Marketing Updates Corner

What's new on every channel

The platform changes that matter, in plain English, with exactly what to do about them.

Google2 Nov 2026

Google Ads Data Manager accepts encrypted customer data from 16 November

What changed: From 16 November, Google Ads Data Manager accepts encrypted, unhashed customer data for customer list and offline conversion uploads.

Why it matters: It changes how businesses can prepare customer lists for Customer Match and offline conversion tracking.

What to do: If you upload customer lists or offline conversions, review the new option with whoever manages your data, and keep following your consent and privacy rules.

Source: CME Media
Meta2 Nov 2026

Meta Pixel setting switches on by default on 12 November

What changed: A Meta Pixel setting that measures conversions on shoppers' own devices is due to switch on by default from 12 November for advertisers using the Pixel or Conversions API.

Why it matters: Reported conversion numbers may shift after the change, which can look like a performance change when it isn't.

What to do: Note your conversion numbers for the week before 12 November, check the setting in Events Manager, and confirm your privacy policy and consent banner cover it.

Source: CME Media
Google30 Oct 2026

Ads in Google's AI search answers are coming to Nigeria and Kenya

What changed: Google is expanding sponsored results inside its AI search answers to ten more countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, India and Canada, with the UK, Brazil and Mexico due later in 2026.

Why it matters: Ads will appear inside conversational answers, matched to longer, more specific questions, not just short keywords.

What to do: Make sure product feeds, ad assets and landing pages clearly answer the specific questions your customers ask.

Source: ARY News / Reuters
Meta28 Oct 2026

Product browsing switched on by default in existing Meta ads

What changed: Meta notified advertisers it would add product browsing to existing Facebook and Instagram ads from 28 October unless they opted out.

Why it matters: Clicks may now open an in-app product browsing experience instead of the page you chose, which can affect tracking and conversion paths.

What to do: Check your running ads' creative enhancement settings and opt out where your own landing page matters.

Source: PPC Land
Meta28 Oct 2026

Meta puts its new ad terms on hold

What changed: Meta planned to update its Commercial Terms and Self-Serve Ad Terms on 30 October, then moved the date to 20 November. On 28 October it said it won't make the changes without a full consultation with industry groups. The existing terms remain in place for now.

Why it matters: The draft terms would have put more responsibility for AI-made ad changes on advertisers, so the final version is worth reading carefully.

What to do: Keep reviewing AI creative enhancements on live ads, and have whoever signs off your ad terms read Meta's final text before it takes effect.

Source: AdsUploader
AI22 Oct 2026

ChatGPT ads expand to 26 more countries

What changed: OpenAI says over 100,000 advertisers have now run campaigns on ChatGPT, and it is expanding ChatGPT Ads into 26 more countries.

Why it matters: AI assistants are becoming a paid channel alongside search and social, not just an organic one.

What to do: Watch eligibility for your markets and note which questions your customers ask AI assistants, so you're ready to test.

Source: Adweek
SEO8 Oct 2026

Google's September 2026 spam update has finished rolling out

What changed: Google's September 2026 spam update completed on 8 October after several waves of ranking volatility, with reports pointing to scaled, low-value AI content as a target.

Why it matters: Sites publishing large volumes of thin, AI-written pages risk losing visibility.

What to do: Audit thin pages; merge, improve or remove them, and add real expertise and examples to the ones you keep.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable
Google1 Sept 2026

Automatically created assets and campaign-level broad match moved to AI Max

What changed: From 1 September, Google Ads migrated automatically created assets and campaign-level broad match settings into AI Max for Search campaigns.

Why it matters: Your ads can match a wider range of searches and use generated text, so wasted spend can creep in unnoticed.

What to do: Review search terms weekly, keep negative keywords up to date, and check AI Max brand and URL settings.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable
LinkedIn1 Jun 2026

First Impression Ads now available globally

What changed: LinkedIn's First Impression Ads, which reserve the first video ad a member sees that day, are now globally available, alongside Reserved Ads for top-of-feed placement.

Why it matters: B2B advertisers can buy guaranteed visibility for launches and events instead of competing in the auction.

What to do: Consider it for single-day moments (events, product news) with a strong vertical video; measure reach and follow-on engagement.

Source: eMarketer
TikTok13 May 2026

TikTok opens its ads platform to AI agents

What changed: At TikTok World, TikTok launched an Ads MCP server that lets AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT manage TikTok campaigns, plus an AI Summary that suggests optimisations.

Why it matters: AI agents can now change budgets and campaigns directly, which saves time but can make costly changes quickly.

What to do: If you connect AI tools, set clear limits on what they can change and review every change before it goes live.

Source: Social Media Today

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