Microsoft Ads News & Updates for February 2026

Microsoft Advertising updates Performance Max with new customer acquisition tools

13 days ago

Microsoft Advertising's January 2026 update adds Performance Max's new customer acquisition feature with bid options, share of voice metrics, and asset group-level URL tracking. Audience ads gain Content Targeting on Microsoft sites. Location targeting is improved. Autogenerated assets for Responsive Search ads roll out globally, enhancing ad relevance and performance with opt-out options. Updates simplify campaign management and boost ad effectiveness.

Microsoft Advertising expands Performance Max search themes to 50

17 days ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising now allows up to 50 search themes for Performance Max campaigns, helping campaigns better target useful search behaviors. This feature is live and will be officially announced soon. Search themes can be combined with LinkedIn profile targeting and other audience signals, like Impression Based Remarketing, to better align campaigns with ideal customers.

Microsoft Advertising Updates Policies to Ban Political Ads Before Campaign Creation

4 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising will require customers to declare if their campaigns are political before creation or import starting September, in line with EU Regulation 2024/900 effective October 10, 2025. Political ads are not allowed and will be blocked. Existing campaigns remain unaffected. Non-compliance may lead to suspension. Regular reviews will ensure no political ads run, reinforcing compliance with EU rules.

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Microsoft Advertising Adds New Controls and Reporting for Audience and Search Ads

5 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising introduces new controls and reporting for Audience and Search Ads. Advertisers can now centrally manage website exclusions across accounts and campaigns, apply exclusions in bulk, and create up to 100 exclusion lists with 10,000 websites each. Exclusions can be managed at the account and campaign levels, with no changes at the ad group level. The Targeted Website List feature is in open pilot.

Microsoft Advertising Retires Target CPA and Target ROAS Bidding Strategies

7 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising will retire Target CPA and Target ROAS bidding strategies by August 4, 2025, merging them with Max Conversions and Max Conversion Value. New campaigns can't use Target CPA or ROAS after this date. Existing campaigns and portfolio strategies remain unaffected. Updates to Target CPA or ROAS auto-convert to Maximize conversions or Maximize conversion value. Users can set target ROAS or CPA within these merged strategies.

Microsoft removes over 1 billion ads and suspends 475,000 accounts to boost ad safety

7 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising removed over one billion ads and suspended 475,000 accounts in 2024 to keep the platform safe. They tackled rising AI-driven scams with updated policies and AI moderation. Efforts include fighting advertiser fraud, improving brand controls, and enabling consumer feedback. They addressed 70,000 complaints and 72,000 appeals, aiming to adapt to evolving threats and maintain trust.

Microsoft Advertising launches new Custom Report Builder and updates Performance Max

7 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft Advertising refreshed its Reporting homepage with a Custom Report Builder for tailored reports. Performance Max campaigns now compete fairly with Standard Shopping, increasing conversions by 39%. New features include scripts, automated rules, and diagnostic tools. Import tools allow carousel ads from Google and Meta as native ads with quick fixes. Shopify merchants can advertise in more markets via the Microsoft Channel app.

Microsoft Ads Launches Report Builder for Enhanced Customization in Performance Analysis

8 months ago

Microsoft Ads

Microsoft has introduced Report Builder in Microsoft Advertising, allowing advertisers to create customized reports for performance analysis. This tool provides flexibility without predefined templates, catering to all experience levels. It helps uncover insights, compare campaign performance, and optimize strategies. Advertisers can generate detailed reports and investigate performance issues, enhancing control and efficiency in the reporting process.

Microsoft Clarity Integrates with Microsoft Ads for Enhanced Performance Insights

8 months ago

Microsoft Ads Microsoft Clarity

Microsoft Ads is now integrated with Microsoft Clarity, enabling advertisers to connect ad performance with user behavior insights. This integration allows for understanding user actions post-click through session recordings and heatmaps. Advertisers can identify friction points, enhance landing page performance, and maximize return on ad spend. Key features include viewing session replays by campaign and tracking essential metrics for conversion rate optimization.

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