<div><img width="1920" height="1081" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Semify acquires Dragon Metrics" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Semify is a white-label digital marketing platform. Dragon Metrics is an international SEO and AI reporting provider.

<div><img width="1920" height="1081" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Semify acquires Dragon Metrics" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/semify-dragon-metrics-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Semify acquired Dragon Metrics, a Hong Kong–based SEO, AI, and PPC reporting platform known for its international reach. The move boosts Semify’s reporting strength and AI optimization tools as the search landscape shifts more toward AI.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> Dragon Metrics customers can expect business as usual, plus faster product updates. Co-founder Simon Lesser <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simonlesser_im-beyond-thrilled-to-share-that-dragon-ugcPost-7403777978221924352-uMnZ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said on LinkedIn</a> that the platform will stay a standalone brand with the same contacts and product experience. Customers also gain access to Semify’s growing AI optimization methodology and future software integrations.</p>



<p><strong>About the acquisition.</strong> Semify <a href="https://semify.com/blog/semify-acquires-dragon-metrics-to-accelerate-global-ai-optimization-capabilities-and-expand-international-market-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> on Dec. 8 that it is acquiring Dragon Metrics:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Founded in 2008, Semify is a U.S.-based white-label digital marketing platform.</li>



<li>Founded in 2011, Dragon Metrics serves multinational brands and agencies in 50+ countries, including regions where Google is not the dominant search engine (China, Korea, Japan). </li>



<li>The deal gives Semify an enterprise-grade reporting system and global data coverage as it doubles down on AI-driven measurement.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>The details.</strong> Lesser will join Semify as chief product officer and lead its AI optimization product strategy. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Dragon Metrics’ engineering team will merge with Semify’s team under CTO Brian Sappey. </li>



<li>Semify resellers will gain upgraded reporting right away through Dragon Metrics accounts, with deeper integrations to follow. </li>



<li>Dragon Metrics customers will stay on the standalone platform with expanded engineering support. </li>



<li>White-label fulfillment will remain limited to approved agencies to fit Semify’s reseller model.</li>
</ul>


Semify acquired Dragon Metrics, a Hong Kong–based SEO, AI, and PPC reporting platform known for its international reach. The move boosts Semify’s reporting strength and AI optimization tools as the search landscape shifts more toward AI.
Why we care. Dragon Metrics customers can expect business as usual, plus faster product updates. Co-founder Simon Lesser said on LinkedIn that the platform will stay a standalone brand with the same contacts and product experience. Customers also gain access to Semify’s growing AI optimization methodology and future software integrations.
About the acquisition. Semify announced on Dec. 8 that it is acquiring Dragon Metrics:
Founded in 2008, Semify is a U.S.-based white-label digital marketing platform.
Founded in 2011, Dragon Metrics serves multinational brands and agencies in 50+ countries, including regions where Google is not the dominant search engine (China, Korea, Japan). 
The deal gives Semify an enterprise-grade reporting system and global data coverage as it doubles down on AI-driven measurement.
The details. Lesser will join Semify as chief product officer and lead its AI optimization product strategy. 
Dragon Metrics’ engineering team will merge with Semify’s team under CTO Brian Sappey. 
Semify resellers will gain upgraded reporting right away through Dragon Metrics accounts, with deeper integrations to follow. 
Dragon Metrics customers will stay on the standalone platform with expanded engineering support. 
White-label fulfillment will remain limited to approved agencies to fit Semify’s reseller model.

Semify is a white-label digital marketing platform. Dragon Metrics is an international SEO and AI reporting provider.

Semify acquires Dragon Metrics to strengthen global SEO, AI reporting

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="The ultimate Shopify SEO and AI readiness playbook" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Shopify’s Product Network lets advertisers reach shoppers across multiple merchant sites with contextually relevant products.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="The ultimate Shopify SEO and AI readiness playbook" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/The-ultimate-Shopify-SEO-and-AI-readiness-playbook-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Shopify is expanding its advertising ambitions with the Shopify Product Network, a new system that surfaces products from participating merchants – even when a store doesn’t sell the item a shopper is viewing.</p>



<p><strong>The pitch</strong>. If a shopper searches for “organic cleaning supplies” on a Shopify store that doesn’t carry them, the Product Network can show alternatives from other merchants. These items may also appear on another store’s homepage, blending in with its own inventory. Shoppers can buy everything in a single cart, often without realizing some products come from different merchants.</p>



<p><strong>Shopify’s angle</strong>. The Product Network mirrors ad platforms like Google Performance Max, Meta Advantage+ Shopping, and Amazon Performance+. Advertisers set a cost-per-acquisition target, and the system automatically optimizes the rest.</p>



<p>Key difference: Shopify emphasizes merchandising over advertising. Network placements only appear if contextually relevant, rather than filling predefined ad spots.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Amanda Engelman, Shopify’s advertising product director, says, “It’s just a different approach to the world.”</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Revenue and structure</strong>. Shopify has long avoided heavy ad monetization. For example, its Audiences program builds customer segments for use on channels like Google and Meta without taking a cut of ad spend.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Merchants in the Product Network earn commissions on third-party products, paid in cash or Shopify ad credits, which effectively fuel their off-site ad budgets.</li>



<li>The Product Network follows the same principle. Early placements are driven by context rather than revenue. Over time, the system could prioritize higher-commission items while still optimizing for purchase likelihood.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> <a href="https://www.adexchanger.com/commerce/shopify-launches-a-product-network-that-will-natively-integrate-items-from-across-merchants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shopify’s Product Network</a> gives advertisers a new way to reach shoppers across a wide network of independent merchants – without requiring those merchants to stock their products. By surfacing relevant items contextually, whether in search results or directly on another store’s homepage, advertisers gain broader exposure while the shopping experience stays seamless.</p>



<p>Unlike traditional ads, the network optimizes for conversions and purchase likelihood instead of simply filling ad space, which can deliver higher-quality traffic. Merchants also earn commissions on third-party sales, creating a clear incentive to participate and expanding the network’s reach and value for advertisers.</p>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. Shopify plans to refine personalization and monetization as the network grows, but its core goal remains the same: keep shoppers on the platform and help merchants sell more – even when the products aren’t theirs.</p>


