Paid Media News (Week 2)
Paid Media News (Week 2)
Explore every update from this edition, with the original reporting and contributor credits.
A digest of the original edition. Updates and availability reflect what was reported at the time.
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Read this update in detail →Google launches Direct Offers pilot for exclusive deals in AI Mode
Google has introduced Direct Offers, a new Google Ads pilot that lets advertisers present exclusive discounts to high-intent shoppers directly in AI Mode. The feature works alongside PMax and Standard Shopping campaigns, using AI to determine when to display offers based on shopper intent.
Read this update in detail →Google rolls out A/B testing for Performance Max assets in beta
Google is introducing a new experiment type for Performance Max campaigns that allows A/B testing of assets within the same asset group. Advertisers can select which existing assets to include in the test and define "common assets" that remain unchanged across both versions.
Read this update in detail →Google Vehicle Ads now display call assets for direct dealer calls
Google has added call asset support to Vehicle Ads, enabling click-to-call functionality directly within the ad format. Users can now call dealers directly from search results.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads has a hidden setting allowing Google-owned imagery in campaigns: enabled by default
A hidden setting in Google Ads allows Google to use its own library of photos and videos in your campaigns. The setting is enabled by default in Shared Library > Location Manager > Settings > Google Owned Location Data.
Read this update in detail →Google is sending deprecation emails for Call Ads: transition to Location Assets required
Google is sending deprecation emails to advertisers using Call Ads, signalling the format is being phased out. Advertisers should ensure Location Assets are set up to maintain call functionality after the transition.
Read this update in detail →Google Merchant Centre updates multi-channel product system for unified inventory management
Google Merchant Centre is updating how multi-channel products work, unifying online and in-store inventory into a single product listing instead of separate records. The change affects users of the Content API, Merchant API, and BigQuery Data Transfer.
Read this update in detail →Google Merchant Centre expands promotion types with subscriptions, abbreviations, and Brazil payment methods
Google Shopping has updated its promotion policies to support additional promotion types starting January 2026. New supported promotions include subscription fee discounts (e.g., "Get first month free" or "95% off for 2 months"), common abbreviations such as BOGO, B1G1, MRP, and MSRP, and, in Brazil only, payment method-specific promotions, including cashback to digital wallets.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads API to stop accepting new IP address and session attribute imports from February 2026
Starting February 2, 2026, the Google Ads API will no longer accept new adopters using session attributes or IP address data for conversion imports. Developers should transition to the Data Manager API, which will continue accepting this data.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads to permit prediction markets advertising in the US for regulated entities
Google Ads will allow advertising for prediction markets in the United States starting January 21, 2026, but only for federally regulated entities. Eligible advertisers must be authorised by the CFTC as a Designated Contract Market or by the NFA as a brokerage offering access to qualifying DCM products.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads to disallow Rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports ads in India from January 21, 2026
Google Ads will update its Gambling and games policy for India on January 21, 2026, disallowing all Rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports promotions targeting the country. The change is being made to comply with local legal requirements.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads to allow online gambling ads in Belarus from January 22, 2026
Google Ads will begin accepting online gambling advertisements in Belarus from licensed operators starting January 22, 2026. Permitted ad types include online poker, sports betting, online casino games, and state lotteries.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft Brand Agents are now available for Shopify merchants via Clarity
Microsoft has launched Brand Agents for Shopify merchants through Microsoft Clarity. The AI-powered shopping assistants speak in your brand's voice, guide customers from discovery to purchase, and can be deployed in hours.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft Advertising increases the PMax search themes limit to 50
Microsoft Advertising has increased the search themes limit for Performance Max campaigns from the previous cap of 50 to 50. Search themes can be combined with LinkedIn profile targeting, audience signals, and Impression-Based Remarketing to guide campaign targeting.
Read this update in detail →Google tests removing addresses from Local Services Ads profiles
Google appears to be testing Local Services Ads profiles that do not display the business address. The test is visible across multiple practice areas and locations, with some profiles showing the address field while others do not, even though they are connected to Google Business Profiles with active reviews.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads synthetic keywords spotted in the wild for AI Max campaigns
Google Ads is testing "synthetic keywords," a feature that condenses long search queries into shorter phrases for reporting. Currently available for AI Max only, the feature addresses two problems: cluttered search term reports from lengthy AI-generated queries and hidden search terms due to privacy thresholds.
Read this update in detail →Smarter Ecommerce releases free Google Ads Placement Scanner script for spam detection
Smarter Ecommerce has released a free script that audits Google Display Network placements for spam and MFA (Made for Advertising) sites. The tool flags 125+ high-risk TLDs based on data from ICANN, Spamhaus, and other watchdogs, and cross-references your Content Suitability report to identify mismatched country targeting.
