The changes that matter to advertisers, with the sources behind them and a practical next step. Pick a topic and catch up at your own pace.
Anthropic
Claude's free plan now includes four features previously only on paid plans: file creation (Word docs, Excel, PowerPoints), web search, connected apps, and Projects.
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising offers map pack placements through location extensions. You can secure map pack placements just by setting up a location extension.
Google Ads
Google Ads now lets you set the conversion value for new customers by specifying the target ROAS. The system will then automatically propose a value based on your settings.
OpenAI
Adobe is expanding its partnership with OpenAI as a pilot partner in the Ad Pilot Program, now testing with logged-in users 18 years and older in the US on the free and Go tiers. As part of the pilot, Adobe will run ads for Acrobat Studio and Adobe Firefly.
Google Business Profile
Google is updating the Business Profile verification flow. The new interface asks users to self-identify their business model before proceeding.
Industry
Meta has launched Dear Algo on Threads, an AI feature that lets you adjust your feed by posting "Dear Algo" followed by what you want to see more or less of. Preferences apply for three days, and you can repost someone else's Dear Algo request to try their settings.
Amazon Ads
Amazon has rolled out MCF 2026 Preferred Pricing, with credits capped at $50,000. The update affects Multi-Channel Fulfilment costs for sellers using FBA inventory to fulfil non-Amazon orders.
Google Ads
In the latest episode of the Ads Decoded podcast, Ginny Marvin sits down with Brandon Ervin, Director of Product Management for Search Ads, to discuss campaign consolidation. Ervin clarifies that consolidation is not the end goal: equal or better performance with less granularity is.
Google Ads
Google Ads is testing a new beta feature allowing advertisers to connect external data sources like BigQuery or MySQL directly to their Google tag within conversion action details. The feature aims to enhance conversion metrics and measurement signals.
Industry
US senators have introduced a bill that would require social media platforms to verify government-issued identification for advertisers or confirm the legal existence of businesses. The bill follows a report that Meta made up to $16 billion from scam ads in 2024.
Industry
The QA reminder in Google Tag Manager prompts you to schedule a review after publishing a container. Set the reminder's date and time, and GTM Fixer will alert you to check your implementation.
Google Ads
Starting in March 2026, Lookalike audiences in Demand Gen campaigns will see changes to how they function. Advertisers should review their audience configurations before the update takes effect.
Amazon Ads
Amazon is now surfacing warnings about products at risk of earning a "Frequently Returned" badge. The badge can negatively impact conversion rates and visibility.
LinkedIn Ads
There are three LinkedIn ad placements that most people ignore that can improve efficiency:
Industry
Anthropic has launched Cowork for Windows, following the macOS release. The desktop tool allows non-developers to automate file and task management using Claude.
Google Ads
Google Ads' internal "Low activity system bulk changes" tool can now enable keywords, not just pause them. Francesco Cifardi reported seeing paused keywords being automatically reactivated in Change History: the first time he'd observed this behaviour.
Amazon Ads
Amazon has added a small update that shows frequency cap information in Sponsored Products campaigns. The change provides more transparency into how often ads are shown to the same shopper.
Microsoft Advertising
UCP-powered checkout is now appearing in Google's AI Mode shopping results. A prominent "Buy" button appears for Wayfair's free listing results, allowing users to complete purchases directly within the conversational interface.
Meta Ads
Meta's new Frequency control is now live in some accounts. You can tick "Set a frequency" to control how often your ads are shown to the same user.
ChatGPT Ads
ChatGPT's advertising test is now live in the United States, with users spotting ads appearing in responses. The beta pilot is reportedly closing applications this week with a $200K minimum spend and CPM-based pricing.
Amazon Ads
Amazon has changed how software costs work for SP-API integrations. Most sellers see "$1,400/year plus usage fees" and assume their tools handle it, but the pricing shift affects how third-party software providers pass costs to sellers.
Industry
Google Chrome has announced WebMCP in early preview, a proposed standard that would allow websites to expose structured tools to AI agents. The protocol includes a Declarative API for HTML form actions and an Imperative API for JavaScript-based interactions.
Anthropic
Claude can now generate and edit PowerPoint presentations directly. It works inside your template, generates full decks with logical structure, iterates to simplify, and combines slides.
Google Ads
Google Ads now displays recommended experiments directly on the Experiments page, tailored to your account setup and performance data. Each recommendation includes a preconfigured setup you can apply immediately or customise.
Google Ads
Google Ads now displays campaign eligibility directly in the Status column of the Products section. This update complements the Product-Level Campaign View introduced in January.
Google Ads
Google Ads has updated its Support interface with a new design currently in beta testing. The refreshed layout aims to streamline how advertisers access help resources.
Meta Ads
Meta is launching a deep redesign of Placement Customisation into a "Media Pool" workflow, in a further shift toward Multi-Asset Ads. The new layout changes how advertisers configure placement-specific creative.
OpenAI
Sam Altman announced that Peter Steinberger is joining OpenAI to drive the next generation of personal agents. Steinberger will focus on multi-agent interactions designed to perform useful tasks for people.
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising has introduced its 2026 Partner Badges, featuring Partner, Select Partner, and Elite Partner tiers. The updated badges reflect the latest certification requirements and partner achievements.
Amazon Ads
Amazon has added an "All Tools" tab in Amazon Ads that shows all available tools in a single, clean view.
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