Google Ads Update Tracker

Google Ads is constantly changing, we help you navigate these changes so your business doesn’t get hurt by them.

All Google Ads updates and details

Google Adwords updates and changes used to mean better ads, better targeting, and higher ROI from your PPC campaigns. Now with Google Ads, it seems that 9/10 changes are in favor of Google’s stock price and increasing their massive profit margin. At Granular, we help you navigate each change by helping you understand the risks and opportunities that come with each core change to Google Ads.

Click into each of the Google Ads updates below to learn more about what they mean for your PPC account, but more importantly what they mean for your business.

Introducing Cross Media Reach

Introduced
Jun 24, 2024

Impact Rating
Low

Cross Media Reach in Google Ads allows precise measurement of video campaign reach across YouTube and TV. It deduplicates data, provides demographic insights, and enhances advertisers’ ability to optimize campaign effectiveness through detailed, adjustable reports on a user-friendly platform.

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Introducing Brand Recommendations in Google Ads

Introduced
Jun 06, 2024

Impact Rating
Medium

Google Ads introduces AI-driven Brand Recommendations to optimize CPM and CPV campaigns. This feature analyzes campaign data to provide tailored suggestions across ads, bidding, keywords, and measurement, helping advertisers enhance campaign performance and achieve their brand goals.

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Completing the Transition to a New Google Ads Design

Introduced
May 30, 2024

Impact Rating
Low

Google Ads will fully transition to its new design on August 30, 2024. The update offers improved organization and ease of use, featuring a left-side main menu with categories like Campaigns, Goals, Tools, Billing, and Admin.

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Google Marketing Live 2024: Key Updates and The Impact on Marketers

Introduced
May 21, 2024

Impact Rating
High

The 2024 Google Marketing Live event was a lot to take in, as Google unveiled several updates allegedly designed to supercharge our advertising efforts. From AI-powered creative assets to immersive shopping ads, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive into these updates and explore what they could mean for digital advertisers.

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Google I/O 2024: Making AI Helpful for Everyone

Introduced
May 14, 2024

Impact Rating
Medium

Google I/O 2024 introduced AI advancements in Google Search, launched the Gemini 1.5 models, and showcased new generative media models. Focused on responsible AI, Google unveiled innovations like SynthID for content identification and LearnLM for improved learning experiences.

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New ways to steer your Performance Max campaigns to success

Introduced
Apr 29, 2024

Impact Rating
High

Google’s Performance Max updates from April 29, 2024 include new customer lifecycle goals, IP exclusions, real-time testing with Final URL expansion, enhanced demographic insights, and budget pacing insights. These features attempt to provide advertisers with more control, deeper insights and improved campaign performance across all Google Ads channels.

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Capture sales this spring shopping season and engage shoppers with AR & VR features

Introduced
Feb 28, 2024

Impact Rating
Medium

AR and VR tools enhance the online shopping experience, reduce returns, and boost engagement. Google’s tools offer virtual try-ons for beauty and apparel, 3D visuals, and AI-powered campaigns to capture seasonal demand and maximize ROI.

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Building more durable and effective bidding strategies for Hotel Campaigns

Introduced
Feb 06, 2024

Impact Rating
Low

On February 6, 2024, Google announced that it will be phasing out commissions-based bid strategies for Hotel Ads by October 2024, replacing them with target ROAS (tROAS) and Performance Max for travel goals. These AI-powered solutions enhance bidding accuracy and adapt to evolving privacy regulations, ensuring better campaign performance and compliance. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Drive more performance from AI-powered Search ads with new asset changes

Introduced
Feb 01, 2024

Impact Rating
Medium

On February 1, 2024, Google announced an update to responsive search ads by now allowing only a single headline, adding campaign-level headlines and descriptions, and using dynamic assets alongside those provided by the advertiser. These updates leverage AI to optimize ad performance, providing flexibility and deeper insights for advertisers.

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Adapt to privacy and regulatory changes with consent mode

Introduced
Jan 18, 2024

Impact Rating
Medium

On January 18, 2024 Google announced a new enhanced EU User Consent Policy enforcement that requires advertisers to send verifiable consent signals and update APIs/SDKs by March 2024. Upgrades to consent mode and partnerships with CMPs help manage compliance and ad performance amid evolving privacy regulations.

