Google Expands AI Mode With New Ad Placements For Advertisers
Google unveils Conversational Discovery ads and Highlighted Answers in AI Mode, signaling how advertising may evolve inside conversational, AI-powered Search experiences.
Brooke Osmundson
Director of Growth Marketing
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Brooke serves as the Director of Growth Marketing at Smith Micro Software, with over 10 years of paid media experience. She helps the business grow their digital strategies using tactics from paid search, social media, programmatic marketing, and more. With her experience and passion in analytics, strategic planning and everything digital, she helps create relevant customer experience strategies at every stage of the user funnel.
Previously, she’s held positions at NordicClick Interactive as the Senior Director of Digital Strategy, and an in-house E-Commerce PPC Specialist/Analyst for Invitations by Dawn, Inc.
Brooke has been featured in several international marketing publications, including The Journal of Digital & Social Media Marketing and Econsultancy. She’s spoken at countless industry conferences and events including SMX, PubCon Pro, MnSearch, Zenith, and Agents of Change. She’s also contributed to multiple US Search Awards winnings for “Best Use of Video in a Search Campaign” and “Best Use Of Search – B2B”.
When not working, you can find her enjoying a round of golf, catching up on the latest episodes of Law & Order SVU or completing never-ending house renovations.
Articles
YouTube Brings Conversational Search And Gemini Omni To Creators
YouTube introduced Gemini Omni AI remixing and Ask YouTube conversational search, raising new questions around discovery, creator tools, and future measurement challenges.
Google Announces New Universal Cart At I/O
Google introduced Universal Cart at Google I/O, a new intelligent shopping cart and agentic hub for shopping on Google.
Google Quietly Alters Search Terms Reporting For AI Queries In Google Ads
Google quietly updated Search Terms reporting for AI Mode, AI Overviews, Lens, and autocomplete. Here’s why advertisers may be concerned about interpreted queries.
Google Ads Rolls Out Journey-Aware Bidding And New Pacing Controls For Advertisers
Google Ads introduces Journey-aware Bidding, Smart Bidding Exploration expansion, and new budget pacing updates for Search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns.
Google Shares How Brands Should Use AI Creative To Stand Out
Google addressed growing concerns around repetitive AI-generated ads, advertiser controls, and how brands can maintain differentiation at scale.
OpenAI Launches Self-Serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT
OpenAI officially launches self-serve ChatGPT ads with CPC bidding, conversion tracking, and expanded advertiser access through its new Ads Manager platform.
New Optmyzr Data: Google Ads Engagement Jumps While Efficiency Stays Flat
Google Ads CTR is rising, but conversions remain flat. New Optmyzr data explains why performance is shifting and what it means for advertisers.
Google AI Max Adds New Brief And Text Disclaimer Controls
Google adds AI Brief and text disclaimers to AI Max. See how new controls help regulated advertisers adopt automation while maintaining compliance and messaging accuracy.
Google Launches AI Max For Shopping and Travel Campaigns
Google expands AI Max to Shopping and Travel campaigns. Learn what’s changing, how it works, and what advertisers should prepare for ahead of broader rollout.
Do AI Mode Ads Actually Convert Better Than Manual Campaigns? – Ask A PPC
Can AI Mode ads drive conversions or just awareness? Learn how to evaluate performance, set realistic expectations, and measure incremental growth.
Why Microsoft’s AI Ad Strategy Deserves More Attention From PPC Managers
Microsoft’s AI ad strategy looks different from Google’s. Here’s what PPC managers may be missing and which updates deserve a closer look.
Google’s Product Feed Strategy Points To The Future Of Retail Discovery
Google’s product data push goes beyond Shopping ads. Learn why feed optimization now matters for AI search, free listings, YouTube, and retail visibility.
Google Is Replacing Dynamic Search Ads With AI Max
Google replaces Dynamic Search Ads with AI Max. Learn what’s changing, when migrations begin, and what advertisers should do before September upgrades.
How To Measure PPC Performance When AI Controls The Auction
Measure PPC performance in 2026 with AI-driven auctions, smarter attribution, profit-based metrics, and reporting frameworks built for Google Ads automation and AI search.
Google’s Push For Data Strength Is Really A Push For Better Bidding
Google is doubling down on Data Strength as conversion signals become more critical to bidding, performance, and how campaigns are optimized.
ChatGPT Ads: New Acquisition Channel Or Just Another Brand Tax?
OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT Ads and launching self-serve access. Here’s what PPC managers should know before deciding whether it deserves real budget.
Google Adds Scenario Planner, Performance Max Updates, And Veo – PPC Pulse
This week’s PPC Pulse covers Performance Max reporting updates, GA4 budget planning tools, and Veo AI video in Google Ads.
Google Adds New Performance Max Controls And Reporting Features
Google introduces Performance Max updates, including audience exclusions, budget projections, and expanded reporting to give advertisers more visibility and control over campaign performance.
Google Analytics Launches Scenario Planner and Projections
Google Analytics launched Scenario Planner and Projections to help advertisers forecast performance, optimize budgets, and plan cross-channel media spend more strategically.
Google Ads Creative Tools Expand, Microsoft Simplifies Bidding – PPC Pulse
The latest PPC Pulse highlights Microsoft’s bidding updates, Google’s expanded creative tools, and Nano Banana Pro’s availability inside Google Ads.
SEO Vs. PPC Strategy: What’s Right For Your Business?
Decide where to invest by understanding how SEO and PPC truly scale, compete, and drive business growth differently.
Merchant Center Expands, Google Clarifies Smart Bidding, State Of PPC Report – PPC Pulse
The latest PPC Pulse highlights Google’s agency-focused Merchant Center rollout, Smart Bidding guidance for new campaigns, and emerging AI usage trends in PPC.
AI Max Brand Controls Expand, VRC Non-Skip Ads Go Global – PPC Pulse
AI copy guardrails and expanded YouTube non-skip video formats headline this week’s Google Ads updates in PPC Pulse.
What SMEC’s Data Reveals About AI Max Performance
New SMEC study analyzes AI Max in Google Ads Search campaigns, showing a 13% conversion value lift but higher CPA and unpredictable ROAS results.
Google’s Asset Guidance & Ad Scheduling Updates, Microsoft Negatives – PPC Pulse
This week’s PPC Pulse recaps Google’s evolving Search asset guidance, revised budget pacing behavior, and Microsoft’s rollout of self-serve negative lists for PMax.
International PPC: Why Consistency Is So Hard To Maintain
Keep international PPC campaigns aligned with practical frameworks for consistency, localization, and multi-agency coordination.
15 Smarter Interview Questions For Hiring Digital Marketers In 2026
Hire better digital marketers with these interview questions that expose real strategic and performance thinking.
New Meridian Tool, Performance Max Learning Path – PPC Pulse
This week’s PPC Pulse covers Google’s new Meridian Scenario Planner and Microsoft’s hands-on Performance Max training updates.
Shopping Ads Testing In AI Mode, Microsoft’s AI Search Guide & Keyword Strategy Shift – PPC Pulse
The latest PPC Pulse highlights Google’s AI Mode ad experiments, Microsoft’s AI discovery framework, and the continued evolution of search campaign structure.