Ever wondered why the text asset you meant as a headline is showing as a sitelink? Or why Google introduced a button that lets users hide ads on Search?

Changes to how text ads show up - especially as AI experiences like AI Overviews and AI Mode drive a total reimagining of Search - can make advertisers feel out of step with the mechanics of their campaigns. So in this special episode of Ads Decoded, we’re pulling back the curtain on the design and testing process behind these new ad experiences on Search. Join host Ginny Marvin, Abby Butler (Ads UI Product Manager) and Adam Bullock (Search Ads UX Lead) as they discuss the "ecosystem balance" between user trust and advertiser value that guides every change that makes it to the results page.

In this deep dive:

Testing for trust: The specific data points and rigorous vetting process required to move a new format from hypothesis to global rollout.

Beyond the click: Why optimizing for user agency (like the new "hide" button) actually builds the long-term trust necessary for better advertiser ROI.

Asset variety is key: Why you shouldn't get hung up on the impressions of a single asset, and focus on asset breadth to meet the specific intent of complex, conversation-driven queries

Want Ginny’s key takeaways and tips from this conversation? Subscribe to the Ads Decoded newsletter.

Find Ginny at linkedin.com/in/ginnymarvin and @adsliaison on X.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hyper-granular campaigns used to be the gold standard. But in 2026, holding onto that legacy structure might be your biggest hidden cost.

Host Ginny Marvin joins Brandon Ervin, Director of Product Management for Search Ads, to discuss why simplifying your Search campaigns is the key to unlocking the full potential of AI Max and Smart Bidding. Learn how to stop chasing keywords and start capturing intent across the entire customer journey.

Want Ginny’s key takeaways and tips from this conversation? Subscribe to the Ads Decoded newsletter.

In this episode, we cover:

Aligning your campaign structure with your business goals, not just keyword permutations

How to sandbox your restructure on lower-priority campaigns first

Using ad group-level geo-targeting and brand exclusions to steer performance without segmentation.

Community Q&A: AI Overviews eligibility and how autocomplete impacts matching.

Find Ginny at linkedin.com/in/ginnymarvin and @adsliaison on X.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's face it, the transition to GA4 wasn't easy. If that hurdle has left you feeling disconnected from your data, this episode is the re-introduction you need to help turn Google Analytics from complicated chore to strategic advantage.

It’s time for a fresh start. Over the past year, a ton of new features and capabilities have rolled out to help advertisers get more out of Google Analytics. That includes more ads reporting capabilities. But what’s really exciting is that Google Analytics is becoming an activation engine for your campaigns – across your marketing mix.

In this episode of Ads Decoded, Ginny Marvin sits down with Eleanor Stribling, a Group Product Manager, Google Analytics, for a candid reset. We’re moving past the migration headaches to reveal what GA4 actually is today: an activation platform for predicting, planning, and enabling your next media opportunity.

Also in this episode:

Why ‘Data Strength’ is your new competitive advantage

The measurement audit: Is your setup firing on all cylinders?

Feature spotlight: ask questions and get insights from your data by chatting with Analytics Advisor

Community Q&A: Why don't my Google Analytics and Google Ads data match?

Find Ginny at linkedin.com/in/ginnymarvin and @adsliaison on X.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.