AI is changing everything — not just how we search, but how we advertise. While AI Mode marks a new era for Google Search, the paid side is catching up fast: AI Max is Google’s AI-powered upgrade for traditional Search campaigns.
But here’s the thing: AI Max isn’t a new campaign type. It’s a powerful layer of creative and targeting automation you can activate with a single click — right inside your existing Search setup. It expands your keyword coverage, generates relevant ad copy in real time, and helps you reach users you’d otherwise miss: people searching in new, more complex, or previously untapped ways.
Why does that matter? Because search behavior is evolving — fast. It’s no longer just about keywords; it’s about intent, context, and conversation.
If you want to understand where AI Search is headed in 2025, don’t just watch what happens in AI Mode. Take a close look at how AI Max could give your campaigns a serious edge.
What Is AI Max – and Why Should You Care?
AI Max is Google’s latest feature set for Search campaigns. It’s not a new campaign type — it’s a plug-and-play upgrade you can activate within your existing campaigns. The goal: to bring the full power of Google AI into the classic keyword-driven Search universe, unlocking broader reach, smarter targeting, and better ads.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Rollout: Global beta since May 2025
- Germany: Expected to launch late June / early July
- Activation: Directly in the campaign setup under “Enable AI-powered features”
- Purpose: Performance booster for standard Search campaigns — no new builds needed
First Results: What Google Is Reporting
According to Google’s early beta data:
| Campaign Type | Avg. Uplift with AI Max |
| All Campaigns | +14% conversions or conversion value |
| Exact/Phrase Match Campaigns | +27% conversions or conversion value |
Note: These numbers come from internal tests and case studies — particularly with big brands like L’Oréal and MyConnect (more on that in the next section).
So How Does AI Max Work?
AI Max consists of three core components you can activate individually or together:
1. Search Term Matching (Keywordless + Intent-Based)
- Expands your keyword reach using AI
- Builds on your setup: keywords, landing pages, and creatives
- Uses Broad Match + “Keywordless AI” to surface new, high-intent queries
2. Text Customization (formerly Automatically Created Assets)
- Dynamically generates new headlines & descriptions
- Based on: final URL, existing ads, campaign goals
- Tailored to user intent, including CTAs & USPs
3. Final URL Expansion
- Routes users to the most relevant subpage
- AI adjusts the destination dynamically based on query
- Especially useful for large e-com or category-based sites
💡 Pro tip: Google recommends activating all three components to unlock full potential and synergy.
How to Use AI Max – and Get It Right
AI Max isn’t just a nice add-on. It’s a game-changer for scale, relevance, and performance — especially when all three functions work together.
1. Search Term Matching – Unlock New, High-Intent Queries
Think beyond your keyword list. With Search Term Matching, Google’s AI identifies relevant terms you haven’t added manually — including long-tails and semantic near-matches.
- Based on your current setup: keywords, URLs, ad copy
- Boosts reach and intent-matching
- Ideal for advertisers with solid Search structures
- Google reports up to +27% uplift in conversion value with this feature
2. Text Customization – Ads That Write Themselves
This is the evolution of Automatically Created Assets (ACA). Now: smarter, more tailored, and context-aware ad copy — all generated by AI.
- Headlines, descriptions, and CTAs generated in real time
- Adapts to product variations, seasonal intent, or user goals
- Works alongside your manual assets — you’re still in control
- Perfect for product-heavy campaigns with multiple user intents
3. Final URL Expansion – Smarter Routing, Better Results
Instead of sending all users to a fixed URL, Google’s AI evaluates:
- Which subpage best matches the search intent
- Which page performs better for similar queries
- How your domain structure influences UX and conversion rates
✅ Clean page structure and consistent conversion goals are key. Especially impactful for e-com setups with deep product hierarchies.
How the Features Work Together
| Function | Impact |
| Search Term Matching | More reach through broader, smarter query matching |
| Text Customization | Higher relevance with AI-generated ad content |
| Final URL Expansion | Better UX and conversion flow through smart routing |
✅ Google’s Recommendation: Use all features together to maximize results through combined effects.
