Author name: PPCJuice

Google’s AI-powered ad shift in 2025 reshapes PPC strategy

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Industry Insights

This year, in 2025, Google made a major change by placing Shopping ads directly into AI Overviews at the top of search results. These ads now show up when people search for products with buying intent. The update, now live on desktop in the U.S., is expected to roll out globally soon. This gives advertisers a new chance to get seen, but also means more competition for top placements. It’s a clear signal that Google is moving away from old-school keyword-based ads. Conversational search creates new ad opportunities Another big update is AI Mode, a new feature that lets people ask multi-step questions and follow-ups. While still in testing, it shows ads pulled from Shopping and Performance Max campaigns. This helps brands reach people who are still exploring options, not just ready to buy. If you’re a Google Ads expert for hire or looking to hire a PPC consultant, this opens the door to more targeted mid-funnel ad strategies. Google’s new creative tools save time and money To help advertisers keep up with demand, Google added AI tools that create product videos and lifestyle images. These features, now part of Merchant Center, allow brands to quickly produce high-quality visuals without needing a full creative team. There are controls in place to protect branding, but companies should still review AI-generated content for accuracy and tone. Performance Max and AI Max lead full-funnel strategy Google now encourages advertisers to use a combination of campaigns, Performance Max, AI Max, and Demand Gen. Together, this “Power Pair” strategy covers every step of the customer journey. AI helps find audiences, automate bidding, and loosen ROAS limits to boost conversions. Still, transparency remains an issue, especially for businesses managing multiple campaigns without full control over placements. Automation helps, but human oversight matters While AI tools offer speed and scale, marketers still need to stay sharp. Tracking conversions, impression share, and click-through rates is more important than ever. Tools like virtual try-on and AI checkout improve user experience, but manual reviews and a strong strategy will separate average results from great ones. Whether you’re a Google Ads freelancer or part of a PPC agency, staying hands-on is still key to successful Google Ads management.

Google AdX faces scrutiny amid surge in illegal gambling ads

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Policy Updates

For all the promises of AI-driven ad systems and automated compliance, illegal betting ads still slip through the cracks—particularly on Google’s advertising exchange, AdX. Despite government clampdowns, unauthorized gambling platforms are thriving in plain sight, reaching users via polished, paid promotions. The algorithm can’t police it all In recent months, ads for offshore gambling sites like Parimatch, 1xBet, and Lotus365 have become increasingly visible across digital spaces. These platforms are under the scanner for financial crimes, yet their ads continue to surface through Google AdX. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued repeated warnings, urging platforms to stop facilitating these promotions. In states like Telangana, local police are filing FIRs not just against the operators, but also against celebrities endorsing these apps. So why are these ads still live? Much of it comes down to automation. Google Ads online gambling campaigns often run via real-time bidding, where ads are placed in milliseconds with minimal human oversight. In theory, policies exist to prevent illegal content—but in practice, enforcement often lags behind the speed of the system. Website owners who rely on programmatic ads rarely have the tools or resources to manually block unlawful betting PPC campaigns. A regulatory game of catch-up The scale of the issue goes beyond a few rogue actors. The real problem lies in the system’s design. Google AdX and other exchanges operate globally, often without enough regional customization to honor specific laws. As a result, illegal gambling ads continue to reach millions, undermining Indian regulatory efforts and public trust. Authorities are now calling for tighter controls and accountability from tech giants. According to a recent analysis, the current ad ecosystem leaves too much room for misuse. Unless algorithms are refined and regional filters strengthened, online gambling ads will continue to slip past gatekeepers—posing risks to consumers and legal order alike. It’s not just a tech issue anymore. It’s a public interest one.

