals as a proxy for whether users find an ad useful or intrusive.

The update came from OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser, who framed relevance as a central focus for the company as it builds advertising into ChatGPT.

Why I care. If users are becoming more open to ads inside ChatGPT, I see conversational AI becoming a more serious advertising channel. A 50% drop in dismissals suggests better relevance and stronger engagement, which could give brands a way to reach people during high-intent, task-focused moments instead of relying only on interruptive ad formats.

Why relevance matters. I think ads inside AI experiences face a much higher bar than traditional display ads. People usually come to ChatGPT to complete a task, answer a question, compare options or solve a problem, so an ad that feels disconnected can quickly create friction and damage trust.

According to Dresser, OpenAI has been focused on making the format useful. “This form factor is about usefulness,” she said. “That’s great for the consumer, great for the user.”

The bigger picture. I see these results as an early look at how advertising may evolve inside generative AI platforms. Instead of interrupting content consumption, AI-powered advertising is moving toward recommendations that fit the user’s intent and the conversation already underway.

That shift means success may depend less on grabbing attention and more on being genuinely helpful. The lower dismissal rate suggests OpenAI is making progress toward that goal, even if the ad model is still early.

Competition extends beyond advertising. I also see this update in the context of OpenAI expanding its business on multiple fronts. While it builds an ads business, the company is also competing for enterprise AI spending against rivals such as Anthropic.

That creates pressure for OpenAI to diversify revenue streams while still protecting the user experience across both consumer and enterprise products.

What I am watching next. If OpenAI keeps improving ad relevance while maintaining engagement, I think ChatGPT could become a meaningful new advertising platform and a useful early blueprint for how ads work in conversational AI environments.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Google Tests Strongest Match Labels for Search Ad Visibility

I’m watching a small but meaningful Google Search ads experiment that could change how people notice paid results. Google is testing labels that call out the ads it believes are most relevant to a user’s search query, which could affect both user trust and advertiser performance.

What’s happening. Google has started testing new Search ads labels such as “Strongest match” and “Strong match” on select ads in search results. Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed the experiment and said the labels are meant to help users quickly spot ads that closely match their search intent.

For now, I see this as a limited test. Google says it is only appearing for a small percentage of users in the U.S., so most advertisers may not notice it in the wild yet.

Why I care. This kind of visual signal could influence which ads users view as the most relevant and trustworthy. If Google expands the experiment, advertisers with stronger relevance and quality signals may gain more attention, while weaker or less aligned ads could become easier to ignore.

How it works. According to Google, these labels rely on the same ad quality and relevance signals already used inside its advertising systems. In other words, Google is not introducing a new ranking factor here. It is making its relevance assessment more visible directly in the Search results interface.

I see the goal as fairly straightforward: help users identify the ads most likely to answer what they were searching for, without making them interpret relevance entirely on their own.

Why Google is testing it. Google says the experiment is designed to improve the Search ads experience for both consumers and advertisers.

For users, the label could act as another cue that a paid result may be especially useful for their query.

For advertisers, it could help highly relevant ads stand out in front of high-intent audiences, which may lead to stronger engagement and higher click-through rates if the feature performs well.

Reading between the lines. I view this test as part of Google’s broader push to make ad relevance more visible and more understandable to searchers.

Historically, relevance signals have mostly worked behind the scenes through auctions, quality systems, and ranking logic. By showing those signals more clearly, Google may be trying to build more trust in sponsored results while also rewarding advertisers that closely match their ads to search intent.

The timing also matters. Search platforms are under ongoing pressure to prove that their ad experiences are useful, high quality, and worth users’ attention. A label like this gives Google another way to frame certain ads as more helpful, not just more prominent.

What I’m watching next. Google has emphasized that this is an early-stage experiment and has not said whether “Strongest match” or “Strong match” labels will become permanent. For now, I would treat this as another reminder that ad relevance, landing page quality, and alignment with user intent remain central to Google’s direction for Search advertising.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Unlock UK Ad Potential with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ad Manager
I’ve discovered an exciting development for UK advertisers as OpenAI launches the ChatGPT Ads Manager in beta. This new tool offers businesses an innovative way to engage with a potentially transformative advertising channel.

OpenAI is expanding its advertising tools, providing UK businesses with early access to the self-serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT. This is a clear indication of OpenAI’s commitment to scaling its advertising capabilities on their fast-evolving AI platform.

What’s happening. According to a recent email from OpenAI, the Ads Manager Beta is now available for UK businesses, allowing advertisers to explore the platform’s potential.

The self-serve interface is user-friendly, built to help businesses quickly set up accounts and dive into campaign management with ease.

How it works. The dashboard is organized into four key areas: campaigns, tools, billing, and settings, ensuring digital marketers find the navigation intuitive and straightforward.