AI Max in Action: What L’Oréal & MyConnect Achieved
AI Max isn’t just a buzzword — it’s already delivering real results. Google shared two early beta use cases on their blog that show just how powerful this feature set can be: L’Oréal and MyConnect. Both brands saw significant performance gains — each in their own way.
L’Oréal Chile: More Conversions, Lower Costs
L’Oréal used AI Max to expand their search reach and increase ad relevance. The outcome?
- 2× higher conversion rate
- 31% lower cost-per-conversion
One key example: By activating Search Term Matching, L’Oréal showed up for queries like “what is the best cream for facial dark spots” — a long-tail search that wouldn’t have been captured with traditional keywords.
MyConnect (Australia): More Leads, Better Quality
MyConnect — a provider for relocation and utility services — was already running Broad Match and tROAS campaigns. Still, AI Max delivered:
- +16% more leads
- −13% lower CPA
- +30% more conversions from brand-new search queries
The big win? Net-new queries — terms that weren’t covered by any keywords or creative assets before.
Takeaway: AI Max shines especially when you’re still relying on Exact or Phrase Match. It unlocks untapped potential — both in search logic and creative execution.
Control Meets Automation: How to Stay in the Driver’s Seat with AI Max
AI Max automates a lot — but it doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, Google designed it so you can still steer, monitor, and optimize with full transparency.
Here’s how to fine-tune your AI-powered campaigns:
Brand Controls
Decide exactly:
- Which brands you want to be associated with
- Which brands you don’t want to appear next to
Set at the campaign or ad group level — critical for retail or brand-sensitive industries.
Location of Interest Targeting
New with AI Max: You can target users based not only on their physical location — but on the locations they’re interested in.
Example: Someone searching for “buy an apartment in Berlin” while sitting in Hamburg? You can now reach them. Controlled at ad group level — perfect for regional or city-focused campaigns.
Asset Controls = Transparency + Flexibility
AI Max gives you more data and control over the assets it generates:
- Asset-level reports now show impressions, spend, and conversions
- You can remove AI-generated assets that don’t match your tone or brand
- URL settings let you define destination rules — even with Final URL Expansion active
Reporting Updates: Understand the AI’s Decisions
Here’s what’s new or coming soon for AI Max reporting:
| Report / Feature | What It Tells You |
| Search term reports w/ URL & headline | Which combo worked for which user intent |
| Asset performance reports (spend, conv.) | KPI visibility into ad components |
| New URL parameters | Better cross-Match-Type tracking |
These reports roll out in the Google Ads UI first — then to the Editor, Report Editor & API later in 2025.
⚠️ Heads-up: No Pre-Approval for AI-Generated Assets (Yet). Currently, AI-generated ads go live without manual review. You can remove them after the fact — but preview before publishing is not available (yet). If you’re in a highly regulated industry, stay alert and monitor closely.
AI Max vs. Performance Max vs. DSA: What’s the Right Fit?
One of the top questions: “Do I still need AI Max if I’m already using PMax or DSAs?”
Short answer: It’s not either/or — it’s complementary.
AI Max is not a replacement — it’s a precision tool for the Search layer.
Quick Comparison:
| Campaign Type | Focus | Channels | Control Level | Best Use Case |
| AI Max | AI upgrade for Search | Search only | High (keyword-based) | Boosting traditional Search with AI power |
| Performance Max | Cross-channel performance | Search, Display, YouTube… | Low (black box) | Maximum reach and multi-signal optimization |
| DSA | Dynamic URL-based targeting | Search only | Medium | Big sites with dynamic or frequently updated pages |
When Should You Use AI Max?
Think of AI Max as a Search catalyst — perfect if you:
- Rely heavily on Exact or Phrase Match and want to unlock new queries
- Want to scale without losing control (unlike PMax)
- Prefer to keep your Search setup but make it smarter
- Offer similar products with limited resources for manual copywriting
Strategic Tips for Implementation
- Use Drafts & Experiments to A/B test AI Max vs. your current setup
- Treat AI Max as a discovery engine — to find new keywords and landing pages
- Collaborate with your team on creative templates that play to AI’s strengths (e.g. CTA variations, intent-driven snippets)
Bottom Line: AI Max Isn’t a Replacement — It’s a Multiplier
And it works best exactly where traditional keyword logic starts to break down.
