Google ads in AI Mode: now in India and nine more markets
Google is bringing ads in AI Mode, its conversational search, to ten more markets, including India. Google announced the expansion on 28 October 2026. Existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns are eligible automatically, ads are in English, and there is no way to opt out or to see AI Mode results separately.
| Platform | Google Ads |
|---|---|
| Feature | Ads in AI Mode |
| Announced | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Status | Rolling out |
| Where available | Rolling out from 28 October 2026 in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore, in English. Already available in the US. Brazil, Mexico and the UK are planned for Q4 2026. Multiturn ads, in follow-up questions, are launching in the US only. |
| Who is affected | Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns in the named markets, especially those using AI Max for Search or broad match. |
| Action needed | None required. Check the search terms report for longer, question-style queries, add negative keywords where needed, and keep Merchant Center feeds complete. |
| Sources | Google Ads & Commerce blog: Ads in AI Mode expand to new markets · Google Ads Help: About ads in AI-powered experiences in Google Search |
What changed
Google’s announcement says it is now scaling ads in AI Mode in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore. Brazil, Mexico and the UK are planned for Q4 2026. Ads are labelled “Sponsored”.
In the US, Google is also launching multiturn ads, which can show in follow-up questions within an AI Mode conversation. That part is US only for now.
Google’s help page gives the working details:
- Campaigns: existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns are eligible. No new campaign or budget is needed.
- Formats: text ads and Shopping ads. Google is testing local inventory ads and vehicle ads.
- Language: English in every listed market. Pakistan gets text ads only.
- Matching: AI Max for Search, broad match and the AI targeting in Shopping and Performance Max can match direct queries and broader questions. Exact and phrase match keywords show only when the query has direct commercial intent.
- Controls: you can’t target AI Mode alone or opt out of it separately from Search. Negative keywords, brand exclusions and asset pinning still apply.
- Reporting: results are counted in your normal campaign reports and the search terms report, with no separate segment.
- Cost: the same auction and bidding as standard Search ads, with no extra charge.
- AI explainers: Google may show an AI-written explanation alongside some ads. Advertisers can’t write, edit or turn these off.
Google gives two data points from the US: AI Mode queries are on average three times longer than traditional searches, and click-through rates are similar for sponsored and organic product listings in AI Mode.
Why it matters
For Indian advertisers, AI Mode becomes another place their Search and Shopping ads can show. People type longer, more specific questions in AI Mode, often while comparing options. Your existing campaigns can now show there without any change on your side.
Two things stand out. Exact and phrase match accounts will reach AI Mode only on clearly commercial queries, so most of the broader, question-style traffic goes to AI Max and broad match. And because results are mixed into your normal Search numbers, a change in performance from AI Mode won’t show up as its own line. The search terms report is the main place to see it.
What to do
- Open the search terms report every week for the next month and look for longer, question-style queries. Add negative keywords for any that don’t fit.
- If you run exact and phrase match only, decide whether to test AI Max or broad match on one campaign. Don’t switch everything at once.
- For Shopping and Performance Max, keep your Merchant Center feed complete: titles, descriptions, prices and stock that answer detailed questions.
- Check your brand exclusions and negative keyword lists now, since they are the only controls over where these ads appear.
- Compare conversion rate and cost per conversion before and after the rollout, campaign by campaign.
Still unknown
Google gives no date for when the rollout will be complete in each market, and no plans for Indian languages other than English. There is no separate report or segment for AI Mode, and no date for multiturn ads outside the US. The click-through and query-length figures are Google’s US data.
Frequently asked questions
Are Google ads in AI Mode available in India?
Yes. On 28 October 2026 Google said it is scaling ads in AI Mode in India and nine other markets. Google’s help page lists India, in English, for ads within both AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Do I need a new campaign for AI Mode ads?
No. Existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns are eligible automatically. Google says advertisers don’t need new campaigns or separate budgets.
Can I opt out of ads in AI Mode?
No. You can’t target AI Mode on its own or opt out of it separately from Search. Negative keywords and brand exclusions still limit when your ads show.
Where do I see AI Mode ad results in Google Ads?
AI Mode and AI Overviews results are included in your normal campaign reports and the search terms report. Google’s help page describes no separate segment for them.
Which keyword match types can show ads in AI Mode?
AI Max for Search, broad match and the AI targeting in Shopping and Performance Max can match both direct queries and broader questions. Exact and phrase match keywords are eligible only when the query shows direct commercial intent.
Official sources
- Google Ads & Commerce blog: Ads in AI Mode expand to new markets ↗ · Oct 28, 2026
- Google Ads Help: About ads in AI-powered experiences in Google Search ↗
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Update history
- — First coverage of Google’s 28 October 2026 expansion of ads in AI Mode; sources checked on 29 October.
Suggested checks are editorial guidance, not platform requirements. Every claim links to its official source. Report a correction →