The platform’s interface feels familiar, with campaign controls and user management features easily accessible through streamlined navigation.

For agencies. OpenAI suggests that agencies and freelancers should avoid creating accounts on behalf of their clients.

Clients should independently:
1. Create their own Ads Manager account.
2. Go to Settings → Users → Invites.
3. Invite agency partners with suitable permission levels.
Once invited, users receive an email to accept access and can then switch between client accounts on the platform.

The catch. Unlike Google Ads’ MCC structure, current limitations mean users can’t manage multiple accounts simultaneously in a centralized way. Account switching is required for individual access.

Why we care. The UK launch of Ads Manager represents a significant opportunity for brands and agencies to familiarize themselves with the interface and workflows before it gains wider acceptance.

By eliminating upfront billing requirements and simplifying account creation, OpenAI reduces barriers for marketers eager to explore ChatGPT’s burgeoning advertising environment.

What to watch. The rollout in the UK suggests OpenAI is transitioning from experimental phases to establishing a scalable advertising platform.

Advertisers will soon need to consider inventory, targeting options, measurement tools, and how ads integrate into ChatGPT conversations.

For now, marketers are getting a firsthand look at this promising new ad infrastructure that could shape OpenAI’s future advertising success.

First spotted. This update was first shared by Chris Ridley, Head of Paid Media at Evoluted, on LinkedIn.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
June 19, 2026
Discover the Power of Google’s New AI Agent for Ad Manager

I’m excited to share that Google has taken a significant step in integrating Artificial Intelligence into publisher workflows by launching a new AI agent called Ask Ad Manager. This innovative tool leverages a Gemini-powered assistant to help us analyze performance and take action seamlessly through a user-friendly chat interface.

Google is embedding AI into publisher workflows, making it easier to analyze performance and act on insights from a chat interface.

Incorporating generative AI into Google Ad Manager, Ask Ad Manager is specifically crafted to assist publishers like myself in analyzing performance, troubleshooting issues, and navigating the Ad Manager platform effortlessly by using natural language.

The beta version is set to roll out this month, marking Google’s deeper foray into AI-supported ad operations.

What’s happening. Ask Ad Manager acts as a conversational AI agent dedicated to Google Ad Manager users who are publishers. Unlike conventional reporting tools, it allows us to pose questions in everyday language and receive tailored answers, recommendations, and reports based on our own Ad Manager data.

Google assures that this tool is engineered to help us swiftly transition from analysis to action, drastically reducing the time spent on generating reports, diagnosing issues, and navigating the Ad Manager platform.

What it can do:

Troubleshoot delivery issues. Instead of manually gathering reports to understand why certain line items are underperforming, I can now ask the AI agent questions and receive insights on the possible causes and recommended next steps.

Generate reports on demand. With a simple prompt, I can request customized metrics, benchmarks, and performance reports without the hassle of building multiple reports manually.

Navigate Ad Manager faster. Ask Ad Manager guides me to relevant pages on the platform and automatically applies suitable filters and settings rooted in the ongoing conversation.

Why we care. As a publisher managing large inventories and complex campaigns, having the capability to quickly uncover insights and diagnose issues can significantly reduce operational workloads and speed up decision-making processes.

Moreover, this feature signifies a broader trend in ad tech towards employing AI agents that not only generate information but also enhance workflows and task execution.

Looking ahead. According to Google, Ask Ad Manager marks just the start toward a future they envision as being more “agentic”, enhancing advertising operations comprehensively.

Google plans to unveil additional AI features throughout the year, incorporating developer tools like REST APIs and an MCP server aimed at supporting workflow automation and integration efforts.

They’re also working on developing specialized agents that could assist publishers and agencies in exploring inventory, negotiating deals, and executing campaigns with improved efficiency.

Bottom line. Ask Ad Manager introduces Gemini-powered assistance directly within Google Ad Manager. It offers a novel way for us publishers to access insights, resolve issues, and manage advertising operations all through natural language prompts.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 18, 2026
How AI Blends Paid and Organic for Supreme Brand Visibility

When I think about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing advertising, a common belief is that AI is killing advertising. But, in reality, AI is not the end of advertising; it’s merely transforming it into new dimensions. With AI seamlessly integrating into search, assistants, productivity tools, and beyond, it’s only natural for advertising to follow suit.

I’ve noticed that while the density of ads may shift in AI-led experiences, the opportunities for advertising are actually broadening. There are new surfaces emerging continuously, and they all offer exciting chances for advancers and advertisers alike.

To me, the divide between paid and organic isn’t as clear-cut anymore. The same AI systems powering search experiences are also driving ad campaigns and influencing brand visibility across Google’s expansive ecosystem.

