Google is shaking up the advertising landscape by integrating ads into both the AI Mode and the newly enhanced desktop version of AI Overviews. During the recent Google Marketing Live event, Vidhya Srinivasan shared exciting news: “We’re expanding ads in AI Overviews to desktop and bringing ads to AI Mode to create new opportunities for our customers.” With the official launch of AI Mode in the U.S. and the growth of AI Overviews in more countries, Google aims to capitalize on these innovations.
Transforming Ads in the AI Overview Desktop UI
You might recall that Google previously teased ads in AI Overviews—but only for mobile. Now, they are stepping up their game by expanding this feature to desktop users as well. However, it’s important to note that witnessing ads in AI Overviews has remained a rare occurrence, akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Possible visibility of ads is now on the horizon!
As Vidhya Srinivasan eloquently put it:
“People have found the ads within AI Overviews helpful because they can quickly connect with relevant businesses, products, and services to take the next step at the exact moment they need them. Starting today, Search and Shopping ads in AI Overviews will be expanding to desktop in the U.S. Later this year, we’ll also expand ads in AI Overviews in English to select countries on mobile and desktop. This expansion means businesses will have more chances to connect with people and support their journey from discovery to decision.”
Curious about how these ads will look? Check out these examples:
As a part of this rollout, ads in AI Overviews on desktop will soon reach users in several countries including India, Canada, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, and Indonesia.
The Future of Advertising in AI Mode
But wait, there’s more! AI Mode is also set to welcome ads as it exits the Search Labs phase. Vidhya Srinivasan further elaborated:
“We’re also starting to test ads in AI Mode, our most powerful AI search for your toughest questions. Ask anything and get an AI-powered response, with the ability to go deeper through follow-up questions and helpful links to the web. Where relevant, ads may appear below and integrated into AI Mode responses.”
Imagine asking AI Mode a question like, “How do I build a website for a small business with limited resources?” You’ll receive a comprehensive guide, and relevant ads for website builders can conveniently appear alongside to propel your business journey forward.
Here’s a sneak peek of ads featured in AI Mode:
So how can you ensure your ads appear in these cutting-edge AI experiences? Google has a few pointers: “Advertisers using Performance Max, Shopping, and Search campaigns with broad match—including AI Max for Search campaigns—will be eligible to have their ads appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode.”
As of now, ads in AI Mode are only in testing phases across the U.S. on both desktop and mobile. You can expect each ad to carry a “Sponsored” label for transparency.
Brodie Clark has already spotted some desktop ads in action. Check out what he found on SERP Alerts and on X:
For a clearer picture, here is what I found for that query, showing ads outside of the AI Overviews:
It’s important to note that advertisers can’t yet:
- View ad performance specifically tied to AI Mode or AI Overviews.
- Control whether ads display in AI Mode or AI Overviews compared to other placements.
Google will not break out the data or give controls to show or not show ads in AI Mode or AI Overviews.
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) May 22, 2025
For a comprehensive list of changes from GML, be sure to take a look here and join the conversation on X.