Shopify is expanding its advertising ambitions with the Shopify Product Network, a new system that surfaces products from participating merchants – even when a store doesn’t sell the item a shopper is viewing.
The pitch. If a shopper searches for “organic cleaning supplies” on a Shopify store that doesn’t carry them, the Product Network can show alternatives from other merchants. These items may also appear on another store’s homepage, blending in with its own inventory. Shoppers can buy everything in a single cart, often without realizing some products come from different merchants.
Shopify’s angle. The Product Network mirrors ad platforms like Google Performance Max, Meta Advantage+ Shopping, and Amazon Performance+. Advertisers set a cost-per-acquisition target, and the system automatically optimizes the rest.
Key difference: Shopify emphasizes merchandising over advertising. Network placements only appear if contextually relevant, rather than filling predefined ad spots.
Amanda Engelman, Shopify’s advertising product director, says, “It’s just a different approach to the world.”
Revenue and structure. Shopify has long avoided heavy ad monetization. For example, its Audiences program builds customer segments for use on channels like Google and Meta without taking a cut of ad spend.
Merchants in the Product Network earn commissions on third-party products, paid in cash or Shopify ad credits, which effectively fuel their off-site ad budgets.
The Product Network follows the same principle. Early placements are driven by context rather than revenue. Over time, the system could prioritize higher-commission items while still optimizing for purchase likelihood.
Why we care. Shopify’s Product Network gives advertisers a new way to reach shoppers across a wide network of independent merchants – without requiring those merchants to stock their products. By surfacing relevant items contextually, whether in search results or directly on another store’s homepage, advertisers gain broader exposure while the shopping experience stays seamless.
Unlike traditional ads, the network optimizes for conversions and purchase likelihood instead of simply filling ad space, which can deliver higher-quality traffic. Merchants also earn commissions on third-party sales, creating a clear incentive to participate and expanding the network’s reach and value for advertisers.
What’s next. Shopify plans to refine personalization and monetization as the network grows, but its core goal remains the same: keep shoppers on the platform and help merchants sell more – even when the products aren’t theirs.

Shopify’s Product Network lets advertisers reach shoppers across multiple merchant sites with contextually relevant products.

Shopify launches Product Network to blend items across merchants

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-800x450.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="5 LinkedIn Ads mistakes that could be hurting your campaigns" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-800x450.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-600x338.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-200x113.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-1536x864.png 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>LinkedIn’s updates help B2B marketers reach buyers earlier with faster creative workflows, smarter targeting, and stronger feed visibility.

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-800x450.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="5 LinkedIn Ads mistakes that could be hurting your campaigns" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-800x450.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-600x338.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-200x113.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns-1536x864.png 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/02/5-LinkedIn-Ads-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-campaigns.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>LinkedIn is rolling out new ad tools that help you boost brand awareness, personalize your messages, and speed up creative work so you can reach potential buyers earlier in the funnel.</p>



<p><strong>What’s new</strong>. LinkedIn announced these new features:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Reserved Ads</strong> give your brand prime placement in the LinkedIn feed, delivering premium visibility, predictable impressions, and a greater share of top-of-feed attention than competitors. The format works across Video, Thought Leader, Single Image, and Document Ads, helping brands maximize creative impact.</li>



<li><strong>Ad personalization</strong> lets messages adjust dynamically using profile data such as first name, job title, industry, or company. It matters: 71% of consumers expect personalized messaging, and 76% get frustrated when it’s missing (McKinsey).</li>



<li><strong>AI-powered creative tools</strong> make it easier to test multiple ad variations. AI Ad Variants generate fresh, on-brand copy from one seed input, while Flexible Ad Creation (rolling out in early 2026) lets marketers upload multiple assets that LinkedIn will automatically mix, match, and optimize for performance.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> LinkedIn’s updates may make it easier for brands to get noticed, personalize their ads, and produce creative faster. Reserved Ads guarantee top-of-feed placement, while Ad Personalization adjusts messages based on a person’s name, company, or job title to make them feel more relevant. New AI tools also help create and test ads quickly, improving engagement and reaching early-stage buyers more efficiently.</p>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. B2B advertisers should experiment with Reserved Ads, ad personalization, and AI-driven creative tools to strengthen top-of-funnel impact, refine messaging, and optimize performance – all without adding significant manual effort.</p>



<p><strong>LinkedIn&#8217;s announcement.</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/business/marketing/blog/linkedin-ads/linkedin-ads-reserved-ads-ad-personalization-ai-ad-variants-flexible-ad-creation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How New LinkedIn Features Help You Scale Personalized Creative and Boost Awareness</a></p>



<p></p>


LinkedIn is rolling out new ad tools that help you boost brand awareness, personalize your messages, and speed up creative work so you can reach potential buyers earlier in the funnel.
What’s new. LinkedIn announced these new features:
Reserved Ads give your brand prime placement in the LinkedIn feed, delivering premium visibility, predictable impressions, and a greater share of top-of-feed attention than competitors. The format works across Video, Thought Leader, Single Image, and Document Ads, helping brands maximize creative impact.
Ad personalization lets messages adjust dynamically using profile data such as first name, job title, industry, or company. It matters: 71% of consumers expect personalized messaging, and 76% get frustrated when it’s missing (McKinsey).
AI-powered creative tools make it easier to test multiple ad variations. AI Ad Variants generate fresh, on-brand copy from one seed input, while Flexible Ad Creation (rolling out in early 2026) lets marketers upload multiple assets that LinkedIn will automatically mix, match, and optimize for performance.
Why we care. LinkedIn’s updates may make it easier for brands to get noticed, personalize their ads, and produce creative faster. Reserved Ads guarantee top-of-feed placement, while Ad Personalization adjusts messages based on a person’s name, company, or job title to make them feel more relevant. New AI tools also help create and test ads quickly, improving engagement and reaching early-stage buyers more efficiently.
What’s next. B2B advertisers should experiment with Reserved Ads, ad personalization, and AI-driven creative tools to strengthen top-of-funnel impact, refine messaging, and optimize performance – all without adding significant manual effort.
LinkedIn’s announcement. How New LinkedIn Features Help You Scale Personalized Creative and Boost Awareness

LinkedIn’s updates help B2B marketers reach buyers earlier with faster creative workflows, smarter targeting, and stronger feed visibility.

LinkedIn introduces Reserved Ads, ad personalization, new AI tools

<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Google’s new Developer Assistant lets advertisers and developers use plain language to generate, run, and export Google Ads API queries.

<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/04/google-api-data-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>Google is releasing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0, a new Gemini CLI extension that lets developers interact with the Ads API using natural language — turning plain-English prompts into answers, code, and even live API calls.</p>



<p><strong>How it works.</strong> The assistant sits inside the Gemini CLI and uses project context from GEMINI.md and configuration files to generate accurate code based on the user&#8217;s environment. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Ask a question — for example, <em>“How do I filter by date in GAQL?”</em> — and it delivers instant guidance. </li>



<li>Describe a task — <em>“Show me campaigns with the most conversions in the last 30 days”</em> — and it outputs both the GAQL query and a complete Python script aligned with best practices in the <code>google-ads-python</code> client library.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Key features</strong>. Developers can run generated scripts directly from the terminal to execute read-only API calls, with results displayed in neatly formatted tables. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The tool also supports CSV export for any tabular output, saving files to a dedicated directory on command. </li>



<li>Code generated through the assistant is automatically organized into a <code>saved_code/</code> folder.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> The new Developer Assistant helps teams build, test, and refine Google Ads API workflows faster. It turns natural language into GAQL queries and ready-to-run code, which cuts technical roadblocks and speeds up the insights that fuel smarter optimization. With one-command execution and easy CSV exports, analysts and engineers spend less time wrestling with code and more time improving performance.</p>



<p><strong>The big picture</strong>. Google is positioning the assistant as both an educational entry point and a productivity booster. For newcomers, natural language prompts flatten the learning curve. </p>



<p>For power users, code generation, automatic file organization, and command-line execution remove repetitive work from day-to-day API operations.</p>



