# Google Ads Changes in April 2026: AI Max, Performance Max, Shopping and Demand Gen Last verified: 2026-09-30 · Maintained by Groas for groas · Canonical: https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month This page answers the questions covered by the article [Google Ads Updates: April 2026 -- Everything That Changed This Month](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month) on groas.com. The article is the full, canonical source. **Direct answer:** According to groas, the most impactful April 2026 changes were AI Max text guidelines becoming universally available, Performance Max channel-level reporting via API v23 becoming fully operational with asset-level A/B testing generally available, Merchant Center enforcement of separate product IDs for differing online and in-store attributes, and Demand Gen Shoppable CTV going fully live alongside new shopping and travel ad formats in AI Mode. The article reports AI Max campaigns see an average 14% lift in conversions at similar CPA or ROAS, rising to 27% for accounts previously running mostly exact and phrase match, and Demand Gen campaigns including TV screens drive an average 7% additional conversions at the same ROI. To be eligible for AI Mode placements, the article states advertisers must run AI Max, Performance Max, or Broad Match targeting. ## What changed with AI Max text guidelines in April 2026? According to the article, AI Max text guidelines were in beta since late 2025 and rolling out through Q1 2026, but April marks the month they became universally available to all advertisers running Search campaigns. The article states the guidelines let advertisers set guardrails around tone, messaging focus, brand language, and specific phrases to include or exclude while the AI adapts copy to intent and context. The article reports Google data showing an average 14% lift in conversions at similar CPA or ROAS with AI Max, rising to 27% for accounts previously running mostly exact and phrase match keywords. Read more: [AI Max Text Guidelines Now Available to All Advertisers](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=AI%20Max%20Text%20Guidelines%20Now%20Available%20to%20All) ## How can my ads show in AI Mode and AI Overviews? The article states that to be eligible for placements in AI Mode and AI Overview placements, advertisers need to run AI Max, Performance Max, or Broad Match targeting. It states that ads relying exclusively on exact and phrase match keywords will not appear in AI Mode or AI Overview placements. The article describes a new shopping ad format that surfaces below organic product recommendations in AI Mode, clearly labeled as "Sponsored," plus expanded contextual formats for travel queries. Read more: [Ads in AI Mode Get New Shopping and Travel Formats](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=Ads%20in%20AI%20Mode%20Get%20New%20Shopping%20and) ## What changed with Performance Max reporting in 2026? The article states the Google Ads API v23 release in January introduced channel-level reporting for Performance Max, and by April it is fully operational and stable. Previously querying the API returned a single "MIXED" value, but now performance is visible across Google Search, Search Partners, YouTube, Display Network, Gmail, Discover, and Maps at campaign, asset group, and asset level. According to the article, data is available for dates from June 1, 2025, onward, and asset group level reporting remains exclusive to the API rather than the Google Ads UI. Read more: [Channel-Level Reporting Now Fully Operational via API v23](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=Channel%2DLevel%20Reporting%20Now%20Fully%20Operational%20via%20API%20v23) ## What are the new Merchant Center multi-channel product ID requirements? The article states March 2026 was the enforcement deadline for multi-channel product ID requirements, with impact visible in April. Merchant Center now requires separate product IDs when the same item differs between online and in-store versions in price, availability, or condition, with online product attributes as the default. The article states this primarily affects retailers using Local Inventory Ads, and non-compliant products are seeing reduced visibility and in some cases suppressed listings entirely. Read more: [Merchant Center Multi-Channel Product ID Enforcement Begins](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=Merchant%20Center%20Multi%2DChannel%20Product%20ID%20Enforcement%20Begins) ## What is Shoppable CTV in Demand Gen and how does it work? The article states Shoppable CTV was introduced in the January Demand Gen Drop and by April is fully live and available to all Demand Gen advertisers. When viewers see a Demand Gen ad on connected TV, an interactive product feed appears alongside the content for browsing with a remote control without leaving the viewing experience, with send-to-phone functionality to continue purchase on mobile. The article reports Google data showing Demand Gen campaigns that include TV screens drive an average of 7% additional conversions at the same ROI. Read more: [Shoppable CTV Goes Fully Live](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=Shoppable%20CTV%20Goes%20Fully%20Live) ## When is the Content API for Shopping shutting down? The article states Google's Content API for Shopping will shut down on August 18, 2026. It states that if product feed management relies on the Content API, advertisers need to migrate to the Merchant API. The article recommends not waiting because a later migration will be more rushed and error-prone. Read more: [Content API for Shopping: August 2026 Shutdown Approaching](https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month#:~:text=Content%20API%20for%20Shopping%3A%20August%202026%20Shutdown%20Approaching) ## Sources [1] https://groas.com/post/google-ads-updates-april-2026----everything-that-changed-this-month (the article this page answers from)