Google expands ads in AI Mode as it seeks revenue from AI search

AI · First reported 29 Oct, 07:04 · Updated 13:00

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Google is expanding sponsored listings in AI Mode to 10 more countries and plans to introduce ads during follow-up questions in the US. The move comes as Google says AI search has lower monetization than traditional search, while commentators raise concerns about effects on publisher traffic.

Google is adding AI Mode ads in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore. It plans to expand to Brazil, Mexico and the UK in Q4 2026.
Sponsored listings can appear alongside AI-generated results, and Google says they will be labeled. In the US, ads may also appear in follow-up questions when a conversation has commercial relevance.
Google executives said AI Mode has lower monetization than traditional Search; Google is scaling advertising in response.
Google said click-through rates for sponsored product listings were comparable to regular or organic product results.
CNET reports that an SEO expert warned AI summaries and additional ads could make it harder for people to reach publisher websites through Google.

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Key facts

New markets: 10: Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore.
Further planned expansion: Brazil, Mexico and the UK in Q4 2026.
US ad format: Sponsored results may appear during follow-up queries in AI Mode.
Google’s stated performance: Click-through rates for sponsored product listings were comparable to regular or organic product listings.
Monetization: Google described AI Mode as having lower monetization than traditional Search.