<p><strong>Getting started</strong>. Developers need a Google Ads API token, a configured <code>google-ads.yaml</code>, Python 3.10+, the Gemini CLI, and a local clone of the <code>google-ads-python</code> library. A setup script can handle the cloning, and full instructions are available on GitHub.</p>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. Google is encouraging early adopters to submit feedback, request features, and participate in the community <a href="https://discord.com/invite/Xfb4MHt8fA">Discord channel</a> as it explores additional enhancements and AI-driven tooling.</p>



<p><strong>Google&#8217;s announement</strong>. <a href="http://ads-developers.googleblog.com/2025/12/introducing-google-ads-api-developer.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Introducing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0: Interact with the API using Natural Language</a></p>


Google is releasing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0, a new Gemini CLI extension that lets developers interact with the Ads API using natural language — turning plain-English prompts into answers, code, and even live API calls.
How it works. The assistant sits inside the Gemini CLI and uses project context from GEMINI.md and configuration files to generate accurate code based on the user’s environment. 
Ask a question — for example, “How do I filter by date in GAQL?” — and it delivers instant guidance. 
Describe a task — “Show me campaigns with the most conversions in the last 30 days” — and it outputs both the GAQL query and a complete Python script aligned with best practices in the google-ads-python client library.
Key features. Developers can run generated scripts directly from the terminal to execute read-only API calls, with results displayed in neatly formatted tables. 
The tool also supports CSV export for any tabular output, saving files to a dedicated directory on command. 
Code generated through the assistant is automatically organized into a saved_code/ folder.
Why we care. The new Developer Assistant helps teams build, test, and refine Google Ads API workflows faster. It turns natural language into GAQL queries and ready-to-run code, which cuts technical roadblocks and speeds up the insights that fuel smarter optimization. With one-command execution and easy CSV exports, analysts and engineers spend less time wrestling with code and more time improving performance.
The big picture. Google is positioning the assistant as both an educational entry point and a productivity booster. For newcomers, natural language prompts flatten the learning curve. 
For power users, code generation, automatic file organization, and command-line execution remove repetitive work from day-to-day API operations.
Getting started. Developers need a Google Ads API token, a configured google-ads.yaml, Python 3.10+, the Gemini CLI, and a local clone of the google-ads-python library. A setup script can handle the cloning, and full instructions are available on GitHub.
What’s next. Google is encouraging early adopters to submit feedback, request features, and participate in the community Discord channel as it explores additional enhancements and AI-driven tooling.
Google’s announement. Introducing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0: Interact with the API using Natural Language

Google’s new Developer Assistant lets advertisers and developers use plain language to generate, run, and export Google Ads API queries.

Google launches natural language Developer Assistant for Google Ads API

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Instagram Your Algorithm" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>The new Instagram feature reveals what the algorithm thinks you like and lets you adjust it, reshaping how content gets recommended on Reels.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Instagram Your Algorithm" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Instagram launched <em>Your Algorithm</em> in the U.S. today, a tool that lets people see – and directly edit – the topics shaping their Reels recommendations.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> This could reshape how users discover content. When people signal interest in specific niches, hobbies, or brands – from running shoes to vintage clothing to home organizers – Instagram may surface more of that content, boosting reach for brands that publish relevant Reels.</p>



<p><strong>How it works.</strong> A new Reels icon opens a personalized list of topics (e.g., sports, thrifting, horror movies, pop music, chess, day in the life, college football, skateboarding) Instagram believes &#8220;you’ve been into&#8221; lately, generated by Meta’s AI. You can:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tap to see more or less of any topic, or add your own. </li>



<li>Share your algorithm snapshot to Stories.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1186" height="806" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-466015" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm.jpg 1186w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/instagram-your-algorithm-768x522.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1186px) 100vw, 1186px" /></figure>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s next.</strong> The tool will expand to Explore, the search tab, and other surfaces, with a global English rollout planned, Instagram said. These controls will extend beyond Reels in the future.</p>



<p><strong>What Instagram is saying.</strong> Tessa Lyons, Instagram’s vice president of product, told <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91457068/instagram-your-algorithm">Fast Company</a>:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“We’re always trying to show people the best possible reels for them. I think we do a pretty good job today, but we don’t always get it right, and we know that people’s interests change. What we really want to do is give people control over the experience that they have on Instagram.”</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Similar to TikTok’s feature.</strong> TikTok introduced a <em>Manage Topics</em> tool last year, but its controls are broader and less personalized. Users choose from generic categories like travel or current affairs, while Instagram’s list is individualized and driven by each person’s recent activity.</p>



<p><strong>The announcement.</strong> Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, shared the news <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSFa4TvEgUU/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">via Instagram</a>.<br></p>


Instagram launched Your Algorithm in the U.S. today, a tool that lets people see – and directly edit – the topics shaping their Reels recommendations.
Why we care. This could reshape how users discover content. When people signal interest in specific niches, hobbies, or brands – from running shoes to vintage clothing to home organizers – Instagram may surface more of that content, boosting reach for brands that publish relevant Reels.
How it works. A new Reels icon opens a personalized list of topics (e.g., sports, thrifting, horror movies, pop music, chess, day in the life, college football, skateboarding) Instagram believes “you’ve been into” lately, generated by Meta’s AI. You can:
Tap to see more or less of any topic, or add your own. 
Share your algorithm snapshot to Stories.




What’s next. The tool will expand to Explore, the search tab, and other surfaces, with a global English rollout planned, Instagram said. These controls will extend beyond Reels in the future.
What Instagram is saying. Tessa Lyons, Instagram’s vice president of product, told Fast Company:
“We’re always trying to show people the best possible reels for them. I think we do a pretty good job today, but we don’t always get it right, and we know that people’s interests change. What we really want to do is give people control over the experience that they have on Instagram.”
Similar to TikTok’s feature. TikTok introduced a Manage Topics tool last year, but its controls are broader and less personalized. Users choose from generic categories like travel or current affairs, while Instagram’s list is individualized and driven by each person’s recent activity.
The announcement. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, shared the news via Instagram.

The new Instagram feature reveals what the algorithm thinks you like and lets you adjust it, reshaping how content gets recommended on Reels.

Instagram’s new ‘Your Algorithm’ tool could boost discovery for brands

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-800x450.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-600x338.jpg 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-200x113.jpg 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-150x84.jpg 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Spotlighting subscriptions are coming to Gemini first and then AI Mode and AI Overviews within Google Search.

