Google Ads newsletter - week 51 🎅

Welcome to the Google Ads newsletter. In this newsletter, you will read all the news about Google Ads from week 51.

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End of Year Sale

Good news! Instead of the regular price of €175, you can now get the Google Ads Playbook for just €150.

Don’t miss this opportunity to save €25 on this valuable resource for optimizing your Google Ads campaigns.

Act now – this offer is only available until 31-12-24.

For more information visit this link.

Google Ads news

Advertiser verification

New Google is now offering help with the advertiser verification in the docs!

New: Demand Gen Ad Preview Mode

Patrick Gehn discovered that when creating a Demand Gen ad, you can get now a complete overview of how your ad looks in the different networks and formats

Google just released the page for negative keywords in Pmax!

Note that:

- Performance Max negative keywords are applicable to Search and Shopping inventory only.

- Negative keyword lists aren’t available to use in your Performance Max campaigns.

For more information read this article.

Double ad placements

Google experiments with double ad placements for advertisers! Discovered by Anthony Higman and now confirmed by Ginny Marvin.

Looker Studio update

Data Preview in Source EditorThe data source editor now displays a preview of fields for the following data sources: Google BigQuery, Google Sheets, Looker, Microsoft Excel, and CSV uploads.

External Link WarningsWhen users click an external link, Looker Studio displays a redirect notice. This feature is being gradually released.

Inverted Triangle Funnel ChartA new "Use proportional heights" setting allows funnel charts to display category values by varying bar heights for the inverted triangle funnel style. Larger values are represented with taller bars.

Improved Field ManagementFields (calculated or not) can now be removed or hidden in data sources.Hidden/removed fields block report viewers from accessing metadata (e.g., field names and connector types), improving data governance while ensuring data democratization.

Scorecard Chart EnhancementsScorecard charts now support displaying dimensions or metrics as the primary field.

Dimensions can also have an independent sorting field.

Expanded Partner Connectors

New connectors in the Looker Studio Connector Gallery include:Social Media & Ads: TikTok Organic, Google Ads, Line Ads, and Microsoft Ads.

E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Google Merchant Center, and Prestashop.

CRM & Marketing: Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Zoho CRM, and Omnisend.Others: CoinGecko Coins, Awin, Strava, Harvest, Whatagraph, and Simpli.fi.

These updates enhance data visualization, governance, and integration capabilities in Looker Studio.

Google AI's image editor now offers expanded features to create and customize images for your assets.

These include the use of reference images and the “Generate more like this” feature.

Key Features:1. Reference ImagesAllows up to 5 images to guide style, subject, or composition.

Available for:

- Generating new images.

- Replacing backgrounds.

- Adding or replacing objects

.Usage Steps:

- Add a text prompt and reference images.

- Adjust "reference image weight" (Low, Medium, High) to control their influence.

- Generate and save the image.

Note: Reference images can’t be used for erasing objects.

2. Generate More Like This

Creates similar variations of a generated image, maintaining style and composition.Available for:

- New images.

- Background replacements.

- Adding or replacing objects.

Usage Steps:

- Select an image or object variation.

- Hover over the image, click the plus icon, or use the “More” menu to generate similar options.

- Choose a variation, apply it, and save the final image.

- Editing Applications

Generate New Images:

- Use text prompts and optionally reference images.

- Generate up to 8 image options.

Replace Backgrounds:

Define the foreground, use prompts and reference images, and view up to 4 variations.

Add or Replace Objects:

- Use the Rectangle or Brush tool to select areas or objects, then generate up to 4 options.

- Customization Tools

- Adjust brush size for precision.

- Undo changes with the backward arrow.

- Fine-tune images using AI-generated suggestions or manual edits.

These features streamline image generation and offer precise control over styling and composition.

New page for consent mode for App

Google has released some new pages to validate consent mode for App. Check them here.

Permission denied

Charles Bannister posted that the Google Ads Scripts error (PERMISSION_DENIED) is a problem at Google's end and they're looking into For more information check this page.

Clarity Ads Integration

You will soon be able to integrate Google Ads directly into Clarity. Connecting Google Ads will give you a dedicated advertising dashboard which will display all of your main campaign metrics! Discovered by Josh Silverbauer.

