Google has unveiled Gemini-Powered AI Advertising and Commerce Tools at Marketing Live 2026.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Google has announced a new generation of artificial intelligence-powered advertising and commerce solutions driven by its Gemini AI models during the 2026 edition of Google Marketing Live 2026.
The company revealed a range of multimodal AI innovations aimed at transforming digital advertising, retail commerce, campaign measurement, and customer engagement across Search, YouTube, and other Google platforms.
At the event, Google described Gemini as the engine powering the next phase of advertising and commerce, helping businesses improve discovery, creativity, campaign performance, and investment decisions.
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According to the company, the new tools are designed to help marketers move beyond automation into what it called “marketing intelligence,” where AI acts as a strategic business partner.
One of the major announcements was the introduction of next-generation AI-powered ads on Google Search. The company said users are now asking more conversational and complex questions through generative AI, prompting Google to redesign how ads appear within search experiences.
Google unveiled new “Conversational Discovery Ads” in AI Mode, where Gemini generates customized ad creatives based on the context of a user’s search query. Another format, known as “Highlighted Answers,” allows advertisers to appear as featured recommendations when Google’s AI curates recommendation lists.
The company also announced expanded “Direct Offers” capabilities, enabling businesses to upload discounts, giveaways, and travel promotions that Gemini can automatically match to relevant users. Travel booking deals from companies such as Booking.com and Expedia will also be integrated into AI-assisted travel planning in the United States.
Google further introduced AI-powered Shopping Ads featuring Gemini-generated explainers describing why a product may suit a customer’s needs. In addition, the company launched “Business Agent for Leads,” allowing shoppers to interact directly with AI agents trained on advertisers’ websites.
On the creative side, Google upgraded its AI-powered Asset Studio within Google Ads. The tool now allows marketers to generate text, image, and video campaign assets by uploading marketing briefs, brand guidelines, and reference images. The company said businesses will also be able to conduct 1-click A/B testing to identify top-performing ads.
Google announced that its AI-powered Demand Gen campaigns are expanding globally with new integrations, including Google Maps inventory and Merchant Center product videos to help retailers improve product discovery and engagement.
The company also introduced updates to its measurement and analytics systems. Its open-source marketing mix model, Meridian, will now integrate directly into Google Analytics 360, enabling businesses to analyse cross-channel and first-party data in one place.
In the commerce segment, Google expanded its Universal Commerce Protocol, UCP, designed to scale AI-driven shopping experiences across the web. The system now allows customers to purchase multiple products directly within Google experiences or transfer shopping carts to retailers’ websites.
Google said UCP-powered checkout experiences will also expand to YouTube Shopping Ads, hotel booking, and food delivery services in the coming months.
Additionally, the company launched AI performance insights tools in Merchant Center to help merchants monitor their visibility across AI-driven shopping experiences on Google platforms.
Google noted that several of the new AI advertising and commerce tools are currently being tested in the United States, while others are expected to roll out globally over the coming months.
The company said the developments reinforce its strategy of embedding Gemini AI deeply across its advertising ecosystem to help businesses drive growth in an increasingly AI-driven digital economy.