Meta updates Advantage+ to boost ad results for small businesses

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Industry Insights

The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is a yearly event held in Cannes, France. It brings together people who work in advertising, marketing, and creative fields. First started in 1954, the festival gives awards to the best work in advertising and branding. Recently, Meta introduced major updates to its Advantage+ advertising platform. The changes are built to help brands, especially small businesses, improve their online ads on Facebook and Instagram. The new features allow advertisers to turn still images into short videos, create branded highlights, and keep a consistent look across all ads. This makes it easier to build professional campaigns without needing large budgets or teams. Stronger call-to-action options and virtual try-on Meta also launched Creative Stickers, custom visual buttons that guide users to take action, such as buying or signing up. Another new feature, Virtual Try-On, lets users see how clothes might look on different types of models. This helps shoppers make better choices and gives brands a way to increase confidence before a purchase. For small brands offering PPC services for B2B or products, these tools may help ads stand out and connect more with buyers. Reported gains in ad performance Advertisers using the updated platform say they’ve seen a 22% increase in return on ad spend. Meta’s data shows that changes made to the backend have helped improve conversion rates by up to 5%. These improvements are especially useful for companies looking for the best ROI PPC agency or for those who manage ads for multiple clients. Better results from less effort make Advantage+ more appealing to agencies and in-house teams alike. Voice interaction features for better engagement Another update includes Business Voice, which lets ads respond to voice commands. This is aimed at making ad experiences smoother and more natural. It also opens new ways for businesses to connect with customers without needing extra staff. A bigger push into small business advertising Meta’s updates are part of a larger effort to support smaller advertisers. The company wants to make it easier for them to create better campaigns, measure results, and grow through tools like Advantage+. With many small businesses depending on digital ads for lead generation with Google Ads, these updates offer a more affordable and faster way to compete with bigger brands.

Performance Max campaigns: Proven strategies to improve results in 2025

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Industry Insights

Performance Max campaigns let businesses show ads across Google’s entire network with just one campaign. That includes Search, YouTube, Gmail, Discover, Maps, and Display. While the platform handles most of the work, the results still depend on how well you set things up. Here’s how to make sure your Performance Max campaigns do what they’re supposed to, drive results and avoid wasted spend. Set clear goals and track the right conversions Start by knowing what you want your campaign to do. Whether it’s online sales, phone calls, or lead forms, pick one main goal and set up proper conversion tracking. Don’t guess. Make sure your Google Ads account is set to track real actions that matter to your business. If you’re working with a Google Ads consultant, this is one of the first things they’ll help you get right. Improve your product and audience data The system runs better when you give it better data. For eCommerce businesses, upload clean product titles, real images, and helpful descriptions to your Merchant Centre. Add audience signals like past buyers or website visitors. This helps Google show your ads to people more likely to take action. A Google Ads management service can help you build and organise these lists properly. Make your ads look and sound right Use pictures and words that speak to your audience. Match your ad images to the product or service you’re offering. If you’re promoting more than one type of product, create different asset groups. Test different headlines, videos, and calls to action to see which ones perform better. Watch your results and make changes when needed Even with automation, you should check how your campaign is doing. Look at which ads and placements are driving sales or leads. Pause anything that’s not working and shift more budget to what is. A certified Google Ads expert or Google Ads specialist can dig into these reports and suggest smart changes. Your Performance Max campaign should work together with your search and display campaigns. Don’t let it run in a silo. Use similar landing pages, consistent messaging, and shared goals across all your ads for better results.

