Google announced in May 2026 that its Gemini AI model will now generate custom product descriptions within Search ads, marking a significant expansion of AI into its advertising products.
When a user searches for a product, Gemini will surface relevant sponsored items alongside an AI-written “custom explainer” explaining why a specific product may suit their needs. In an example provided by Google, a search for a “compact espresso pod machine” returns a sponsored Nespresso Vertuo Up listing paired with an AI-generated description covering features like heat-up time, capsule compatibility, and cup size options.
The update also introduces ads with a built-in chatbot. These listings display an “Ask a question” button that opens a Gemini-powered conversation, drawing on the advertiser’s website content to answer user queries. The chatbot can also prompt users to submit a form to connect directly with the business.
Google is additionally testing new ad formats within AI Mode, its chatbot-style Search experience. One format surfaces a sponsored product in response to a specific question — for example, an air freshener ad appearing beneath an AI response to “What are some low-maintenance ways to make my home smell amazing?” Google’s example shows the ad occupying the full screen when scrolled into view. A second format places sponsored products or services at the bottom of AI-generated recommendation lists, with Duolingo cited as an illustration.
The announcement came one day after Google unveiled a new Search box designed for longer, conversational queries alongside a broader push toward AI-generated results.
Vidhya Srinivasan, Google’s vice president of ads and commerce, said the formats are intended to “close the gap between a person’s initial question and their final purchase.” The changes suggest Google is moving to embed advertising more deeply into AI-driven Search interactions, which could reshape how users encounter sponsored content while browsing.
Source: The Verge