If you run Google Ads, Google's AI is doing more of the placing and writing than you chose. This week: your ads can already show in AI Mode, Performance Max may skip searches for your own name, and Local Services Ads are moving into Google Ads.
The short version
- Your Search, Shopping and Performance Max ads can already show in AI Mode, with no separate off switch. Check your negative keywords.
- Performance Max may now skip searches for your business name. Make sure a brand Search campaign is running.
- Google can write review summaries into your Search ads. Know what your reviews say.
- Local Services Ads are moving into Google Ads, and service-area businesses are next. Save your reports now.
- Set your Thanksgiving and Small Business Saturday hours on your Google Business Profile this week.
Around the CSRA
A one-hour AI marketing webinar from the Georgia SBDC, November 9
The UGA Small Business Development Center's Marketing Monday series runs a live webinar on generative AI on Monday, November 9, 10 to 11 am. It costs $29 and is hosted by the SBDC office at Kennesaw State University, so it's online, not in Augusta.
What to do: Register through the "Register Now" link on the course page. The access link comes in a separate email.
Google Ads
Your ads can show in AI Mode, and you can't opt out separately
Google's Ads Help page on ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode says existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns "are automatically eligible." In AI Mode, ads can appear "across follow-up questions."
You can't target AI Mode alone, or opt out of it separately from Search. Negative keywords and brand exclusions are still there.
Picture someone asking AI Mode about HVAC repair in Evans, then following up with "which of these can come out Saturday?" Your ad can show on that follow-up. Good if you can. Wasted money if you can't.
What to do: Open your search terms report and add negatives for the jobs, places and days you don't serve. Make sure your landing page answers the obvious follow-ups: hours, service area and how to get a quote.
Performance Max may now skip searches for your business name
Google's Performance Max help page now says these campaigns "may also filter out navigational or brand-specific search queries." Google's advice is a dedicated brand Search campaign with "sufficient budget and high-quality, eligible ads." The page is undated, but trade outlets began reporting the wording on November 2 and 3.
If Performance Max is your only campaign, someone typing your company name could see a competitor's ad first.
What to do: In Google Ads, open Campaigns and look for a Search campaign that targets your business name. If there isn't one, create it with your name as the keywords and a small daily budget.
Google writes review summaries into Search ads
Per Google's page on review summaries in Search ads, "Google AI automatically aggregates online reviews from across the web" into short commentary in your ad. It's English-only in the US, UK, Australia and India. Google shows it only when it predicts better performance, and you "cannot directly edit or customize the generated text." The page doesn't describe an opt-out.
Your reviews are now part of your ad copy.
What to do: Read your newest ten reviews the way a stranger would. Reply to the negative ones and keep new reviews coming.
Real Google reps email from @xwf.google.com
Search Engine Roundtable reported on November 2 that an SEO consultant got a cold call from someone claiming to be a Google Ads contractor. Google's own help page says to "always check carefully the identity" of anyone claiming to act for Google, and that "Google representatives always have an email address that ends with @xwf.google.com."
What to do: Ask any caller to email you, and check the domain before you share account access or a card number. If you're unsure, use Help > Contact us inside your Google Ads account.
Local Services Ads
LSA is moving into Google Ads, and service-area businesses are next
Google's migration page says the first phase began in August 2026 for select home and storefront service advertisers in the US. In "late 2026," it expands to "service-area businesses without physical storefronts." That's most trades in the CSRA.
What changes when your account moves:
- Your weekly budget is divided by 7 into a daily budget. Monthly spend is capped at that number times 30.4.
- Manual bidding is no longer supported.
- "Previous performance reports will no longer be accessible."
- BBB callouts are no longer supported. Google suggests at least six other structured callouts.
What to do: Download or screenshot your LSA lead and performance reports now. Check that whoever receives Google's emails still works for you.
Google Business Profile
Restaurants can now switch off third-party ordering links
On October 28, Google's Lisa Landsman announced on LinkedIn, and Search Engine Roundtable reported, that restaurants can manage ordering providers such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart and Grubhub from the Business Profile dashboard. You can turn a provider off completely or partially, without contacting each delivery platform.
What to do: Open your dashboard, review every ordering link, and turn off the ones you don't use. Click each remaining link to confirm the menu is current.
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft's October update (October 28) gives Performance Max more control. Age and gender targeting is now generally available. Device targeting is "rolling out to all advertisers in the coming weeks." A search term landing page report starts "mid-November." The Conversions API, which lets you send sales from your CRM or register back to Microsoft, is generally available too.
What to do: If you run Microsoft Performance Max, check the search term report this week.
One thing to do this week
Set your holiday hours. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and Small Business Saturday is November 28.
Google's special hours help page says special hours only show if your hours are set to "Open with main hours." It also recommends confirming hours for official holidays even when they match your regular schedule.
Go to Edit profile > Hours, click the edit icon next to Special hours, choose a date and click Save. Five minutes. Skip it and someone drives to a locked door.
New to your Business Profile? Start with how to fix a profile that isn't showing up on Google Maps.
Related reading
- Just claimed your Google Business Profile? What to do in the first week
- SEO for service businesses: how to show up when locals search
- Should small businesses block AI bots?
If you'd rather someone else keep an eye on your ad account, that's what our ad management is for.
Originally published November 2026.
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