Google Ads
Google Ads updates the Support interface in beta
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.
SourceLinkedIn
THE COLLECTIVE NEWSROOM
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Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising announces 2026 Partner Program badges
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.
SourceMicrosoft Ads
Official SourceMicrosoft
Industry
Google bans personalised targeting for Rummy and Fantasy Sports App campaigns in India
Starting February 5, 2026, Google no longer allows personalised targeting for App campaigns promoting Rummy or daily fantasy sports apps in India. Only non-personalised delivery is permitted for these verticals in that market.
SourceGoogle Ads Policy Help
Official SourceGoogle
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising tests Magazine Answer Card ad format
Microsoft Advertising is testing a magazine-style layout within its Answer Card format on Bing Search. Ads appear in card formats at the top of results and can be served through Shopping, Multimedia Ads, or PMax: there is no separate auction.
First ContributorSachin Patel +2
Google Tag
Google Ads adds Data Source Diagnostics in Data Manager
Google Ads has added a diagnostics tool in Data Manager to help identify and fix data connection issues. The feature flags problems with linked data sources directly in the interface.
SourceLinkedIn
First ContributorGeorgi Zayakov
Google Ads
Google Ads API developer token applications delayed due to increased demand
Google has acknowledged delays in reviewing applications for Google Ads API developer tokens following the release of Explorer Access, the MCP Server, and the Developer Assistant. Additional reviewers have been assigned to clear the backlog.
Official SourceGoogle
Google Ads
Google Ads rolls out MCC security fix to prevent account hijacking
Google has introduced a security update to address MCC account hijacking attacks that have increased recently. The update introduces Multi-Party Approval, requiring a second administrator to approve sensitive changes like adding/removing users or changing roles within ~20 days.
SourceLinkedIn
First ContributorHana Kobzová
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising updates Dating and Companionship policy globally, in Japan, and in the US
Microsoft Advertising has updated its Dating and Companionship policy to include new general requirements and a global pre-approval requirement. Additional market-specific requirements now apply in Japan and for advertisers targeting Colorado in the United States.
Official SourceMicrosoft
Google Ads
Google Ads no longer pre-selects Performance Max when creating Shopping campaigns
Google Ads has stopped pre-selecting Performance Max as the default when setting up a new Shopping campaign. You now choose the campaign type without a default applied.
SourceLinkedIn
Google Ads
Google Ads adds Call Assets to Vehicle Ads
Google now allows Call Assets to appear inside Vehicle Ads in Search results. Users can call the dealer directly from the ad without clicking through to the website.
SourceLinkedIn
Google Ads
Google Ads shows AI Max promotion inside campaign settings
Google Ads is displaying promotional messaging for AI Max directly within campaign settings during account audits. The placement appears to be an internal ad encouraging the adoption of AI features.
SourceLinkedIn
Spotted byJulie Friedman Bacchini
Google Ads
Google Ads MCC Billing Reports feature rolling out
Google Ads is rolling out Billing Reports to MCC accounts, providing line-by-line invoice breakdowns that include the account name, campaign details, usage, and payment data. The feature is located under Billing > Billing Reports.
SourceLinkedIn
First ContributorThomas Eccel
Microsoft Advertising
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.
SourceMicrosoft Advertising
Official SourceMicrosoft
Microsoft Advertising
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.
SourceSEO Community
Google Ads
⚠️ 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.
SourceLinkedIn
Google Tag
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.
SourceLinkedIn
Google Ads
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.
Official SourceGoogle +1
Google Ads
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.
Official SourceGoogle Ads
Google Merchant Center
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.
SourceLinkedIn
First ContributorArpan Banerjee
Google Ads
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.
SourceLinkedIn
First ContributorArpan Banerjee
Microsoft Advertising
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.
SourceLinkedIn
YouTube
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.
SourceLinkedIn
Spotted byAnthony Higman
Google Ads
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.
SourcePPC News Feed
Google Tag
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.
Official SourceGoogle
Google Ads
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.
SourceLinkedIn
Google Ads
Google Demand Gen adds Shoppable CTV, Attributed Branded Searches, and Travel Feeds
Google has announced three Demand Gen features now in general availability.
Official SourceGoogle
Google Ads
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.
SourceGoogle Ads Help
Official SourceGoogle Ads
Google Ads
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.
SourceLinkedIn
Apple Ads
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.
SourceApple Ads Help
Official SourceApple
Google Ads
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.
SourceGoogle Ads Policy Help
Official SourceGoogle
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