AI-created NBA Ad stuns viewers after going viral despite low budget

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Industry Insights

A bizarre, fast-cut commercial that aired during the NBA Finals is sparking serious conversations in the advertising world, not just for its strange visuals, but for how it was made. Created entirely with AI in just three days for $2,000, the ad promoted prediction platform Kalshi and marked one of the first times a national TV spot was produced almost entirely by generative technology. How AI cuts costs Filmmaker PJ Accetturo used Google’s Veo 3, a new text-to-video generator, to create the footage. From a man in a pink crop top shouting basketball predictions to a farmer floating in a pool of eggs, the ad leaned into chaotic imagery to reflect Kalshi’s theme: betting on an unpredictable world. Instead of hiring a full production crew, Accetturo worked alone using a script co-written with Gemini and ChatGPT, then ran 300–400 prompt generations to land on 15 usable clips. Kalshi said it originally considered traditional production but found quotes in the six- to seven-figure range. That’s where AI made the difference—not just in cost, but in speed. The 8-second scene limits of Veo 3 encouraged a montage format, keeping the ad high-energy and on-theme. While the process saved time and money, Accetturo emphasized that effective AI output still depends on skilled creative choices. AI and advertising This experiment highlights a turning point for digital marketing. With tools like Veo 3 becoming more accessible, PPC agency and in-house teams offering Google Ads management are likely to adopt AI workflows to meet demand for faster, cheaper, and more engaging ad content. The future of advertising is shifting toward agile, small teams able to produce viral campaigns quickly. But even as AI streamlines production, taste, originality, and humor will remain the defining edge in making ads people want to watch.

New Brazil law targets online gambling and unlicensed ads with raised taxes

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Policy Updates

Brazil has introduced tougher laws to fight illegal gambling. A new amendment to Law No. 14,790 now defines the promotion of unlicensed gambling, including through digital ads, as a serious offence. This includes ads on Google, social media, websites, and video platforms. The update is a direct response to the rise of unauthorised online betting, which has become a growing concern for regulators. Tech companies must cooperate with authorities Internet service providers, social media platforms, and ad networks are now required to set up official contact channels with Brazil’s federal agencies. This will allow faster communication between tech platforms and government regulators when illegal betting content needs to be flagged or removed. These platforms, including those that run Google Ads online gambling campaigns, must respond quickly to takedown requests or face penalties. New taxes worry legal operators The government also raised taxes on legal betting companies, including those running casino PPC and gambling PPC campaigns. The industry argues that these sudden changes come too soon after betting was first legalised and regulated. The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) says operators have already spent over R$2.3 billion on license fees and compliance. With these new tax rates, legal operators fear they may lose ground to unregulated sites that don’t pay taxes or follow the rules. Industry fights back against new rules The IBJR has announced plans to challenge the tax hikes in court. They believe that instead of taxing regulated platforms more heavily, the government should focus on shutting down illegal websites. There is concern that overregulation will drive users back to unlicensed platforms, harming the legal market and reducing future tax revenue. Funds to support public services Despite criticism, the government plans to use the extra tax income to fund health programs and campaigns against illegal gambling. Still, analysts warn that overburdening legal companies could do more harm than good, with an estimated R$2 billion in revenue lost annually to illegal betting platforms. The debate continues as both sides push for long-term solutions.

Advertisers turn to smarter YouTube strategies as Google Ads evolves

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Industry Insights

Google Ads is introducing new features aimed at helping advertisers get more value from their video budgets. With updates to both video reach and video views campaigns, brands now have smarter tools to maximize visibility across YouTube formats like Shorts, in-feed videos, bumper ads, and skippable in-stream placements. For businesses looking to boost awareness, the platform now offers three strategic options: efficient reach, non-skippable reach, and target frequency. Efficient reach uses bumper and skippable ads to reach the widest audience at the lowest cost. Smarter video views strategy Non-skippable formats guarantee that viewers see the full message, while target frequency ensures repeated exposure to the same audience over time. All options are designed to work seamlessly within a single campaign setup, saving time and budget. Another major update centers on video views campaigns. These will now rely exclusively on multi-format video ads and a target cost-per-view (CPV) bidding strategy. Advertisers simply set their average CPV, and Google’s AI does the rest—optimizing placement and format to get the most views possible. This streamlined system can result in up to 40% more views for the same budget. Optimizing for mobile delivery To help ads perform better on mobile, Google Ads now uses AI to automatically generate vertical versions of horizontal videos, tailoring content for Shorts and other mobile-first placements. This feature is on by default but can be switched off. With these changes, advertisers are encouraged to use both horizontal and vertical videos in multiple aspect ratios and resolutions to cover all available inventory. For brands aiming to scale video impact or marketers looking for expert help, hiring a Google Ads expert for hire or tapping into Google Ads management services could make all the difference in campaign performance and ROI.

