Paid Media News (Week 4)
Paid Media News (Week 4)
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.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: AdsToAI
I've been part of Mike Rhodes' AdsToAI community, and it's one of the few places focused on practical AI for Google Ads: scripts, automation systems, and tools you can actually use.
Read this update in detail →Google Demand Gen adds Shoppable CTV, Attributed Branded Searches, and Travel Feeds
Google has announced three Demand Gen features now in general availability.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads launches Experiment Centre to unify testing and lift studies
Google has launched the Experiment Centre, a unified dashboard centralising Experiments and Lift Studies. Experiments test campaign features, settings, assets, campaign types, and custom multi-variable setups using randomised audience groups.
Read this update in detail →Performance Max adds data exclusions for audience and customer lists
Performance Max campaigns now support data exclusions for Website Visitor Lists and Customer Match Lists. The feature allows excluding remarketing audiences rather than just using them as signals.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads text guidelines now support all languages
Google Ads has expanded its text guidelines feature to support all available languages. The feature was initially English-only, then extended to Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, and Dutch, and is now globally available.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads AI suggests competitor Facebook videos via Pathmatics integration
Google Ads AI is now suggesting Facebook Ad videos sourced from third-party provider Pathmatics (Sensor Tower) when editing assets. The suggestions appear in both Performance Max and Demand Gen campaigns, showing competitor creative that could be uploaded.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads launches multi-campaign experiments [Beta]
Google's Campaign Mix Experiments let you test multiple campaign types, budgets, and settings in one experiment. You can create up to five experiment arms with any campaigns (Search, Performance Max, Shopping, Demand Gen, Video, and App), with campaigns appearing in multiple arms and traffic split.
Read this update in detail →Google launches Performance Max A/B testing for assets [Beta]
Google has released A/B testing for assets within Performance Max campaigns. You can now test two different creative sets (A vs B) inside the same asset group while keeping shared assets running in parallel.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads bans online gambling advertising in Ethiopia
Google Ads has updated its Gambling and games policy to disallow all promotion of online gambling content targeting Ethiopia, effective immediately. All existing online gambling certifications in Ethiopia have been revoked, and applications for certification will no longer be accepted.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft Advertising launches Ad Preview Hub for Audience Ads
Microsoft Advertising has released the Ad Preview Hub, now generally available in all markets. The feature shows all ad formats for supported publishers (MSN and Outlook), devices, and asset types before campaigns go live.
Read this update in detail →Apple Search Ads expands to multiple ad positions in search results from March 2026
Apple will make Search Results campaigns eligible for multiple ad positions starting in March 2026, with the rollout worldwide by month's end. Ads can appear at any position, but you can't choose or bid for specific spots.
Read this update in detail →GA4 brings back Assisted Conversions in attribution analytics
Google Analytics 4 has restored Assisted Conversions reporting. To view: go to Advertising > Conversion Attribution Analytics Report and change the model to Last Click.
Read this update in detail →Looker Studio adds cross-data source filtering, user-based visibility, and histograms
Google has rolled out three new features in Looker Studio. Cross-data-source filtering enables filters to apply across multiple data sources.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft Clarity launches AI Bot Activity tracking in beta
Microsoft Clarity has released AI Bot Activity, a new feature showing which AI systems and bots access your content. The dashboard reveals how often and at what scale bots are crawling, and which pages attract the most automated attention.
Read this update in detail →Shopify enables "optimised" pixel data sharing by default
Shopify has changed the default behaviour for sharing marketing pixel data. The platform now monitors attribution signals and may automatically suspend data sharing for pixels that don't show active signals, without warning.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads Data Manager now suggests integrations based on user email
Google Ads Data Manager will now suggest relevant product connections based on the user's login email. The update aims to reduce manual tool searching and to provide guidance on which integrations are missing from your setup.
Read this update in detail →Display & Video 360 sunset Campaign and Insertion Order targeting on February
Google will sunset Campaign and Insertion Order targeting in the Display & Video 360 API and Structured Data Files on February 23, 2026, aligning with the DV360 UI removal. After this date, API requests for AssignedTargetingOption resources under Campaign or InsertionOrder will return 404 errors, as will requests to advertisers.lineItems.generateDefault.
Read this update in detail →Meta expands Threads ads to all users globally with new formats and controls
Meta is launching ads on Threads globally next week after the initial rollout last spring, with over 400 million monthly users. Ads extend existing Meta campaigns, adding Threads as a placement.
Read this update in detail →Meta Ad Library now shows impression share for all ads
Meta has enabled impression share visibility in the Facebook Ad Library. You can now see which ads from any brand are getting high or low impression share.
Read this update in detail →Instagram Explore ad placement is being removed as Reels expands
Meta is removing the Instagram Explore ad placement starting January 2026. When users tap tiles in the Instagram Explore grid, a new immersive Reels viewer opens instead of the Explore feed.
