Paid Media News (Week 5)
Paid Media News (Week 5)
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 →Performance Max network segmentation is now available via API v23
Network segmentation is now available via the Google Ads API for Performance Max campaigns, enabling breakdowns by network, time, device, product attributes, CPC, CPM, and ROAS. Mike Ryan published a first-of-its-kind analysis using 41.5 billion impressions from Smarter Ecommerce (smec), offering deeper insight than the UI-based Channel Performance report.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads renames the Advertiser Verification page to "Account"
Google Ads has renamed the Advertiser Verification page to "Account," consolidating verification, business information, certifications, and compliance status into one hub. The new section is located under Admin > Policy > Account.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads support now auto-fills details from previous cases
Google Ads support forms now auto-populate information from your previous cases, including company name, email, and issue summary. This reduces the need to re-enter the same details when raising new tickets.
Read this update in detail →Google Merchant Centre is beginning to roll out Business Agent.
As previously mentioned, Google has added a Conversational AI Customer Journey feature called Business Agent in Merchant Centre, enabling an AI Business Agent to represent your brand in Google's AI-led shopping conversations. The agent recommends products based on customer intent, answers shopper questions, and guides users from query to purchase.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads hints at bulk management for Callout and Snippet Assets
New Google Ads help pages detail bulk-editing workflows for callout and structured snippet assets. The documentation describes edit, find and replace, add text, and change case functionality across multiple assets at once.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft Advertising updates four policy areas in January 2026
Microsoft Advertising published four global policy changes: gambling and games now require pre-approval for all clients; pharmacy and healthcare advertisers must complete pre-approval before serving in allowed markets; cryptocurrency exchanges are now permitted for Search advertisers meeting criteria in EU and UK markets; and high-fat, sugar, and salt food ads are banned in the United Kingdom from January 5, 2026. For you, this means checking your account status if you operate in any of these verticals.
Read this update in detail →Google tests third-party endorsements directly in Search Ads
A new ad extension has been spotted showing third-party endorsement content, such as a PCMag review badge, directly under Search Ads. The feature was first flagged by Sarah Blocksidge and later confirmed by Search Engine Land.
Read this update in detail →Shopping Ads spotted on the Google Images tab on mobile
Google Shopping Ads have been found showing natively within the Images tab on mobile, labelled as "Sponsored." This expands Shopping Ads beyond traditional Search to a more exploratory, mid-funnel placement.
Read this update in detail →YouTube overlay ads partially cover the Skip Ad button
A new YouTube ad format has been spotted in which the banner ad partially overlaps the Skip Ad button, increasing the risk of accidental clicks. The format has appeared on YouTube on mobile.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads replaces classic contact form with AI chatbot
Google Ads has retired the classic contact form and replaced it with an AI-based chatbot as the initial support channel. Direct access to a human consultant is no longer available at the initial contact step.
Read this update in detail →Google Products tab now shows per-campaign performance breakdown
Google Ads now lets you click a product title under the Products tab to see every campaign where that product is active and how it performs in each. You can compare performance between Standard Shopping and Performance Max at the product level.
Read this update in detail →Google Tag Gateway now supports Akamai as a CDN
Google Tag Manager release notes confirm that Google Tag Gateway for advertisers can now be configured with Akamai as the content delivery network. This integration gives you control over your data flow and improves the accuracy of Google Analytics reporting.
Read this update in detail →Consent Mode gets new Conversion Diagnostics insights in Google Ads
Google has added new insights to Conversion Diagnostics that show whether Consent Mode is correctly implemented and whether conversion modelling is active. The diagnostics now report the exact date modelling started and the resulting conversion uplift percentage.
Read this update in detail →Google Ads Data Manager adds US state privacy restriction setting
A new setting in Google Ads Data Manager lets you restrict how user data is used for audiences in US states with strict privacy laws. Users in those states will not be added to your audience segments, reducing compliance risk.
Read this update in detail →⚠️ Floodlight Counter conversions are miscounting in web GTM
A bug in Web GTM is forcing Floodlight Counter tags set to "Unique" or "Per Session" to fire as "Standard," counting every conversion instead of deduplicating.
Read this update in detail →Google Tag Gateway vs. server-side tagging: When do you need it, and when do you not?
Google Tag Gateway (GTG) serves Google tags from your own domain to bypass ad blockers and extend cookie lifetimes. However, GTG only works for Google tags, while server-side tagging (SST) supports all tags and offers a custom loader.
Read this update in detail →Meta adds ad sequencing for Awareness and Engagement campaigns
Meta now lets you sequence ads within Awareness and Engagement campaigns. You set a frequency target, add at least two ads, publish the campaign disabled, then enable ad sequencing at the ad set level to arrange delivery order.
Read this update in detail →Meta suggests adding a Business AI agent to ad responses
Meta is prompting advertisers to add Business AI to their ads, an AI agent that would automatically respond to messages, comments, and inquiries about the business. The feature appears as a recommendation within the ad creation flow.