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-800x450.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-600x338.jpg 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-200x113.jpg 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920-150x84.jpg 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2015/11/google-news-2015b-ss-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>Google is rolling out <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-preferred-sources-rolling-out-in-us-and-india-460631">Preferred Sources</a> globally after launching it in the US and India last August. Google also <a href="https://blog.google/products/search/tools-partnerships-web-ecosystem/">announced</a> Spotlighting subscriptions, a feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions in Gemini and will soon appear in Google Search through AI Overviews and AI Mode.</p>



<p><strong>Preferred Sources. </strong>Preferred Sources let searchers star publications in the <em>Top Stories</em> section of Google Search, and Google uses that signal to show more stories from those starred outlets. The feature entered <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-search-tests-preferred-sources-for-top-stories-457640">beta in June</a>, rolled out in the U.S. and India in <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-preferred-sources-rolling-out-in-us-and-india-460631">August</a>, and is now expanding globally.</p>



<p>Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, wrote:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>&#8220;We’re now launching this feature globally: in the coming days, it will be available for English-language users worldwide, and we’ll roll it out to all supported languages early next year.&#8221; </li>



<li>&#8220;People have selected a wide range of preferred sources — nearly 90,000 unique sources, from local blogs to global news outlets.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<p>When someone chooses a preferred source, they click through to that site twice as often on average, Google told me.</p>



<p><strong>How it works.</strong> You click the star icon to the right of the <em>Top Stories</em> header in search results. After that, you can choose your preferred sources – assuming the site is publishing fresh content.</p>



<p>Google will then start to show you more of the latest updates from your selected sites in Top Stories “when they have new articles or posts that are relevant to your search,” Google added.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1000" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Preferred-Sources-How-To.png" alt="Preferred Sources How To" class="wp-image-460630" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Preferred-Sources-How-To.png 2000w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Preferred-Sources-How-To-768x384.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Preferred-Sources-How-To-1536x768.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Spotlighting subscriptions. </strong>Google also announced Spotlighting subscriptions, a new feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions, “making it easier to spot content from sources you trust and helping you get more value from your subscriptions.”</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Google will prioritize links from your subscribed publications and surface them in a dedicated carousel.</li>



<li>The feature is coming first to the Gemini app in the next few weeks, with AI Overviews and AI Mode to follow.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>Top Stories can drive meaningful traffic to publishers, so becoming a reader’s preferred source can be a valuable boost. You might look for a tasteful way to encourage loyal visitors to star your site—such as adding a small icon in your site or newsletter that reminds readers they can set your publication as a preferred source. With any luck, this gives publishers more ways to capture traffic and revenue.</p>


Google is rolling out Preferred Sources globally after launching it in the US and India last August. Google also announced Spotlighting subscriptions, a feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions in Gemini and will soon appear in Google Search through AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Preferred Sources. Preferred Sources let searchers star publications in the Top Stories section of Google Search, and Google uses that signal to show more stories from those starred outlets. The feature entered beta in June, rolled out in the U.S. and India in August, and is now expanding globally.
Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, wrote:
“We’re now launching this feature globally: in the coming days, it will be available for English-language users worldwide, and we’ll roll it out to all supported languages early next year.” 
“People have selected a wide range of preferred sources — nearly 90,000 unique sources, from local blogs to global news outlets.”
When someone chooses a preferred source, they click through to that site twice as often on average, Google told me.
How it works. You click the star icon to the right of the Top Stories header in search results. After that, you can choose your preferred sources – assuming the site is publishing fresh content.
Google will then start to show you more of the latest updates from your selected sites in Top Stories “when they have new articles or posts that are relevant to your search,” Google added.




Spotlighting subscriptions. Google also announced Spotlighting subscriptions, a new feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions, “making it easier to spot content from sources you trust and helping you get more value from your subscriptions.”
Google will prioritize links from your subscribed publications and surface them in a dedicated carousel.
The feature is coming first to the Gemini app in the next few weeks, with AI Overviews and AI Mode to follow.
Why we care. Top Stories can drive meaningful traffic to publishers, so becoming a reader’s preferred source can be a valuable boost. You might look for a tasteful way to encourage loyal visitors to star your site—such as adding a small icon in your site or newsletter that reminds readers they can set your publication as a preferred source. With any luck, this gives publishers more ways to capture traffic and revenue.

Spotlighting subscriptions are coming to Gemini first and then AI Mode and AI Overviews within Google Search.

Google rolling out Preferred Sources globally and announces Spotlighting subscriptions

<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Google AI Mode now has more useful inline links while Google's expanded Web Guide is faster and surfaces smarter, deeper results.

<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/03/google-ai-robot2-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>Google is updating the links in AI Mode to make them more inviting to click. Google also expanded the Web Guides Labs test to the <em>All</em> tab, though you still need to opt in to try it.</p>



<p><strong>Links in AI Mode. </strong>Google is &#8220;increasing the number of inline links in AI Mode, and updating the design of those links to make them more useful,&#8221; Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, <a href="https://blog.google/products/search/tools-partnerships-web-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Google is also adding short contextual introductions to embedded links in AI Mode responses. These quick notes explain why a link might be worth clicking.</li>



<li>We&#8217;ve seen Google test different <a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-mode-anchor-text-url-base-links-39211.html">inline</a> and <a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-mode-hover-style-inline-links-40511.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contextual links</a> styles in AI Mode, and it’s now rolling out some of those experiences. </li>



<li>Stein <a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-tests-ai-mode-changes-encourage-clicks-39996.html">told us</a> in August that these features were coming, and now they’re here.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>What it looks like. </strong>Here&#8217;s a screenshot.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="2048" height="866" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/google-ai-mode-link-cards-scaled.png" alt="" class="wp-image-465977" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/google-ai-mode-link-cards-scaled.png 2048w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/google-ai-mode-link-cards-768x325.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/google-ai-mode-link-cards-1536x650.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Expanding Web Guide to <em>All</em> tab. </strong>Google first added the <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-web-guide-for-ai-organized-search-results-459439">Web Guide</a> feature in the <em>Web</em> tab for those who opted into the search experiment. Now Google is rolling out Web Guide to the <em>All</em> tab. You still need to be in the search experiment.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>&#8220;We&#8217;ve heard positive feedback from users and websites about Web Guide, which helps people find links they may not have previously discovered and uses AI to organize links into helpful topic groups,&#8221; Google wrote.</li>



<li>Google also said it doubled Web Guide’s speed.</li>



<li>We spotted Google testing <a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-web-guide-all-tab-40484.html">Web Guide in the <em>All</em> tab earlier</a>.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>What is Web Guide. </strong>Web Guide groups web links in helpful ways, pulling together pages that address specific parts of your query, Google said. It also uses a query fan-out technique – similar to AI Mode – by firing off multiple related searches at once to surface the most relevant results.</p>



<p>Google told me:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Web Guide uses a custom version of Gemini to better understand both a search query and content on the web, creating more powerful search capabilities that better surface web pages you may not have previously discovered.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>Encouraging clicks from Google’s AI experiences, including AI Mode and AI Overviews, is welcome. We hope it drives more traffic to publishers and websites. Web Guide is also an experience that many in the search marketing community value. We’d like to see Google release it more broadly, without requiring a Search Labs opt-in.</p>


Google is updating the links in AI Mode to make them more inviting to click. Google also expanded the Web Guides Labs test to the All tab, though you still need to opt in to try it.
Links in AI Mode. Google is “increasing the number of inline links in AI Mode, and updating the design of those links to make them more useful,” Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, wrote.
Google is also adding short contextual introductions to embedded links in AI Mode responses. These quick notes explain why a link might be worth clicking.
We’ve seen Google test different inline and contextual links styles in AI Mode, and it’s now rolling out some of those experiences. 
Stein told us in August that these features were coming, and now they’re here.
What it looks like. Here’s a screenshot.




