Week of Mar 9, 2026
9 changes logged the week of Mar 9, 2026; 2 took effect. Open this week in the change history.
Google Ads
- Google began auto-enabling AI voice-overs on Performance Max videos without audio (opt-out by Mar 20)
Advertisers received notices that PMax videos lacking an audio track would get AI narration generated from headlines and descriptions unless they opted out by March 20. Arpan Banerjee and Anu Adegbola reported the change. Source
- Financial services verification required for advertisers targeting Malaysia
From April 14, 2026, advertisers promoting banking, credit cards, loans, investments, brokerages, bonds/commodities/futures trading or insurance in Malaysia must verify through partner G2 and apply to Google as first-party or authorized advertisers. Source
- AI voice-over enhancement added to Performance Max video ads; opt-out deadline March 20
Google began layering AI-generated voice-over (built from ad headlines and descriptions) onto silent video assets in Performance Max. From March 20, 2026 every campaign with video enhancements enabled became eligible; advertisers who wanted to avoid it had to turn off video enhancement control. Source
- A large AI Max promotional card began appearing in the Recommendations tab
Hana Kobzova noticed an oversized recommendation card pushing advertisers to activate AI Max text customization and final URL expansion directly from the Recommendations page. Source
- Demand Gen 'Asset optimization' panel was redesigned into simple toggles for AI creative controls
The panel now groups auto-generated shorter videos, automatic video resizing and landing page image pulls into single toggles. Reported by Anu Adegbola and PPC News Feed. Source
Merchant Center
- Merchant Center for Agencies became generally available in the US and Canada
Google made Merchant Center for Agencies, a dedicated command center for managing an entire client portfolio, generally available to agencies in the United States and Canada, with a global pilot continuing elsewhere. Source
- Recurring billing policy expanded to certified US online pharmacies for prescription drugs
From March 31, 2026, certified US online pharmacies may promote prescription drug subscriptions, bundled prescription-plus-service offers and prescription consultation services in Shopping, subject to feed and fee-transparency requirements. Source
- Physical goods subscriptions policy extended to alcohol (e.g., wine clubs) in the US
From March 31, 2026, qualifying US sellers may offer alcohol subscriptions such as wine clubs in Shopping, provided they comply with alcohol policies, use the correct category and include subscription cost data. Source
Search Console
- Branded queries filter rolled out to all eligible top-level properties
Google said the branded queries filter announced in November 2025 is now rolling out to all eligible sites over the coming weeks; it is limited to top-level properties, not URL-prefix paths or subdomains. Source
Took effect this week
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