Google launched a new guide to getting started with Pmax

They explain that Performance Max is a goal-driven, AI-powered campaign type in Google Ads that enables advertisers to reach customers across multiple Google channels—Search, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, and more—from a single campaign.

It is designed to complement keyword-based Search campaigns by optimizing performance using Smart Bidding and other AI features based on specified conversion goals.

Key Steps to Set Up a Performance Max Campaign: Provide Business Information: Share details like your business name and URL to help Google tailor recommendations.

Link Accounts: Connect accounts (e.g., YouTube, Google Merchant Center) to expand reach.

Choose a Campaign Goal: Select your primary goal to guide optimization and set up conversion tracking. Add Search Themes (Optional): Provide insights to enhance campaign optimization.

Create Ads: Upload text, images, and other assets for Google to test and optimize.

Select a Bid Strategy:

Choose "Maximize Conversions" or "Maximize Conversion Value" based on your objectives (e.g., CPA or ROAS targets).

Set a Budget: Define an average daily budget for ad spending. Add Payment Details: Complete billing to launch your campaign.

Once launched, the campaign undergoes a learning period where Google AI optimizes performance in real time. Conversion tracking is key to measuring and refining success.

Pmax Asset-level conversions

NOW Visible in PMAX Asset-Level Conversion Data in Performance Max 👀 Found by Menachem Ani Ⓜ️!

Google Introduces Brand Guidelines for Performance Max Campaigns

Starting January 30, 2025, Google Ads will require new Performance Max (PMax) campaigns to link BUSINESS_NAME, LOGO, and LANDSCAPE_LOGO assets at the campaign level, centralizing asset management and enhancing brand control.

Key Updates: Brand Guidelines: Stricter control over branding in PMax campaigns.Campaign-Level Asset Linking:

Assets must now be linked at the campaign level for brand guidelines-enabled campaigns.

API Impact: Current API limitations require manual adjustments; future updates will fully support brand guidelines-enabled campaigns.

Why It Matters:

This change ensures consistent branding and streamlines asset management but may disrupt workflows, especially for API users.

Advertisers should prepare by updating workflows and monitoring API updates to adapt seamlessly.

Google Updates Ad Policies for Privacy and CTV

Google is updating its ad policies to address privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and the growth of Connected TV (CTV), enabling secure audience engagement.

Key Changes:

Privacy Tools: PETs protect user data while enabling tailored ads.

CTV Growth: New tools target and measure ads in the fragmented streaming landscape.

Policy Updates:

Ban on deceptive ads, stricter data use guidelines, and expanded PET use.Why It Matters:

These updates help advertisers securely leverage first-party data, reach CTV audiences, and stay competitive while respecting privacy standards.

New billing section

Zeeshan Ali discovered that the new billing section is now live in Google Ads!

New PMax Setting

Google is testing a new checkbox in the brand exclusions setup. This setting excludes brand from PMax but not from Shopping!

Spotted by Mike Ryan from Smarter Ecommerce (smec)

Use IP addresses

Google OKs the use of IP addresses by advertisers, reversing a key ad tech data policy for more information read this article.

Updates to Financial Products and Services Policy (January 2025)

Starting January 15, 2025, Google will update its Cryptocurrencies and Related Products Policy to clarify requirements for advertising cryptocurrency-related products and services in the UK.

Key Updates:

Cryptocurrency Exchanges & Software Wallets:

Advertisers must register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and meet local legal requirements. Certification by Google is required.

Hardware Wallets:

Ads allowed for wallets storing crypto keys or assets, excluding services like buying, selling, or trading. Local compliance and Google certification are required.

All advertisers must follow local laws for targeted regions. This policy applies globally.

Update Healthcare and Medicines policy

Google has updated and reorganized the Google Ads Healthcare and Medicines policy for improved clarity and readability.

This update, effective December 2024, aims to provide clearer information to advertisers, including by clarifying policy scope and adding new examples.

There are no changes to enforcement of the Healthcare and Medicines policy, including which violations under this policy are considered egregious.

Week 51 finished

That's all the news from week 51! If you want to read all the news, check my website.

Want to sponsor the newsletter? Send me a message or mail to info@adriaan-dekker.nl