Expanding Web Guide to All tab. Google first added the Web Guide feature in the Web tab for those who opted into the search experiment. Now Google is rolling out Web Guide to the All tab. You still need to be in the search experiment.
“We’ve heard positive feedback from users and websites about Web Guide, which helps people find links they may not have previously discovered and uses AI to organize links into helpful topic groups,” Google wrote.
Google also said it doubled Web Guide’s speed.
We spotted Google testing Web Guide in the All tab earlier.
What is Web Guide. Web Guide groups web links in helpful ways, pulling together pages that address specific parts of your query, Google said. It also uses a query fan-out technique – similar to AI Mode – by firing off multiple related searches at once to surface the most relevant results.
Google told me:
“Web Guide uses a custom version of Gemini to better understand both a search query and content on the web, creating more powerful search capabilities that better surface web pages you may not have previously discovered.”
Why we care. Encouraging clicks from Google’s AI experiences, including AI Mode and AI Overviews, is welcome. We hope it drives more traffic to publishers and websites. Web Guide is also an experience that many in the search marketing community value. We’d like to see Google release it more broadly, without requiring a Search Labs opt-in.

Google AI Mode now has more useful inline links while Google's expanded Web Guide is faster and surfaces smarter, deeper results.

Google updates links in AI Mode and expands Web Guide test in all tab

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="How to use YouTube Ads to drive B2B conversions" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>YouTube’s latest Shorts updates give advertisers more interactive, creator-driven tools to boost engagement and drive holiday conversions.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="How to use YouTube Ads to drive B2B conversions" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-How-to-use-YouTube-Ads-to-drive-B2B-conversions-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>YouTube is rolling out new ad features for Shorts to help brands stretch their holiday budgets and tap into the momentum of short-form video.</p>



<p><strong>What’s new:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Comments on Shorts ads:</strong> Advertisers can now turn on comments for eligible Shorts ads, making the ad experience feel more organic and opening new paths for real-time audience engagement.</li>



<li><strong>Creator links to brand sites:</strong> Shorts creators posting branded content can now link directly to a brand’s website, giving viewers a seamless path from discovery to action.</li>



<li><strong>Shorts ads on mobile web:</strong> YouTube is extending Shorts ad placements to the mobile web, adding another way to reach viewers as they switch between devices – from TV to desktop to mobile apps.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care</strong>. These updates make Shorts ads more interactive, natural, and actionable, which can help brands stand out and perform better during the busy holiday season. Comment-enabled ads reveal real-time audience reactions, creator link-outs make it easier for viewers to move from discovery to purchase, and wider mobile web placement increases reach when shopping demand is highest.</p>



<p><strong>The big picture</strong>. As more people watch short-form video across screens, YouTube is positioning Shorts as the platform that blends creator authenticity with measurable performance – a pitch aimed squarely at holiday-focused advertisers.</p>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. Advertisers could benefit from YouTube’s more interactive, creator-friendly Shorts ads, which can help cut through the noise and turn attention into holiday sales.</p>



<p><strong>Google&#8217;s announcement.</strong> <a href="https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/advertising-experience-youtube-shorts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New updates to YouTube Shorts will help brands maximize their holiday budgets.</a></p>


YouTube is rolling out new ad features for Shorts to help brands stretch their holiday budgets and tap into the momentum of short-form video.
What’s new:
Comments on Shorts ads: Advertisers can now turn on comments for eligible Shorts ads, making the ad experience feel more organic and opening new paths for real-time audience engagement.
Creator links to brand sites: Shorts creators posting branded content can now link directly to a brand’s website, giving viewers a seamless path from discovery to action.
Shorts ads on mobile web: YouTube is extending Shorts ad placements to the mobile web, adding another way to reach viewers as they switch between devices – from TV to desktop to mobile apps.
Why we care. These updates make Shorts ads more interactive, natural, and actionable, which can help brands stand out and perform better during the busy holiday season. Comment-enabled ads reveal real-time audience reactions, creator link-outs make it easier for viewers to move from discovery to purchase, and wider mobile web placement increases reach when shopping demand is highest.
The big picture. As more people watch short-form video across screens, YouTube is positioning Shorts as the platform that blends creator authenticity with measurable performance – a pitch aimed squarely at holiday-focused advertisers.
What’s next. Advertisers could benefit from YouTube’s more interactive, creator-friendly Shorts ads, which can help cut through the noise and turn attention into holiday sales.
Google’s announcement. New updates to YouTube Shorts will help brands maximize their holiday budgets.

YouTube’s latest Shorts updates give advertisers more interactive, creator-driven tools to boost engagement and drive holiday conversions.

YouTube Shorts adds comments and creator links to ads

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Understand how to use Google Ads recommendations so you can spot what helps, ignore what doesn’t, and keep your account safe.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/week-37-landscape-cover-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe title="Google Ads Recommendations: The Truth, The Myths, The Warnings #googleads #thegooglepro" width="422" height="750" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TQoMja36CdM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Do you want to immediately raise the blood pressure of the Google Ads practitioner sitting next to you? Say one word: Recommendations.</p>



<p>If you’ve spent any time in the Google Ads platform, you’ve seen Recommendations jumping out at you on every screen: when you’re adding keywords, when you’re adjusting your campaign settings, when you’re changing your bid strategy, when you’re minding your own business! And we’ve all received that email from a client asking why their “Optimization Score” is falling.</p>



<p>In this article, I’ll explain what Recommendations actually are (and aren’t), where they come from, and how you should handle them. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-everyone-hate-google-ads-recommendations">Why does everyone hate Google Ads Recommendations?</h2>



<p>First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Why do so many Google Ads practitioners dislike recommendations?</p>



<p>In my opinion, it’s a misalignment of understanding and expectations. While Recommendations are personalized for your account, they are not necessarily personalized for your business context and goals.</p>



<p>The Recommendations algorithm looks at your account data (keywords, bids, targeting, etc.) and identifies patterns where it thinks it can improve performance based on its own logic. </p>



<p>For example, if the system sees you are only using Exact and Phrase match keywords, it will likely flag a recommendation to &#8220;Test Broad Match.&#8221; It does this simply because the feature is available and you aren&#8217;t using it. It’s logical from a platform capability standpoint, but it might be terrible for your specific budget or niche.</p>



<p>To understand why this happens, it helps to know the history. </p>



<p>Recommendations actually started as an internal sales tool for Google Ads sales representatives. It was designed to help reps spot opportunities to provide support (and upsells) to clients. However, there was that “human filter” element to ensure that reps were only pitching relevant opportunities. Now that Recommendations surface automatically in every account, that human filter is gone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-optimization-score-actually-matter-in-google-ads">Does Optimization Score actually matter in Google Ads?</h2>



<p>One of the biggest sources of anxiety for business owners in Google Ads is the <strong>Optimization Score</strong>. It’s that 0%-100% number sitting prominently on your dashboard – and the one Google loves to highlight in its automated emails.</p>



<p>Many people treat this score like a report card. If they see a 60%, they panic, thinking their campaign is failing. This can lead to users blindly clicking &#8220;Apply All&#8221; just to get that number back up to 100%.</p>