PPC benchmark report reveals key Google Ads insights for 2025

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Industry Insights

As digital competition intensifies, businesses running Google Ads in 2025 are focusing more than ever on performance metrics that directly impact campaign success. A benchmark report released not long ago by WordStream by LocaliQ highlights trends across major industries, offering valuable guidance for anyone serious about lead generation with Google Ads. Click-through rates (CTR) have risen significantly, averaging 6.66% across industries, compared to just 1.35% in 2015. The Arts & Entertainment sector leads with a 13.10% CTR, while Dental Services sees the lowest at 5.44%. While a high CTR shows strong ad appeal, it doesn’t always mean conversions, making it just one part of a bigger picture. Ad costs and conversions Cost per click (CPC) averaged $5.26. Legal services topped the list with an $8.58 CPC, while Arts & Entertainment saw the lowest at $1.60. A high CPC may be justified if it brings in quality leads, but businesses must still monitor spend closely to maintain profitability. Conversion rates (CVR) averaged 7.52%. Automotive campaigns stood out with a 14.67% CVR, while Finance and Furniture sectors lagged behind. Low conversion rates can often be improved with better landing pages, simplified user flows, and more relevant targeting. Lead costs and strategy Cost per lead (CPL) came in at an average of $70.11, peaking in the legal sector at $131.63 and dropping to around $28.50 in automotive services. Although CPL varies, the return on investment can still be worthwhile when targeting the right audience. $113k day on Google this is a realistic representation of Google and Youtube Ads at scale on Google if you're a non-influencer ecom brand you're not going to see a 10x return at scale or these ridiculous numbers that some gurus show you we're seeing a 2-3x ROAS on most days… pic.twitter.com/APOAiXYTP7 — Nate.Google (@Nate_Google_) June 10, 2025 For brands aiming to maximize impact, choosing the best ROI PPC agency can make all the difference. Success in 2025 hinges on aligning campaigns with the buyer journey, improving mobile and offline tracking, and constantly refining strategy. Benchmarks serve as reference points, but real results depend on tailored, ongoing optimization.

Google unleashes AI Max: Global search campaigns transform Q3

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Industry Insights

In a major shift for digital marketers worldwide, Google has announced that its latest innovation—AI Max for Search campaigns—will roll out globally in the third quarter of 2025. This move marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Google Ads campaign management, bringing intelligent automation to the forefront. Smarter search campaigns with AI Max Introduced at Google Marketing Live 2025, AI Max is built to streamline the entire process of running Search campaigns. From campaign creation to targeting and bidding, the tool automates complex tasks that once demanded constant attention. For businesses using a Google Ads management service, this translates to faster setups, smarter optimization, and better returns. AI Max works by leveraging real-time signals and Google’s advanced AI infrastructure. It identifies intent, adapts to shifting user behavior, and continuously improves ad performance. The result? Campaigns that evolve dynamically without needing manual adjustments. Marketers can now focus more on strategy and creativity, letting AI handle the heavy lifting. The move aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to simplify and enhance advertising workflows, much like what was achieved with Performance Max. What this means for advertisers globally For brands and agencies managing multiple accounts, AI Max represents a new chapter in the Google Ads management service. It reduces the guesswork by eliminating tedious manual configurations while offering advanced creative testing and performance insights. This not only saves time but also elevates the quality of campaigns at scale. A leading figure in search marketing described the launch as a “game-changer” for marketers. This new feature is expected to significantly disrupt traditional search advertising models. With the Q3 launch on the horizon, businesses are urged to test beta versions and prepare for integration. This isn’t just another update—it represents a major shift in the digital landscape and signals the future of search marketing. Preparation now will ensure a competitive edge.