Read this update in detail →Meta Ads introduce Threads integration and new breakdowns
Meta Ads adds five new features, including Threads integration and new breakdowns
Read this update in detail →YouTube Promotion tool adds interest-based targeting for creators
YouTube has upgraded its Promotion tool for creators to include interest-based targeting beyond basic demographics. Interest categories are built on aggregated, anonymised signals.
Read this update in detail →TikTok upgrades Smart+ with Auto-select creative, ad preview, and Symphony Automation
TikTok announced major upgrades to Smart+, its automated campaign solution. New features include Creative for Smart+ with Auto-select, which scans existing ads and eligible creator content from TikTok One to suggest top-performing creatives for your goals.
Read this update in detail →Pinterest launches Media Planner for awareness and consideration campaigns
Pinterest has launched Media Planner in Ads Manager, a tool for campaign planning and audience analysis based on demographics, interests, and keywords. It estimates metrics like impressions, reach, frequency, CPM, clicks, and CPC, with country-specific data.
Read this update in detail →Amazon Rufus now sends traffic to off-Amazon destinations
Amazon's AI shopping assistant Rufus is displaying advertising within its responses, marking the beginning of monetisation for Amazon's conversational AI. Additionally, Rufus has been spotted directing users to websites outside of Amazon, a shift from keeping users within Amazon's ecosystem.
Read this update in detail →Amazon adds consolidated Vine-eligible listings view in Seller Central
Amazon now shows all Vine-eligible listings in one Seller Central tab, replacing manual checks across reports and listings for large catalogs. It highlights eligible ASINs without custom tracking.
Read this update in detail →TikTok Shop mandates logistics providers, but Amazon MCF remains compliant
Starting February 25, TikTok Shop requires US sellers to use only TikTok logistics: FBT, Upgraded TikTok Shipping, or Collections by TikTok. Seller fulfillment ends, stopping manual label printing and routing through unapproved 3PLs.
Read this update in detail →TikTok USDS Joint Venture established with majority US ownership
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC has been established in compliance with US regulatory requirements, enabling 200 million Americans and 7.5 million businesses to continue using TikTok. The majority American-owned joint venture will operate under safeguards protecting national security through data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances.
Read this update in detail →Google warns that forced ad syndication would expose proprietary systems and increase fraud
Google has filed an affidavit asking a federal judge to pause DOJ antitrust remedies, warning that court-ordered search and ad syndication would permanently expose its proprietary ad technology. Director of Product Management Jesse Adkins argues that large-scale syndication would allow competitors to reverse-engineer ad targeting, relevance signals, and auction mechanics developed over decades of R&D.
Read this update in detail →X publishes AI-powered algorithm code revealing "For You" feed mechanics
X released its latest 'For You' feed algorithm on GitHub, confirmed by Elon Musk as 'purely AI' since November via xAI servers. The feed includes Thunder (posts from followed accounts, ranked by engagement) and Phoenix (AI recommendations analysing your last 128 engaged posts).
Read this update in detail →OpenAI ads launching early February with under $1M spend commitments
OpenAI is lining up advertisers for ChatGPT ads launching in early February. The company is asking for commitments of under $1 million over a several-week trial period.
Read this update in detail →OpenAI takes 4% commission on ChatGPT instant checkout sales
OpenAI is charging a 4% fee on every sale made through ChatGPT's instant checkout. Starting January 26, Shopify merchants can opt in to sell directly through ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.
Read this update in detail →Claude connects to health data via Apple Health, Health Connect, and more
Anthropic has launched health data integrations for Claude in beta. Four integrations are available: Apple Health (iOS), Health Connect (Android), HealthEx, and Function.
Read this update in detail →Claude in Excel is now available on Pro plans with new features
Claude in Excel is now available for Pro plan subscribers. New capabilities include accepting multiple files via drag-and-drop, avoiding overwriting existing cells, and supporting longer sessions with auto-compaction.
Read this update in detail →Claude Code can now run locally for free via Ollama
Claude Code can now run for free using Ollama's Anthropic API compatibility. Developers can run Claude Code locally with open-source models while maintaining full agent and tool workflows.
Read this update in detail →OpenAI publishes Codex CLI agent loop documentation
OpenAI has published technical documentation on the Codex CLI agent loop, their local, cross-platform agent for making code changes. The documentation covers how Codex builds and manages context, queries models, and applies patterns useful for anyone building agents on the Responses API.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft publishes Agent Architecture Guidance Hub
Microsoft has launched the Agent Architecture Guidance Hub on Microsoft Learn. The guidance outlines principles and patterns for building secure, reliable agent solutions with a focus on Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Read this update in detail →Ginny Marvin launches Ads Decoded podcast Season 1
Google's Ads Product Liaison Ginny Marvin has officially launched Season 1 of Ads Decoded podcast. The show moves past headlines into the mechanics of how Google Ads products actually work.
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.
Read Paid Media News (Week 4) on LinkedIn