Read this update in detail →Meta Ads rolls out 4 new updates, including video generation (beta)
Meta Ads has introduced four updates:
Read this update in detail →Google Commerce Media Suite adds Best Buy and Shipt audiences to Display & Video 360
Best Buy and Shipt are now sharing commerce audiences across publishers and exchanges in Display & Video 360 as part of Google's Commerce Media Suite. Best Buy audiences target consumers with electronics and tech intent, while Shipt audiences reach in-market shoppers for groceries, beauty, and essentials.
Read this update in detail →Campaign Manager 360 API v4 sunsets on February 26, 2026
Google will shut down Campaign Manager 360 API v4 on February 26, 2026. All v4 requests will fail after that date.
Read this update in detail →Amazon FBA removal and disposal fees switch to per-unit charging from February 15
Starting February 15, 2026, Amazon will charge FBA removal and disposal fees per unit as each item is processed, rather than a single lump sum when the full order is completed. Fee rates remain unchanged: only the billing timing changes.
Read this update in detail →Amazon requires FNSKU barcodes for all non-Brand Registry FBA sellers from March 31
Starting March 31, 2026, Amazon sellers not enrolled as Brand Registry representatives can no longer use manufacturer barcodes (UPC, EAN, ISBN) for FBA. Every unit will need an FNSKU sticker.
Read this update in detail →Amazon Sponsored Brands now supports 3 to 10 products per ad with AI curation
Amazon updated Sponsored Brands product collections to allow 3–10 products per ad, up from the previous limit of 3. AI dynamically selects and highlights the most relevant products based on customer intent, though manual selection is still available.
Read this update in detail →OpenAI sets ChatGPT ad pricing at roughly $60 CPM, triple Meta's average rate
OpenAI plans to charge advertisers around $60 per 1,000 impressions for ads inside ChatGPT, according to The Information. That puts pricing on par with premium TV and live sports inventory, and roughly three times Meta's typical $15–20 CPM.
Read this update in detail →Google explores allowing sites to opt out of AI Overviews and AI Mode
Google is exploring ways to let websites opt out of AI generative search features, including AI Overviews and AI Mode. No specific mechanism has been confirmed yet.
Read this update in detail →Microsoft reports Q2 FY26 earnings with search/news ads up 10%
Microsoft reported Q2 FY26 revenue of $81.3 billion, up 17 per cent year over year, with operating income growing 21 per cent to $38.3 billion. Search and news advertising revenue excluding TAC grew 10 per cent, while Azure and cloud services grew 39 per cent.
Read this update in detail →Google rolls out the Gemini 3 model for AI Overviews in Search globally
Google now uses its Gemini 3 model to power AI Overviews in Search worldwide. The update improves responses to complex queries and enables users to continue conversations via AI Mode for follow-up questions.
Read this update in detail →Gemini in Chrome evolves from assistant to agentic browsing
Google announced that Gemini in Chrome is shifting from a conversational assistant to an agent that can navigate, reason, and execute multi-step tasks across the web. The update includes an "auto browse" feature to handle workflows such as comparing listings or scheduling across multiple sites.
Read this update in detail →Google launches Project Genie for interactive text-to-world generation
Google's Project Genie uses the Genie 3 model to create full navigable 3D environments from text prompts. Users can walk through, explore, and remix generated worlds in real time, with physics and interactions simulated on the fly.
Read this update in detail →Meta acquires Manus AI and tests premium subscriptions with AI features
Meta has acquired Manus, the general-purpose AI agent platform, and is testing premium subscriptions on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The paid tier will include exclusive AI tools, AI video creation via Vibes, and Manus-powered agent capabilities.
Read this update in detail →Claude Cowork launches plugin support with 11 open-source role-based plugins
Anthropic released plugin support for Cowork, its desktop automation tool. Plugins bundle skills, connectors, slash commands, and sub-agents into role-specific packages.
Read this update in detail →Claude brings file creation, skills, and compaction to the Free plan
Anthropic has made file creation and editing available on Claude's Free plan, alongside skills and compaction features previously limited to paid users. This enables free users to handle more complex tasks and to stay logged in for longer.
Read this update in detail →Claude launches interactive work tool connectors for real-time collaboration
Claude now displays connected work tools directly inside conversations, enabling users to draft Slack messages, create Figma diagrams, or manage Asana timelines without switching tabs. Supported integrations include Slack, Figma, Asana, Amplitude, Box, Canva, Clay, Hex, and Monday.com.
Read this update in detail →EU publishes full €2.95 billion Google AdTech fine decision
The European Commission published the provisional non-confidential version of its 363-page AdTech decision, fining Google €2.95 billion for abusive leveraging across display advertising intermediation markets. The decision states that merely stopping the conduct is insufficient and that the underlying conflicts of interest must be eliminated.
Read this update in detail →UK CMA publishes proposed conduct requirements for Google Search under DMCC
The UK Competition and Markets Authority published proposed conduct requirements for Google under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC). Proposals include mandatory search choice screens on Android and Chrome, publisher opt-out controls for AI features such as AI Overviews, fair ranking obligations that ban self-preferencing, and consumer data portability.
Read this update in detail →Google launches Ads Decoded Newsletter on LinkedIn
Google has launched an Ads Decoded newsletter on LinkedIn as a companion to the recently relaunched podcast. Each edition provides deeper analysis and actionable tips from podcast episodes, including priorities for measurement and data strategy.
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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