Google Adds AI Overview Ads & AI Mode to Desktop
▼ Summary
– Search and Shopping ads in AI Overviews are now rolling out to U.S. desktop users, as announced at Google Marketing Live 2025.
– These ads will expand globally later this year to select countries on mobile and desktop, focusing on English-language queries.
– Google is testing ads in AI Mode, its advanced AI search experience designed for complex, follow-up-heavy queries.
– Advertisers using Performance Max, Shopping, and Search campaigns with broad match are automatically eligible for these new ad placements.
– The ads are designed to appear contextually within AI responses, aiming to feel assistive rather than interruptive to users.
Google has expanded its AI-powered advertising capabilities to desktop users in the U.S., introducing ads within AI Overviews and testing placements in AI Mode. This move, announced at Google Marketing Live 2025, marks a significant shift in how brands can engage with users during their search journeys.
The rollout brings Search and Shopping ads directly into AI-generated summaries, with plans to expand globally later this year for English queries across both mobile and desktop. The ads appear contextually, aiming to assist rather than disrupt users as they explore topics.
AI Mode, Google’s advanced search experience for complex queries, is also experimenting with ad integration. When users ask open-ended questions—like “how to build a website for a small business with limited resources”—they’ll receive detailed, conversational responses alongside relevant ads for tools or services.
For advertisers, this update offers automatic eligibility for Performance Max, Shopping, and broad-match Search campaigns. No additional setup is required, making it an easy way to maintain visibility as search evolves. Google also encourages brands to leverage its AI Essentials toolkit to optimize campaigns for these AI-driven placements.
The challenge lies in balancing relevance with visibility. As AI reshapes search behavior, ads must align closely with user intent to avoid feeling intrusive. Google emphasizes that placements are designed to support decision-making, appearing only when they add value to the query.
Looking ahead, the pressure is on marketers to adapt. With AI search gaining traction, staying competitive means embracing these new formats while keeping user experience at the forefront.
Related updates from Google Marketing Live 2025 include:
- AI-powered tools for Creative Ads and Video Campaigns
- The launch of Smart Bidding Exploration
- Enhanced testing and measurement features
- Agentic tools for Ads and Analytics
- An upcoming AI Marketing Advisor for Chrome
This expansion signals Google’s commitment to integrating ads seamlessly into AI-driven search, creating opportunities for brands to connect with users at critical moments.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
