Google's second Demand Gen Drops update introduces bidding optimizations and creative tools for YouTube. New Customer Only Mode improves new customer ratio by 11.5% and reduces acquisition cost by 3%. Web to App Connect now supports deep linking for iOS. Target CPC bidding enables cross-platform performance comparison. AI-generated videos enhance viewer experience and reach. Using product feeds with tROAS goals boosts conversions by 20%.
Google added Nano Banana Gemini image features to Google Search via Google Lens with a new Create mode. Launched in August as part of Gemini 2.5 Flash, Nano Banana has generated over 5 billion images. It’s now available in Google Search, NotebookLM, and soon Google Photos. In Search, users can transform images with AI. In NotebookLM, it enhances Video Overviews with new styles, illustrations, and a Brief format for quick insights.
Google is updating Search by grouping text ads under a persistent "Sponsored results" label that remains visible while scrolling, clarifying which results are ads. A new "Hide sponsored results" option lets users collapse ads to focus on organic results. This label also applies to Shopping ads as "Sponsored products." These changes aim to improve navigation and are rolling out globally on desktop and mobile.
Google introduced AI-powered updates to Discover and mobile Search. Discover now offers brief previews and links to trending topics, helping users stay updated with diverse content, available in the U.S., South Korea, and India. A new "What’s new" button in mobile Search will show trending sports updates and articles, rolling out soon in the U.S. These features enhance content discovery and sports tracking on mobile devices.
Markifact automates the creation and uploading of Meta ads using AI. Users generate custom visuals and matching ad copy by writing detailed prompts and uploading reference images. Ads are uploaded in a paused status for review before going live. This tool allows for quick creation of multiple ad variations, adaptation to market trends, and scaling of campaigns without needing extensive design or copywriting resources.
YouTube has introduced the brand pulse report, linking organic success to paid media effectiveness. This report offers a unified view of a brand's presence on YouTube, utilizing AI to assess both paid and organic content. It features metrics like Total Unique Viewers and % Share of Watch Time, illustrating how paid ads can enhance organic views. Brands can leverage these insights for better content strategies. The report is currently available for select advertisers.
Google AI Mode in Search is now available in over 200 countries and territories, including 35 new languages and 40 new regions, expanding access globally. Powered by advanced Gemini models, it offers enhanced natural language understanding and multimodal capabilities, enabling users to ask complex questions in their preferred language. Users engage with longer, deeper queries, and the rollout continues over the next week.
Google has launched AI Mode in Australia, enhancing search with advanced AI to answer complex questions quickly and comprehensively. Using Gemini models, it breaks down queries into subtopics for deeper, relevant results, supporting text, voice, and image inputs. AI Mode integrates Google's data sources and ranking systems, improving content discovery and factuality while allowing follow-up questions.
YouTube launched the YouTube Activation Partners program to support advertisers by connecting them with trusted third-party partners skilled in buying strategies and campaign management. As the leading streaming platform, YouTube aims to help brands and agencies optimize their media buying and achieve better results through this diverse network of providers.
Google Ads improved Performance Max reporting with new features for better visibility. Users can segment asset reports by devices, time, conversions, and networks, seeing performance across Search, Display, Discover, Gmail, YouTube, and Maps. Channel reporting now includes bulk downloads, cost visualization, ROI columns, segmentation by conversion action and ad event type, and diagnostics for limited serving. More updates are coming.