<p><strong>Do not do this.</strong></p>



<p>Here is the secret that doesn’t need to be a secret: The optimization score is <strong>not</strong> a measure of how well your account is performing; it is a measure of whether you are <strong>reviewing</strong> your recommendations.</p>



<p>Don’t take my word for it &#8211; see for yourself! You do not have to accept a recommendation to increase your score. Dismissing a recommendation gives you the <strong>exact same score uplift</strong> as applying it. You can literally dismiss every single recommendation in the list and, like magic, you’ll have a 100% optimization score.</p>



<p>No, optimization score doesn’t really matter. Keep it at 100% if it makes you feel good, or if you need to maintain Google Partner status. Otherwise, feel free to ignore it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-recommendation-vs-an-actual-performance-issue">What is a Recommendation vs. an actual performance issue?</h2>



<p>Recommendations aren&#8217;t just confined to the <em>Recommendations</em> tab. Google has integrated them throughout the entire ad platform. You’ll see them when you are setting up a new account, adding keywords, adjusting bid strategies, or even just viewing your campaign overview.</p>



<p>It can be startling to see a warning symbol on your account, or even in your email inbox, so here’s what you need to know to distinguish a “friendly” recommendation from an actual performance issue in your account:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Blue or Yellow Notifications:</strong> These are recommendations. They are the platform saying, &#8220;Hey, have you thought about trying this?&#8221; You can safely review these at your leisure and dismiss them if they don&#8217;t fit.</li>



<li><strong>Red or Purple Notifications:</strong> These are actual problems. If you see red, you potentially have a real issue, such as a billing failure or a disapproved ad.</li>
</ul>



<p>Don&#8217;t let the blue and yellow icons scare you into making hasty, unnecessary changes. If you like the recommendation, accept it. If not, dismiss it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-google-ads-recommendations-just-a-money-grab-by-google">Are Google Ads Recommendations just a money grab by Google?</h2>



<p>When Google Ads practitioners complain that recommendations are just designed to make you spend more money, my response is: Yes, obviously.</p>



<p>Google is a for-profit company. They want you to spend more on Google Ads. </p>



<p>However, Google is smart enough to know that if you spend more money and get zero results, you will <strong>stop</strong> spending money. They need you to succeed so that you keep spending.</p>



<p>Therefore, not all recommendations are about spending more money. I split them into two categories:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Reach and Spend:</strong> Suggestions like changing your budget or adding broad match keywords. These are designed to cast a wider net, which usually results in higher spend.</li>



<li><strong>ROI and Hygiene:</strong> Suggestions like fixing conversion tracking or adding a target to your bid strategy. These don&#8217;t necessarily increase ad spend, but they can potentially help you improve your return on investment.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-sure-you-keep-this-setting-off-in-your-account">Make sure you keep this setting off in your account!</h2>



<p>No discussion about recommendations is complete without mentioning Auto-Apply Recommendations. For many years, Google pushed “AAR” heavily, encouraging users to let the system automatically apply changes without review.</p>



<p>Thankfully, this push seems to have slowed down recently, but you still need to ensure you have control over your account. You do not want Google making changes to your budget, bids, or keywords while you sleep.</p>



<p>Here’s what you need to do right now:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Go to the <em>Recommendations</em> tab.</li>



<li>Make sure you are in the <em>All Campaigns</em> view.</li>



<li>Click on <em>Auto-Apply Settings</em>.</li>



<li>Ensure all boxes are unchecked.</li>
</ol>



<p>You want those boxes empty so that Google does not have permission to modify your account without your direct input.</p>



<p>All in all, recommendations aren&#8217;t &#8220;evil,&#8221; nor are they gospel truth. They are just a nudge. They are a starting point for testing. </p>



<p>Whether a recommendation comes from the Google Ads interface, an agency partner, or someone like me, the rule remains the same: You know your business best. Review the suggestion. If it aligns with your goals, test it. If it doesn&#8217;t, dismiss it and move on. </p>



<p><em>This article is part of our ongoing Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. In each edition, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read.</em></p>



<p></p>


Do you want to immediately raise the blood pressure of the Google Ads practitioner sitting next to you? Say one word: Recommendations.
If you’ve spent any time in the Google Ads platform, you’ve seen Recommendations jumping out at you on every screen: when you’re adding keywords, when you’re adjusting your campaign settings, when you’re changing your bid strategy, when you’re minding your own business! And we’ve all received that email from a client asking why their “Optimization Score” is falling.
In this article, I’ll explain what Recommendations actually are (and aren’t), where they come from, and how you should handle them. 
Why does everyone hate Google Ads Recommendations?
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Why do so many Google Ads practitioners dislike recommendations?
In my opinion, it’s a misalignment of understanding and expectations. While Recommendations are personalized for your account, they are not necessarily personalized for your business context and goals.
The Recommendations algorithm looks at your account data (keywords, bids, targeting, etc.) and identifies patterns where it thinks it can improve performance based on its own logic. 
For example, if the system sees you are only using Exact and Phrase match keywords, it will likely flag a recommendation to “Test Broad Match.” It does this simply because the feature is available and you aren’t using it. It’s logical from a platform capability standpoint, but it might be terrible for your specific budget or niche.
To understand why this happens, it helps to know the history. 
Recommendations actually started as an internal sales tool for Google Ads sales representatives. It was designed to help reps spot opportunities to provide support (and upsells) to clients. However, there was that “human filter” element to ensure that reps were only pitching relevant opportunities. Now that Recommendations surface automatically in every account, that human filter is gone.
Does Optimization Score actually matter in Google Ads?
One of the biggest sources of anxiety for business owners in Google Ads is the Optimization Score. It’s that 0%-100% number sitting prominently on your dashboard – and the one Google loves to highlight in its automated emails.
Many people treat this score like a report card. If they see a 60%, they panic, thinking their campaign is failing. This can lead to users blindly clicking “Apply All” just to get that number back up to 100%.
Do not do this.
Here is the secret that doesn’t need to be a secret: The optimization score is not a measure of how well your account is performing; it is a measure of whether you are reviewing your recommendations.
Don’t take my word for it – see for yourself! You do not have to accept a recommendation to increase your score. Dismissing a recommendation gives you the exact same score uplift as applying it. You can literally dismiss every single recommendation in the list and, like magic, you’ll have a 100% optimization score.
No, optimization score doesn’t really matter. Keep it at 100% if it makes you feel good, or if you need to maintain Google Partner status. Otherwise, feel free to ignore it.
What is a Recommendation vs. an actual performance issue?
Recommendations aren’t just confined to the Recommendations tab. Google has integrated them throughout the entire ad platform. You’ll see them when you are setting up a new account, adding keywords, adjusting bid strategies, or even just viewing your campaign overview.
It can be startling to see a warning symbol on your account, or even in your email inbox, so here’s what you need to know to distinguish a “friendly” recommendation from an actual performance issue in your account:
Blue or Yellow Notifications: These are recommendations. They are the platform saying, “Hey, have you thought about trying this?” You can safely review these at your leisure and dismiss them if they don’t fit.
Red or Purple Notifications: These are actual problems. If you see red, you potentially have a real issue, such as a billing failure or a disapproved ad.
Don’t let the blue and yellow icons scare you into making hasty, unnecessary changes. If you like the recommendation, accept it. If not, dismiss it.
Are Google Ads Recommendations just a money grab by Google?
When Google Ads practitioners complain that recommendations are just designed to make you spend more money, my response is: Yes, obviously.
Google is a for-profit company. They want you to spend more on Google Ads. 
However, Google is smart enough to know that if you spend more money and get zero results, you will stop spending money. They need you to succeed so that you keep spending.
Therefore, not all recommendations are about spending more money. I split them into two categories:
Reach and Spend: Suggestions like changing your budget or adding broad match keywords. These are designed to cast a wider net, which usually results in higher spend.
ROI and Hygiene: Suggestions like fixing conversion tracking or adding a target to your bid strategy. These don’t necessarily increase ad spend, but they can potentially help you improve your return on investment.
Make sure you keep this setting off in your account!
No discussion about recommendations is complete without mentioning Auto-Apply Recommendations. For many years, Google pushed “AAR” heavily, encouraging users to let the system automatically apply changes without review.
Thankfully, this push seems to have slowed down recently, but you still need to ensure you have control over your account. You do not want Google making changes to your budget, bids, or keywords while you sleep.
Here’s what you need to do right now:
Go to the Recommendations tab.
Make sure you are in the All Campaigns view.
Click on Auto-Apply Settings.
Ensure all boxes are unchecked.
You want those boxes empty so that Google does not have permission to modify your account without your direct input.
All in all, recommendations aren’t “evil,” nor are they gospel truth. They are just a nudge. They are a starting point for testing. 
Whether a recommendation comes from the Google Ads interface, an agency partner, or someone like me, the rule remains the same: You know your business best. Review the suggestion. If it aligns with your goals, test it. If it doesn’t, dismiss it and move on. 
This article is part of our ongoing Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. In each edition, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read.