🚫 When AI Max Doesn’t Make Sense — and What to Watch Out For
As powerful as AI Max is, it’s not a fit for every scenario. Especially in highly regulated industries or with sensitive brand messaging, automated content creation can be risky.
❌ Scenarios That Require Extra Caution or Customization
Regulated Industries (e.g., pharma, finance, legal)
- Auto-generated creatives may cause compliance issues
- No manual review before AI-generated assets go live
- Tip: Actively monitor performance reports and use asset removal where needed
Brands With Strict Messaging & CI Guidelines
- If certain phrases or tones are off-limits, AI may miss the nuance
- No “Asset Pinning” available (unlike in classic RSAs, where you can lock headlines into specific positions)
- Solution: Align closely with your brand & performance teams
Sites With Rapidly Changing URLs or Content
- Final URL Expansion might break if your site structure isn’t stable
- Examples: Site relaunches, heavy A/B testing, frequently changing shop URLs
- Recommendation: Use URL Expansion cautiously — or disable it altogether
⚠️ Additional Considerations
- For political or medical claims, manual oversight is essential
- Clearly define conversion goals and user signals to guide AI effectively
- Don’t just flip the switch — use AI Max intentionally, with clear goals and a testing framework
Bottom line: AI Max is powerful — but not a set-it-and-forget-it tool. The more deliberate and informed your setup, the better your results. Blind automation can cost you relevance and brand control.
Final Takeaway: AI Max Isn’t Just a Feature — It’s Google’s Vision of the Future
AI Max is more than a tool. It’s a clear signal of where Google Ads is headed: more automation, more intelligence — but still with levers to steer.
If you’re running Search campaigns today, AI Max lets you:
- Tap into emerging intent signals
- Create more dynamic, personalized ads
- Expand your reach without losing control
And remember: as Paid evolves, so does Organic. AI Mode isn’t experimental anymore — it’s Google’s prototype of a new search paradigm: AI-driven, conversational, personalized.
Conclusion: AI Max doesn’t replace strategy — it amplifies it. And the earlier you start testing, the more of a head start you’ll have in a world where keywords alone just won’t cut it anymore.
FAQs About AI Max for Google Search
What is Google AI Max?
AI Max is an AI-powered feature set for Google Search campaigns that expands your keyword targeting, generates ad copy in real time, and routes users to the most relevant landing page — all driven by Google’s Gemini technology.
How do I activate AI Max in Google Ads?
You can activate AI Max with one click inside your existing Search campaign settings. Available globally in beta since May 2025, it’s expected to launch officially in Germany by late June / early July. Enable it under “AI-powered features” — each of the three core components (Search Term Matching, Text Customization, Final URL Expansion) can be toggled on or off individually.
What kind of results can I expect?
AI Max typically delivers a 14% uplift in conversions — and up to 27% in Exact/Phrase Match campaigns.
Brands like L’Oréal and MyConnect have already reported lower CPAs and significantly higher conversion rates using AI Max during the beta.
How is AI Max different from Performance Max?
AI Max is tailored for traditional Search campaigns and gives you control over keywords and structure — with AI layered in. Performance Max, on the other hand, spreads your budget across channels (Search, Display, YouTube, etc.) with a full-automation approach and no keyword control.
When should I avoid using AI Max?
Avoid AI Max if you:
- Operate in heavily regulated sectors
- Need pre-approved or legally reviewed copy
- Run websites with constantly changing URLs or unstable page structures
⚠️ Note: AI-generated assets currently go live without manual approval, which can be problematic for sensitive industries or messaging.
How does AI Max relate to Google’s AI-powered search (AI Mode)?
AI Max brings AI to your ads. AI Mode brings AI to organic search. Together, they reflect Google’s broader shift to an AI-first search experience. What you test with AI Max today gives you insight into how your brand will show up in a conversational, intent-driven search world tomorrow.👉 Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog on AI-Powered Search Trends in 2025.
