May 5, 2026 • In anticipation of its Marketing Live event on May 20, Google announced three forthcoming ad updates: AI Max for Shopping campaigns, AI Brief, and text disclaimers for Search. All three use AI (with guardrails) for advertisers. AI Max for Shopping It was inevitable that AI Max would come to Shopping after its release in Search last year. AI Max for Search gives Google more control over which queries prompt ads and what those ads include. For example, say an advertiser bids on the keyword “clear storage bins.” With AI Max enabled, Google can show the ad for a query of “What are the differences between clear and plastic storage bins?” Further, Google can alter the ad text and the final URL to improve conversions. AI Max for Shopping will act similarly, with a key difference: Text ads can show from Google-generated copy based on Merchant Center data. Searchers won’t necessarily see image-based product listing ads, even though it’s a Shopping campaign.…