Google brings new AI-powered ad formats to search – Engadget

Google brings new AI-powered ad formats to search – Engadget

By Will Shanklin
Publication Date: 2026-05-20 19:39:00

Finally, the Google I/O announcement you’ve been waiting for.

With Google turning search into an AI-driven experience, it was only a matter of time before AI ads came into play. As part of its Google I/O week announcements, the company previewed how Gemini-powered conversation ads will appear in search results. Fortunately, all new AI-generated ad formats are labeled as “sponsored.”

Google is testing two new ad types in AI mode, both powered by an “independent AI explainer.” First, conversational discovery ads…