Understand how to use Google Ads recommendations so you can spot what helps, ignore what doesn’t, and keep your account safe.

The truth about Google Ads recommendations (and auto-apply)

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="How Pinterest’s ad formats work and when to use each one" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Get a clear breakdown of Pinterest’s ad lineup, what each format delivers, and how to align them with specific campaign goals in 2026.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="How Pinterest’s ad formats work and when to use each one" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/How-Pinterests-ad-formats-work-and-when-to-use-each-one-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p><a href="https://searchengineland.com/pinterest-seo-your-guide-to-brand-discovery-452920">Pinterest</a> attracts users who want inspiration and solutions, not passive browsing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The platform now reaches <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/463353/pinterest-global-mau/?srsltid=AfmBOoopSDRy7l2hB6LR9xdRJ0VyhSgTI51ihB6amXGIabxEOR-NFUR9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">600 million monthly active users</a>, many of whom arrive with clear intent to research, plan, or purchase.&nbsp;</p>



<p>That makes its ad formats especially valuable for marketers who want to appear in moments when people are actively looking for ideas and products.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Here’s how each format works and when to consider it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ad-formats-explained">Ad formats explained</h2>



<p>Pinterest Ads offers a variety of ad formats, many of which aren’t available on other social media platforms.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at what formats they offer and when you might want to consider using them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carousel-ads">Carousel ads</h3>



<p>Carousel ads are an interactive format that showcase two to five cards (images), where users can swipe through the cards, tap a card to open a close-up view, or click through to a destination URL.</p>



<p>This format is a great way for advertisers to showcase multiple messages or products and encourage users to engage with the ad via the swipe capabilities.</p>



<p><strong>Example: </strong>A wedding planner could use multiple cards to share statistics on the U.K. wedding market and rising costs of the average wedding, with the final card promoting an ebook on how to reduce costs, which is available to download for free on their website.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collection-ads">Collection ads</h3>



<p>Similar to carousel ads, collection ads allow advertisers to show multiple products in one ad.</p>



<p>The ad starts with a “hero” creative (either an image, a video, or a slideshow), which sits above three smaller images.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When the user clicks on the ad and opens close-up mode, they are presented with up to 24 additional images or products.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1600" height="868" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Collection-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy.png" alt="" class="wp-image-465892" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Collection-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy.png 1600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Collection-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy-768x417.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Collection-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy-1536x833.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em><em>Above: An example of a Collection ad from </em><a href="https://www.pinterestacademy.com/uploads/resource_courses/targets/4779915/original/scormcontent/assets/YCMyk0D3xU6VpqoA_yuLX1c-t4BF9TZcL-Ad-placement-collections-ad-explainer-2_NOPROCESS__ENUK.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Pinterest Academy</em></a></em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>This format can be used by advertisers who want to showcase multiple products, such as a specific collection or a product catalog.</p>



<p><strong>Example</strong>: A jewelry store could use a looping video of a woman putting on a gold set of jewelry, with the three smaller images showing product images of each item.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Once the user clicks on the ad, they are presented with the full range of gold jewelry sold by the business.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-idea-ads">Idea ads</h3>



<p>Idea ads are made from a single full-screen image or video and appear on the homepage, in searches, and alongside related pins.</p>



<p>This is an ideal format for advertisers who want their ads to have a more native feel while still being shoppable or facilitating site visits.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-css-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-standard-ads">Standard ads</h3>



<p>This is the most basic ad offering on Pinterest, with the ad made from a single static image.</p>



<p>Standard ads are a great option for advertisers looking for a simple format, can offer a visually compelling image, and want to take users directly to their site.</p>



<p><strong>Example</strong>: A CrossFit gym could use a photo from a recent shoot of one of its classes in action, with clear, bold text stating “Join us,” the logo in the top right corner, and a call to action to “Book your free class.”&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-video-ads">Video ads</h3>



<p>There are two types of video ads available on Pinterest: standard and max-width.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Standard video ads are the same size as a standard pin and consist of a single video.</li>



<li>Max-width video ads expand across both column feeds when viewed through the Pinterest app, making them twice the size of standard video ads.</li>
</ul>



<p>Due to their autoplay nature, these formats are ideal for grabbing users’ attention and for advertisers who are able to tell a story with video content.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shopping-ads-nbsp">Shopping ads&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Shopping ads use a single, static product image, but unlike standard ads, they also show product details including price.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1538" height="1508" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Shopping-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy.png" alt="An example of a Shopping ad from Pinterest Academy" class="wp-image-465895" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Shopping-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy.png 1538w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Shopping-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy-768x753.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/12/An-example-of-a-Shopping-ad-from-Pinterest-Academy-1536x1506.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1538px) 100vw, 1538px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An example of a Shopping ad from Pinterest Academy</em></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>This format is ideal for ecommerce brands looking to showcase products through a shoppable format and those with a dependable product feed.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quiz-ads">Quiz ads</h3>



<p>Quiz ads enable advertisers to build a quiz with two to three questions and, depending on the answers given, show users two to three results.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results consist of a visual asset, a headline, and a description, from which the user can click through to a website to continue their journey.</p>



<p>This is another interactive format, ideal for advertisers looking to offer users a more customized experience.</p>