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A new way to buy reservation ads in Google Ads

Introduced
Dec 18, 2023

Impact Rating
Low

As of December 18, 2023, Google Ads now offers self-service buying options for various YouTube ad products, including YouTube Select and TV lineups, masthead ads, and standard reservations. These updates simplify ad setup and management while integrating advanced audience targeting and traditional fixed CPMs. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Information on Google Ads buying behavior on apps

Introduced
Dec 14, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

On December 14, 2023 Google Ads announced shifts to real-time bidding auctions for apps, discontinuing support for multicall requests without bidding ad units. The change enhances ad value, ensures fair bidding practices, and includes penalties for evading detection systems, effective January 2024. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

YouTube builds a better streaming experience with fewer ad breaks and expansion of Shorts

Introduced
Dec 14, 2023

Impact Rating
Low

As of December 12th, 2023, YouTube’s Video Reach Campaigns now incorporate in-feed and Shorts ads, amplifying reach and efficiency through multiformat ads and Google AI. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Maximize your awareness with more formats now available in Video Reach Campaigns

Introduced
Dec 12, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

As of December 12, 2023, YouTube’s Video Reach Campaigns now incorporate in-feed and Shorts ads, amplifying reach and efficiency through multiformat ads and Google AI.

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Engage with your most valuable audiences without third-party cookies

Introduced
Nov 09, 2023

Impact Rating
High

Google announced on November 9, 2023, that with the deprecation of third-party cookies in 2025, it will emphasize privacy-preserving technologies and AI solutions for audience engagement. Marketers should adopt Privacy Sandbox APIs, leverage AI-powered targeting, and focus on first-party data strategies to sustain performance and build trust. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Unlock new relevant traffic on Performance Max with search themes

Introduced
Oct 26, 2023

Impact Rating
Low

On October 26, 2023, Google’s “search themes” in Performance Max allow advertisers to guide Google AI for broader ad reach across Google Ads placements. This feature uses business-specific knowledge to enhance ad performance and will replace custom segments based on search activity in early 2024. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Maximize views for your budget with Video View Campaigns on YouTube, now globally available

Introduced
Sep 28, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

On September 28th, 2023, Google announced the global launch of Video View Campaigns (VVC), offering up to 40% more views and 30% lower cost-per-view by using Google AI to deliver optimized creatives across YouTube’s video formats.

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Multiply your creativity with AI-powered tools for Search ads

Introduced
Sep 20, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

On September 20th, 2023, Google shared updates on its plans to enhance Search ad relevance with automatically created assets. Automatically created assets are now available in seven additional languages and introduce a conversational AI experience for efficient campaign creation. These tools improve ad strength and streamline the setup process, driving better results for advertisers. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

More information on Google Ads move to real-time bidding for apps

Introduced
Sep 07, 2023

Impact Rating
Low

On September 7th, 2023, Google announced that it will be transitioning to real-time bidding for apps, moving away from multicall waterfalls as early as January 2024. This change improves efficiency, boosts monetization, and requires publishers to implement hybrid setups with bidding ad units. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Our new policy to help guide advertisers and build trust with users

Introduced
Aug 31, 2023

Impact Rating
Low

On August 31, 2023, Google announced a new Limited Ads Serving policy that limits impressions for unfamiliar or misleading advertisers to build user trust and reduce scam risks. New advertisers must establish a positive track record and complete identity verification to gain full reach, promoting a safer and more transparent ad environment.

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Vehicle ads will be upgraded to Performance Max with vehicle feeds

Introduced
Aug 24, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

On August 24, 2023, Google announced that vehicle ads created through Smart Shopping campaigns will be upgraded to Performance Max, enhancing reach across multiple channels and optimizing conversions with AI. This transition, starting in September 2023, provides broader visibility, improved conversion rates, and valuable insights for automotive advertisers. More about the Google Ads update and what you need to know:

Get ready to upgrade your Discovery ads to Demand Gen

Introduced
Aug 15, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

On August 15, 2023, Google announced that Discovery Ads will soon be replaced by new Demand Gen Ads. Demand Gen enhances Discovery ads with AI-powered features, various ad formats, and advanced targeting. Starting in October, advertisers can upgrade to Demand Gen, optimizing for conversions and site visits, with all campaigns transitioning by early 2024.

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Multiply your holiday performance with new ads and insights features

Introduced
Aug 08, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

Google’s updates from August 8, 2023 include Google’s new AI-powered tools and features to enhance holiday marketing by improving engagement, optimizing performance, and providing actionable insights. Advertisers can optimize campaigns for high-value customers, implement omnichannel strategies, and leverage insights to drive profitable sales.

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New Google Analytics 4 features for better App campaign performance

Introduced
Aug 02, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

Google Analytics 4 updates from August 2, 2023 introduces new features for app marketers, including advanced audience management, performance optimization tools, and comprehensive conversion measurement solutions. These updates enhance user engagement, drive conversions, and ensure accurate tracking for better app campaign performance.

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Beginning January 16th, 2024, for Google Ads served on Google AdSense, Ad Manager, AdMob and platforms supporting Google bidding for EEA/UK users, a Google-certified IAB TCF CMP will be required

Introduced
Aug 01, 2023

Impact Rating
Medium

Starting January 16, 2024, Google Ads will require EEA and UK publisher partners to use Google-certified CMPs for personalized ads, ensuring compliance with the IAB TCF. This will expand to include CTV and Swiss traffic by July 2024, enhancing privacy standards across Europe.

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