Get ready to upgrade your Discovery ads to Demand Gen
Granular analysis and first look
Google introduces Demand Gen, an AI-powered campaign to enhance Discovery ads. Demand Gen aims to drive demand with immersive, visual creatives and optimize performance across YouTube, Discover, and Gmail. The transition will begin in October, with automatic upgrades for all Discovery campaigns by early 2024.
Why this matters?
- Enhanced Creativity: Demand Gen integrates various ad formats, including videos, carousels, and images, within a single campaign to engage audiences effectively.
- Advanced Targeting: Lookalike segments utilize first-party data and Google’s audience signals to find new, similar customers.
- Optimized Performance: Demand Gen allows optimization for conversions, value-based bidding, and site visits, providing more control over campaign goals.
Next Steps/Action Items
- Sign Up for Beta: Enroll in the Demand Gen beta to access new features and start upgrading Discovery campaigns.
- Leverage New Features: Utilize video and image ads, lookalike segments, and advanced bidding strategies to enhance campaign performance.
- Monitor Transition: Prepare for the automatic upgrade of all Discovery campaigns by early 2024, ensuring a smooth transition with retained historical data.
Helpful links for this Google update
Learn more about past Google updates
- Jul 2026 - July 2026 Google Ads Update – Video Campaign Group Controls
- Jul 2026 - July 2026 Google Ads Update – Google Expands AI Transparency Across Ads
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – YouTube Brand Campaign Measurement Gets Stronger
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – Demand Gen Drop Adds AI Creative Tool
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – Financial Verification Expands Across Europe
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – YouTube Adds Gemini Creator Insights
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – Enhanced Local Services Ads for Home Listings bring homebuyers and local agents together
- Jun 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – YouTube Shorts Earns MRC Brand Safety Accreditation
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Ads Decoded Highlights AI’s Marketing Shift
- May 2026 - June 2026 Google Ads Update – Google Display Ads Move Into Demand Gen
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Asset Studio Adds Multimodal Creative Tools
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – UCP Brings AI Shopping Tools to Retailers
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – AI Bidding and Budgeting Tools for Search and Shopping
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Gemini Brings New AI Ad Formats to Search
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Unified Measurement with Meridian and QFCs
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Ask Advisor Connects Google’s Marketing AI Agents
- May 2026 - May 2026 Google Ads Update – Google Unifies Data and Measurement
- Apr 2026 - April 2026 Google Ads Update – Search Campaigns for Travel Bring AI Max Into Travel Ads
- Apr 2026 - April 2026 Google Ads Update – AI Max for Shopping Campaigns Expands Search Discovery
- Apr 2026 - April 2026 Google Ads Update – Albertsons Retail Signals Come to YouTube
- Apr 2026 - April 2026 Google Ads Update – Demand Gen Adds Commerce Media and View-Through Optimization
- Apr 2026 - April 2026 Google Ads Update – YouTube Creator Partnerships Expand
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