<p><strong>Example</strong>: A beauty brand could use the quiz format to guide users to the product page for the right range for their skincare needs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This helps address users’ wants and needs and provides a more personal experience than sending them to the website homepage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-inventory-ads">Local inventory ads</h3>



<p>Local inventory ads help advertisers promote their products alongside real-time pricing for in-stock items.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They require advertisers to set up store locations and local product information via a store feed and a local inventory supplemental feed.</p>



<p>This format works well for advertisers looking to drive store visits and promote their convenience to local platform users.</p>



<p><strong><em>Dig deeper: <a href="https://searchengineland.com/cross-platform-ad-creative-meta-tiktok-pinterest-461721">Cross-platform, not copy-paste: Smarter Meta, TikTok, and Pinterest ad creative</a></em></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ad-formats-in-beta">Ad formats in beta</h2>



<p>Pinterest ads regularly offers new ad formats, with the following two currently in beta</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-top-of-search-ads">Top of Search ads</h3>



<p>In September 2025, Pinterest <a href="https://searchengineland.com/pinterest-top-of-search-ads-test-462704">began testing Top of Search ads</a>, which appear within the first 10 slots of search results and related pins.</p>



<p>Top of Search ads have a 29% higher average CTR than other campaigns, according to <a href="https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-ca/news/pinterest-introduces-top-of-search-ads-and-new-advertising-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pinterest&#8217;s test data</a>. This is a promising format for advertisers looking to quickly and effectively capture the attention of high-intent users.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lead-ads">Lead ads</h3>



<p><a href="https://help.pinterest.com/en-gb/business/article/lead-ads" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lead ads</a> are designed to help advertisers reach prospects on Pinterest by enabling them to collect information through a lead form, making them an ideal format for lead generation.</p>



<p>Advertisers can choose what text appears in the descriptions, questions, and confirmation card, giving them control over the information they want to collect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-case-for-investing-in-pinterest-ads-in-2026">The case for investing in Pinterest ads in 2026</h2>



<p>Pinterest Ads offers a mix of visual and interactive formats that help brands stand out in front of a high-intent audience. </p>



<p>As the platform expands its ad lineup, marketers gain additional ways to support research, inspiration, and purchase journeys with creative built for how people use Pinterest. </p>



<p>With more formats in development and a growing user base, 2026 presents a clear opportunity for advertisers to build or deepen their investment in the channel.</p>

Pinterest attracts users who want inspiration and solutions, not passive browsing. 
The platform now reaches 600 million monthly active users, many of whom arrive with clear intent to research, plan, or purchase. 
That makes its ad formats especially valuable for marketers who want to appear in moments when people are actively looking for ideas and products. 
Here’s how each format works and when to consider it.
Ad formats explained
Pinterest Ads offers a variety of ad formats, many of which aren’t available on other social media platforms.
Let’s take a look at what formats they offer and when you might want to consider using them.
Carousel ads
Carousel ads are an interactive format that showcase two to five cards (images), where users can swipe through the cards, tap a card to open a close-up view, or click through to a destination URL.
This format is a great way for advertisers to showcase multiple messages or products and encourage users to engage with the ad via the swipe capabilities.
Example: A wedding planner could use multiple cards to share statistics on the U.K. wedding market and rising costs of the average wedding, with the final card promoting an ebook on how to reduce costs, which is available to download for free on their website.
Collection ads
Similar to carousel ads, collection ads allow advertisers to show multiple products in one ad.
The ad starts with a “hero” creative (either an image, a video, or a slideshow), which sits above three smaller images. 
When the user clicks on the ad and opens close-up mode, they are presented with up to 24 additional images or products.
Above: An example of a Collection ad from Pinterest Academy
This format can be used by advertisers who want to showcase multiple products, such as a specific collection or a product catalog.
Example: A jewelry store could use a looping video of a woman putting on a gold set of jewelry, with the three smaller images showing product images of each item. 
Once the user clicks on the ad, they are presented with the full range of gold jewelry sold by the business.
Idea ads
Idea ads are made from a single full-screen image or video and appear on the homepage, in searches, and alongside related pins.
This is an ideal format for advertisers who want their ads to have a more native feel while still being shoppable or facilitating site visits.   
Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.
  
				
								
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See terms.
Standard ads
This is the most basic ad offering on Pinterest, with the ad made from a single static image.
Standard ads are a great option for advertisers looking for a simple format, can offer a visually compelling image, and want to take users directly to their site.
Example: A CrossFit gym could use a photo from a recent shoot of one of its classes in action, with clear, bold text stating “Join us,” the logo in the top right corner, and a call to action to “Book your free class.” 
Video ads
There are two types of video ads available on Pinterest: standard and max-width.
Standard video ads are the same size as a standard pin and consist of a single video.
Max-width video ads expand across both column feeds when viewed through the Pinterest app, making them twice the size of standard video ads.
Due to their autoplay nature, these formats are ideal for grabbing users’ attention and for advertisers who are able to tell a story with video content. 
Shopping ads 
Shopping ads use a single, static product image, but unlike standard ads, they also show product details including price.
An example of a Shopping ad from Pinterest Academy
This format is ideal for ecommerce brands looking to showcase products through a shoppable format and those with a dependable product feed.
Quiz ads
Quiz ads enable advertisers to build a quiz with two to three questions and, depending on the answers given, show users two to three results. 
The results consist of a visual asset, a headline, and a description, from which the user can click through to a website to continue their journey.
This is another interactive format, ideal for advertisers looking to offer users a more customized experience.
Example: A beauty brand could use the quiz format to guide users to the product page for the right range for their skincare needs. 
This helps address users’ wants and needs and provides a more personal experience than sending them to the website homepage.
Local inventory ads
Local inventory ads help advertisers promote their products alongside real-time pricing for in-stock items. 
They require advertisers to set up store locations and local product information via a store feed and a local inventory supplemental feed.
This format works well for advertisers looking to drive store visits and promote their convenience to local platform users.
Dig deeper: Cross-platform, not copy-paste: Smarter Meta, TikTok, and Pinterest ad creative
Ad formats in beta
Pinterest ads regularly offers new ad formats, with the following two currently in beta
Top of Search ads
In September 2025, Pinterest began testing Top of Search ads, which appear within the first 10 slots of search results and related pins.
Top of Search ads have a 29% higher average CTR than other campaigns, according to Pinterest’s test data. This is a promising format for advertisers looking to quickly and effectively capture the attention of high-intent users.
Lead ads
Lead ads are designed to help advertisers reach prospects on Pinterest by enabling them to collect information through a lead form, making them an ideal format for lead generation.
Advertisers can choose what text appears in the descriptions, questions, and confirmation card, giving them control over the information they want to collect.
The case for investing in Pinterest ads in 2026
Pinterest Ads offers a mix of visual and interactive formats that help brands stand out in front of a high-intent audience. 
As the platform expands its ad lineup, marketers gain additional ways to support research, inspiration, and purchase journeys with creative built for how people use Pinterest. 
With more formats in development and a growing user base, 2026 presents a clear opportunity for advertisers to build or deepen their investment in the channel.

Get a clear breakdown of Pinterest’s ad lineup, what each format delivers, and how to align them with specific campaign goals in 2026.

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