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Google Marketing Platform – News for February 2026

March 3, 2026
Every month, we collect the main updates to Google Marketing Platform tools. Here's what changed in DV360, GA360, and CM360 in February 2026.

Google Marketing Platform – News for February 2026

March 3, 2026
Every month, we collect the main updates to Google Marketing Platform tools. Here's what changed in DV360, GA360, and CM360 in February 2026.
Svitlana Kryskova

[Update] Insertion Order targeting & inventory source settings — February 23, 2026

  • Targeting and inventory source settings are being removed from the Campaign and Insertion Order (IO) levels. They will be consolidated at the Partner and Line Item levels only.
  • Why this matters: This changes the standard campaign hierarchy. While ad serving won’t be affected, you must update your workflows (including API and SDF) to apply these settings at the partner or line item level instead.

[Update] VAC line items paused for Demand Gen upgrade — February 28, 2026

  • All active YouTube video action campaign (VAC) line items will be set to paused and subsequently archived. This ensures a smooth transition to the upgraded Demand Gen capabilities.
  • Why this matters: To prevent delivery issues or performance drops, you should migrate your active budgets to Demand Gen line items as soon as possible.

[Update] Manual Programmatic Guaranteed deal creation — March 2026

  • The ability to manually create Programmatic Guaranteed deals is being deprecated. Deals must now be sent via the Deal Sync API and accepted within the DV360 UI.
  • Why this matters: This automates the deal flow and reduces manual errors. Existing manual deals will stay active, but all new PG deals must follow the API-based workflow.

[Update] BlueKai audiences in combined audiences — March 2026

  • DV360 will no longer support BlueKai segments within Combined Audiences. If advertisers don’t remove these legacy segments, the system will pause the affected line items in March 2026.
  • Why this matters: You should audit your audience logic now and replace legacy BlueKai segments to ensure uninterrupted delivery.

[Update] Updating dimensions and metrics — March 2026

  • Google is standardizing dimension and metric names across the UI and report files. For example, Gender values will change from “M/F” to “Male/Female,” and several field titles will be renamed.
  • Why this matters: If you pull reports via scripts or automated tools, you must update them to handle the new column headers and values to prevent data processing errors.

[Update] Unruly exchange renamed to Nexxen — March 2026

  • The ad exchange partner Unruly will be renamed Nexxen. This is a brand change only with no impact on functionality.
  • Why this matters: There is no change to serving, but you will need to look for “Nexxen” instead of “Unruly” in the UI filters and inventory source settings.

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[Update] Removal of Natural Search fields — January 2026

  • The Natural Search feature has been deprecated due to the shift to HTTPS traffic. Corresponding fields will now be fully removed from the Campaign Manager 360 UI and API.
  • Why this matters: This completes the sunset of outdated tracking methods. Users relying on these fields for reporting or API integrations must update their configurations to avoid errors.

[Update] Deprecation of Paid Social metrics from Search Ads 360 — March 2026

  • CM360 will stop providing paid social metrics and dimensions sourced from Search Ads 360 (e.g., Meta data). These will no longer appear in CM360 reporting templates.
  • Why this matters: For full insights into paid social performance, you must now use the Search Ads 360 interface directly. This change requires a shift in how multi-channel reports are compiled.

[Update] Web/App split for Floodlight Activities — March 2026

  • For Google Analytics-linked properties, CM360 is updating conversion collection. New properties will automatically split Floodlight activities into separate web and app streams.
  • Why this matters: You will gain more granular insight into which platforms drive results. This allows for a more precise evaluation of performance across websites versus mobile applications, enabling smarter optimization.

[Update] Deprecation of Creative-Level Third-party URLs — March 2026

  • Legacy impression, click, and survey URL fields at the creative level are being removed. All third-party tracking must now be managed exclusively through Event Tags.
  • Why this matters: This streamlines tracking management and ensures API alignment. If your integration relies on legacy URL fields, you must update to Event Tags to maintain tracking continuity.

[Update] Removal of Creative Projects from the UI — April 2026

  • Following the sunset of Ads Creative Studio, the “Creative Projects” section will be removed from the CM360 UI. Assets will remain in the Advertiser’s library.
  • Why this matters: Existing ads will stay active, but the “project” structure will disappear. Creatives will become standard library items, which may require adjustments to your workflow organization.

[Update] YouTube & Display Pixel implementation to self-serve — Q1 2026

  • A new self-service integration allows users to link Google Ads accounts directly to CM360 to apply tracking pixels for YouTube and Display.
  • Why this matters: This significantly streamlines setup and management, giving advertisers more control and efficiency without needing manual intervention from support teams.

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[Update] Generated insights on the Home page — February 10, 2026

  • Essence: GA4 has introduced a “Generated insights” section on the Home page. Using AI, it summarizes the top 3 data changes since your last visit, highlighting anomalies, metric spikes, or key configuration updates.
  • Why this matters: It streamlines your daily workflow by pointing out significant shifts in your data immediately. You don’t have to dig through reports to find what happened while you were away—the most critical info is delivered upfront.

[Update] Expanded calculated metrics for all properties — January 16, 2026

  • Essence: Google has increased the limits and capabilities of Calculated Metrics. Users now have more flexibility to create custom metrics using advanced formulas based on standard GA4 data.
  • Why this matters: This provides enhanced analytical power. You can define and track business-specific KPIs (like adjusted profit margins or complex engagement ratios) directly within the UI, reducing the need for external data processing in spreadsheets.

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