Did you know that with the rise of agentic commerce and AI tools in Google Ads, retailers and advertisers are now able to present exclusive Direct Offers directly in AI Mode, helping connect with high-intent shoppers ready to buy and boosting conversion potential in real time?
Key Areas We Will Cover
- The rise of agentic AI and its impact on Google marketing
- Performance Max updates for better control and transparency
- AI Max features enhancing Search campaigns
- Demand Gen for visual discovery and awareness building
- New tools like Direct Offers and campaign total budgets
- Integrating ads with AI Overviews and agentic shopping experiences
- Measuring performance and optimising for maximum ROI
Introduction
Google marketing in 2026 centres on agentic AI, advanced automation, and seamless integration across Search, Shopping, YouTube, Display, and beyond through Google Ads. Key innovations such as AI Max for Search, refined Performance Max capabilities, Demand Gen expansions, Direct Offers in AI Mode, and flexible campaign total budgets empower UK businesses to reach audiences more intelligently, scale efficiently, and achieve stronger returns. This guide explores these developments with practical strategies, showing how Be My Social can help implement them for tangible growth.
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Agentic AI: The Core Shift in Google Marketing for 2026
Agentic commerce represents a major evolution, where AI agents handle shopping tasks end-to-end, from discovery to purchase. Google supports this with tools like the Universal Commerce Protocol (an open standard) and enhanced AI capabilities for retailers.
Advertisers benefit from higher-intent connections, predictive modelling, and ads appearing in AI-driven experiences. Embracing these changes reduces manual effort while improving relevance and performance across the customer journey.
Performance Max: Refined for Greater Precision and Insights
Performance Max unifies Google’s inventory under AI optimisation, now with significant 2026 enhancements.
Key updates include:
- Detailed channel-level and asset reporting
- Placement exclusions, negative keywords, and brand controls
- High-value conversion focus
- Generative AI for creative variations
Success relies on supplying diverse, high-quality assets, clear signals, and regular performance reviews to steer the AI effectively.
AI Max: Supercharging Search with Advanced AI
AI Max adds a powerful suite to Search campaigns, expanding reach through keywordless targeting, dynamic text, predictive audiences, and integration with AI Overviews.
It captures complex queries and emerging intents without needing a separate campaign type, making it ideal for intent-focused advertisers seeking efficiency and relevance in an AI-first search environment.
Demand Gen: Building Awareness Through Visual and Entertaining Formats
Demand Gen targets visual surfaces like YouTube, Shorts, Discover, Gmail, and Display, excelling at upper-funnel goals with immersive creatives and AI-optimised delivery.
It drives consideration and site visits effectively, especially when paired with strong visuals and value-based bidding. Use it to inspire audiences and complement lower-funnel efforts.
Direct Offers and Campaign Total Budgets: New Controls for Flexibility
Direct Offers (in pilot) enable exclusive discounts in AI Mode for ready-to-buy shoppers, enhancing conversion in generative experiences.
Campaign total budgets (now in open beta for Search, Performance Max, and Shopping) allow set spending over custom periods, perfect for promotions or seasonal campaigns without constant daily tweaks.
Ads in AI Overviews and Agentic Experiences
Ads integrate naturally into AI summaries and agentic flows, rewarding relevant, high-quality signals.
Optimise with structured data, conversational content, and strong brand presence to gain visibility in these high-trust placements and influence decisions early.
Measuring and Optimising in the 2026 Landscape
Leverage improved reporting for asset insights, modelled conversions, and cross-channel views.
Track ROAS, conversion value, and engagement while testing creatives, managing negatives, and refreshing strategies. Data-driven iteration keeps campaigns aligned with evolving AI trends.
Conclusion
Google marketing in 2026 thrives through agentic AI, refined automation like Performance Max and AI Max, visual Demand Gen, and flexible tools such as Direct Offers and total budgets. By adopting these innovations strategically, businesses gain efficient reach, better targeting, and superior results in a dynamic digital ecosystem.
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Why Choose Be My Social for Your 2026 Google Marketing Plan?
As a leading Doncaster-based digital marketing agency, we craft customised, results-focused strategies that combine local expertise with cutting-edge tactics.
Our comprehensive services include:
- Social media management – Full strategy development, content creation, scheduling, community engagement, and ongoing performance monitoring to grow your audience authentically and consistently.
- Paid advertising – Expert setup and management of targeted campaigns across platforms, with A/B testing, budget optimisation, and detailed reporting to maximise ROI and reach the right local customers.
- Graphic design – Professional creation of eye-catching visuals, social media graphics, branding elements, and marketing materials that align with 2026 trends, blending AI-assisted concepts with genuine human creativity for standout results.
- Copy creation – Compelling, brand-aligned copywriting for posts, ads, captions, and website content that engages audiences, drives action, and strengthens your message.
- Web design and hosting – Modern, user-friendly, conversion-optimised websites built and hosted securely, with ongoing maintenance, updates, and integration for seamless social-to-website journeys.
- SEO – Strategic search engine optimisation to improve visibility, rankings, and organic traffic, ensuring your Doncaster business appears when local customers search for your services.
We prioritise transparent communication, measurable results, and a human-centred approach, helping small to medium businesses in Doncaster and beyond achieve sustainable digital growth without the hassle.
Contact us today:
Call 03305 519 900
Email hello@bemysocial.com
Visit us at First Floor, 8 Priory Pl, Doncaster DN1 1BL, United Kingdom
Fill out our contact form or get in touch – let’s build a powerful Google marketing strategy for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs address common questions from businesses exploring Google Ads innovations in 2026.
Heavy AI integration with agentic commerce, AI Max for Search, enhanced Performance Max, Demand Gen, Direct Offers, and flexible budgeting tools for smarter, more controlled campaigns.
Yes – with added transparency, exclusions, and creative support, it efficiently covers Google’s full inventory when optimised with quality assets.
It applies advanced AI for broader targeting, dynamic adaptations, and better handling of complex intents, boosting performance without a new campaign setup.
For upper-funnel awareness and visual storytelling on YouTube, Shorts, and Display, especially to build consideration before conversions.
We provide full-service support including Google Ads management (Performance Max, AI Max, Demand Gen, Search), paid advertising strategy, creative production, optimisation, and reporting to ensure you capitalise on 2026 features for real growth.
Peter
Peter Bezuidenhout is an SEO and digital marketing specialist based in KZN, South Africa, with a strong focus on serving UK and international clients. With nearly twenty years of experience, he helps brands increase their visibility and achieve growth through strategic SEO, results-driven campaigns, and creative content. His action-oriented, data-driven approach is tailored to help businesses thrive in today’s fast-paced digital world. Passionate about digital innovation.
A no-fuss attitude and a speedy turnaround!
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Highly recommended.
Ruth and Emily are amazing, they are always on hand to answer any questions and explain everything thoroughly.
Our contact Ruth always makes herself available for telephone/zoom meetings, constantly checks up on how sales are progressing and advises on changes to marketing strategies to try and ensure increased traffic to the website. I cannot recommend them highly enough 🙂
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