Google · 2026-05-20 · major
Google Plugs Ads Into AI Mode at Marketing Live 2026 — Conversational Discovery, Highlighted Answers, AI-Powered Shopping Ads, and a Gemini Business Agent for Leads
Google unveiled four Gemini-powered ad formats for AI Mode at Marketing Live 2026: Conversational Discovery ads that respond to specific prompts, Highlighted Answers inside AI recommendation lists, auto-written Shopping ad explainers, and a chatbot Business Agent for Leads.
The first ad inventory built for AI Mode — Gemini writes the creative, then drops it directly into conversational Search responses.
Key specs
| Ad formats | 4 |
|---|---|
| Test markets | US (mobile + desktop) |
| Ai mode user confidence (ipsos) | 75% |
| Format | Gemini-generated creative |
| Event | Google Marketing Live 2026 |
What is it?
A set of four new Google ad formats designed for AI Mode in Search. Conversational Discovery ads answer a person's specific question inside AI Mode. Highlighted Answers compete for slots inside AI-generated recommendation lists. AI-powered Shopping ads have Gemini write custom product explainers per shopper. Business Agent for Leads embeds a Gemini chatbot directly in the ad unit, replacing static lead forms.
How does it work?
Gemini analyses the intent behind each AI Mode query and dynamically generates ad creative tailored to that conversation. Highlighted Answers are eligible to appear inside AI Mode's recommendation lists — for example, alongside 'best language apps for an upcoming trip' results — clearly labelled as Sponsored. AI-powered Shopping ads pull the advertiser's most relevant product and let Gemini write a buyer-specific explainer at impression time. Business Agent for Leads swaps a one-shot form for a Gemini chatbot that qualifies prospects and books actions inside the ad.
Why does it matter?
AI Mode is Google's main conversational Search experience and was expanded last week at I/O 2026 with always-on Information Agents, Generative UI, and Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model. Until today, the AI-generated answers themselves carried no native ad inventory — a structural gap in Google's Search ads business that competitors and analysts have been pointing at since AI Mode rolled out. These are the first formats explicitly built to put ads into conversational Search responses rather than alongside them. Conversational Discovery ads and Highlighted Answers are in U.S. testing on mobile and desktop, AI-powered Shopping ads are slated to roll out later this year in the U.S., and Business Agent for Leads is launching in open beta for U.S. advertisers. Google cites an Ipsos Global Consumer Journeys survey of 13,000+ shoppers showing 75% of AI Mode users report making faster, more confident decisions.
Who is it for?
Search marketers, performance advertisers, retailers, lead-gen advertisers, anyone watching Google monetise generative Search
Try it
Available to test now in Google Ads in the US on mobile and desktop