Short answer: Ads in Google’s AI Mode are growing fast. In mid October 2026 Google started testing ads for AI Mode users who have turned on Personal Intelligence, began showing promotions on Shopping ads in AI Mode, and expanded AI Mode and AI Overviews ads to certain pharmaceutical products in the US. There is no separate AI Mode campaign. Your existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns are what make you eligible, so the work is in your keywords, feed, landing pages and tracking.
AI Mode is Google’s conversational search experience. People ask longer questions and get a written answer, with sponsored results shown where they are relevant. Here is what changed this month and what to do about it.
What changed in October 2026
| Update | What it means |
|---|---|
| Ads for Personal Intelligence users (test) | Users who connect Google apps can see ads informed by insights from those apps |
| Promotions in Shopping ads | Approved Merchant Center offers can show as tappable deals in AI Mode |
| Pharmaceutical ads (US test) | Certain drug products can appear in sponsored sections of AI Mode and AI Overviews |
Ads for Personal Intelligence users
Personal Intelligence lets AI Mode users connect Google apps so answers can be more personal. Google is now testing ads for people who have turned this on. According to Google:
- Users must opt in and can disconnect apps at any time.
- Ads are not based directly on the content of Gmail or Google Photos.
- Advertisers cannot access users’ connected apps.
- Sensitive information is not used to personalise ads.
Importantly, there are no new targeting options for advertisers. You cannot choose to reach Personal Intelligence users. Google decides when your ad is relevant, based on the question, the AI answer and the user’s interests. That means your existing campaigns, keywords and assets are what count.
Promotions in Shopping ads
Shopping ads in AI Mode can now show offers such as money off or buy more save more, which shoppers can tap to see before visiting your site. You need approved Merchant Center promotions to qualify. I cover the setup and the Black Friday deadlines in Merchant Center updates for October 2026.
Pharmaceutical ads
Google told the press it has expanded AI Mode and AI Overviews ads to include certain pharmaceutical products. This is a US test using normal text and Shopping ads, and Google said its healthcare ad policies have not changed. If you work in health, all the usual certifications and rules still apply.
How AI Mode ads work for advertisers
- No separate campaign type. Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns can serve in AI Mode when eligible.
- Broad match and AI Max help. AI Mode questions are long and conversational, so exact keyword lists alone rarely match them. Broad match with good negatives, or AI Max for Search, widens your reach into these queries.
- Your landing page matters more. Google reads your page to decide relevance, so clear service and product pages win.
- Ads are labelled Sponsored and sit next to or inside the answer area.
How to get ready
- Test broad match or AI Max on a campaign with strong conversion tracking, using an experiment.
- Clean up your Merchant Center feed. Clear titles, accurate prices and approved promotions. My Shopping feed guide explains how.
- Write landing pages that answer questions. Short answers, prices or price ranges, FAQs and clear next steps. This also helps you appear in the organic AI answer, which I explain in SEO vs AEO vs GEO.
- Strengthen your data. Enhanced conversions and first party data help Google match your ads to the right people. See my Data Strength guide.
- Watch your search terms. Long AI style questions will start appearing. Add negatives for the irrelevant ones.
Should you worry about losing organic clicks?
AI answers can reduce clicks to normal organic results, especially for simple questions. That makes two things more valuable: being cited in the AI answer through good content, and having ads eligible to show when the question is commercial. The businesses that do both cover more of the page than either alone.
Frequently asked questions
What are Google AI Mode ads?
Is there a separate AI Mode campaign in Google Ads?
Can I target Personal Intelligence users?
How do I show promotions in AI Mode Shopping ads?
Can pharmaceutical products advertise in AI Mode?
Who can get my Google Ads ready for AI Mode?
Want to show up in AI Mode?
I can review your campaigns, feed and landing pages for AI Mode and AI search. See my Google Ads management service, or request a free ads audit.