Read this update in detail →Google Tag Gateway adds one-click Google Cloud Platform integration in beta
Google Tag Gateway is rolling out a GCP integration that enables one-click deployment via an External Application Load Balancer. The feature allows advertisers to host Google's tagging technologies on a first-party domain, adding resilience against Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention and ad blockers.
Read this update in detail →Reminder: Google Search Console links report has limited backlink visibility
Google Search Console's links report does not show all backlinks to your site, and Google intentionally limits the data to prevent misuse by spammers. Third-party tools can provide more comprehensive data, though users should be cautious about over-relying on "toxic links" metrics.
Read this update in detail →Meta Ads now displays promotions directly in ads before users tap
Meta has updated how promotions appear in ads, now showing promo codes and offers within the ad creative itself without requiring a tap. In some cases, the CTA text may automatically change to "See offer."
Read this update in detail →Meta Ads adds attribution settings breakdown view for easier analysis
Meta has introduced a new breakdown option that displays results by attribution settings in rows rather than columns. The feature includes a 2-7-day click row that shows the difference between 7-day and 1-day click results, making attribution analysis more straightforward.
Read this update in detail →Meta Ads Library now displays impression counts for competitor research
Meta has added impression count data to the Ads Library, making it easier to identify which competitor ads are receiving significant spend versus low-performing creatives. The feature labels ads with fewer than 100 impressions as low count.
Read this update in detail →WhatsApp to introduce usernames and business-scoped user IDs in 2026
WhatsApp will allow users to communicate via usernames instead of phone numbers, with rollout expected throughout 2026. Businesses using WhatsApp API must update CRM systems, chatbots, and workflows to support the new Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID) by June 2026.
Read this update in detail →Meta enhances error reporting for Ads Insights Async API in Graph API v25.0
Meta is adding detailed error fields to the Ads Insights Async API GET endpoint, launching with Graph API v25.0 on February 18, 2026. New default fields include error_code, error_message, error_subcode, and user-friendly error titles and messages.
Read this update in detail →Reddit launches Max campaigns beta with AI-powered optimisation and open-box reporting
Reddit has introduced Max campaigns, an AI-powered campaign type that automates settings to optimise for every impression. Early split tests show a 17% lower CPA and 27% higher conversion rate than manual setups.
Read this update in detail →Amazon AMC adds new no-code audience templates for DSP and Sponsored Display
Amazon Marketing Cloud has released additional no-code audience templates that sellers can use to create audiences without SQL. New audiences include frequent purchasers not enrolled in Subscribe & Save, customers who bought main products but not accessories, and seasonal ad exposure off-peak audiences with customisable time frames.
Read this update in detail →Amazon changes review sharing rules across product variations starting February 2026
Amazon will stop automatically sharing reviews across all variations in a product family from February 12, 2026. Reviews will only be shared when differences are minor, such as colour, pack size, or scent variations.
Read this update in detail →Amazon DSP launches AI audio ads generator with free voice and music options
Amazon has added an AI-powered audio ad generator to the DSP console, enabling users to create complete audio ads from product ASINs in seconds. The tool includes professional voiceovers, background music options, and call-to-action prompts: no studio, voice actors, or editing required.
Read this update in detail →Austria's Supreme Court orders Meta to release user data after 11-year legal battle
Austria's Supreme Court has ruled that Meta must provide privacy campaigner Max Schrems with access to all of his personal data within two weeks. The decision ends an 11-year legal case and includes €500 in damages.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft launches Copilot Checkout for in-conversation purchases
Microsoft has introduced Copilot Checkout, enabling shoppers to complete purchases directly within Copilot conversations without redirects. Merchants remain the seller of record and retain customer data and relationships.
Read this update in detail →OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health for personalised responses using medical records
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health, a dedicated experience that enables users to connect medical records and wellness apps to deliver personalised health responses. Over 230 million people worldwide already ask ChatGPT health questions weekly, and this feature consolidates fragmented health data into a single place.
Read this update in detail →Google launches Disco, an experimental AI browser with GenTabs feature
Google has released Disco through Google Labs, an experimental AI-powered browser built on Gemini 3. The browser's GenTabs feature creates interactive web apps from your open tabs and browsing context, turning research sessions into structured dashboards without coding.
Read this update in detail →Gmail launches Gemini-powered AI Overviews, suggested replies, and AI Inbox
Google is bringing Gemini to Gmail with several new features rolling out now. AI Overviews summarise long email threads and answer natural language questions about your inbox.
Read this update in detail →The advertiser takeaway
Each update reflects the source reporting at the time. Open an individual update for its full description, original links and media.
Explore the original edition
Every update from this edition is linked above. Explore the original newsletter for its full context, contributor credits and reporting links.
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