This calls for a change in how we brands perceive visibility. Paid and organic aren’t just isolated competitors vying for clicks; instead, they’ve become alternative strategies influencing the same AI systems. As a result, the signals that shape organic visibility may also impact paid performance.

The traditional search engine results page (SERP) we once knew, consisting of 10 blue links, a handful of ad slots, and a side panel, no longer holds the same dominance. Back then, dedicated teams managed paid and organic strategies separately, each with its own set of tools and quarterly goals.

Things changed for me when Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) appeared, using my website’s content to cleverly create ad titles and determine bids, merging the lines between our organic strategies and paid efforts.

Stepping into the modern age, Performance Max (PMax) campaigns took the very logic of DSAs and applied it across every Google surface—importantly altering how ads are placed from Search and YouTube to Maps and more.

Of course, it isn’t without its nuances. If Google’s Gemini doesn’t have a thorough understanding of our brand, the system has to fill the gaps with assumptions, which may not align with our intended brand narrative. It’s crucial to train these AI systems deliberately, or we risk losing control.

Strategically, I’ve come to realize that paid campaigns help me discover which target audience-intent-profit combinations convert best. I can then build my organic content around these successful elements, creating a feedback loop where each strategy amplifies the other.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 16, 2026
Google Ads Adopts CPM Billing for Discover’s Demand Gen Campaigns

I recently came across some notable updates from Google Ads that could impact a number of advertisers like me. From July 15, Google is making a big shift in how it charges for Demand Gen campaigns on Discover, specifically those aimed at view-through conversions (VTC). Instead of the traditional cost-per-click (CPC) model, we’ll be billed on a cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) basis.

What happened. Google Ads informed me, along with other advertisers, that this shift will directly affect campaigns using VTC optimization. If you’re like me and use this optimization, be prepared for the billing change. This only impacts campaigns with VTC enabled, so if you’re not using it, you’re in the clear.

Luckily, no action is required on my part for this transition to take place; it’s automatic.

Why we care. For those of us focused on efficiency in Demand Gen campaigns, this switch could mean we’ll need to closely monitor changes in spend, impressions, and reporting metrics since the basis for billing is changing from clicks to impressions.

This shift in billing might prompt some of us, who primarily look for click-driven performance, to reassess if VTC optimization aligns with our goals.

Why Google is making the change. According to Google, aligning billing with campaign objectives is key. View-through conversions rely heavily on ad impressions. Thus, billing on a CPM basis could more accurately reflect the actual value generated from these campaigns.

Moreover, Google believes this shift will enhance the system’s ability to optimize for VTC goals more effectively.

Opt-out option. If the new billing structure doesn’t suit you, there’s an opt-out. Disabling VTC optimization in campaign settings will prevent this change from affecting your campaigns.

The bottom line. With Google tying payments more closely to the behaviors Demand Gen campaigns are crafted to optimize, those of us leveraging VTC will now focus on impressions rather than clicks for billing and optimization on Discover.

First spotted. This update first came to my attention through Adsquire founder, Anthony Higman, who shared details on X.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 16, 2026
Discover Microsoft’s Product Explorer for Enhanced Ad Performance

I’m excited to share Microsoft Ads’ latest tool—Product Explorer. It’s a remarkable addition that helps advertisers like us quickly spot catalog issues that might be hindering ad performance.

The introduction of Product Explorer represents Microsoft’s effort to create a central hub where advertisers can effortlessly monitor product catalog health and performance. Navah Hopkins, the Microsoft Product Liaison, highlighted its potential to revolutionize how we handle large product feeds.

Managing these expansive feeds often means struggling to pinpoint which items are ready to serve, which are capturing impressions, or which are missing vital data. Product Explorer steps in to make this task significantly more manageable.

What’s new? Now, I can explore my entire product catalog through a searchable interface. This tool allows for filtering by SKU, title, GTIN, and product ID, helping to quickly identify active products that are delivering performance results.

What it does. Product Explorer is designed to highlight eligibility issues and metadata gaps, along with other elements that might prevent products from serving. Plus, it offers recommended actions and the option to export filtered product lists for deeper analysis.

Why we care. As advertisers, having diagnostics and performance reporting combined in one interface means we can move more products into a servable state while identifying underperforming inventory more efficiently.

From searchable catalog reporting to gaining product-level performance insights covering the last 30 days, this tool offers issue detection and actionable recommendations to enhance feed quality.

The big picture. As retail advertising becomes more automated, focusing on feed quality is increasingly essential. Accurate visibility into catalog issues can significantly impact the reach and performance of our campaigns.

Availability. According to Navah Hopkins, the tool is live and ready for use in our accounts.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 12, 2026

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