Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Daily SEO and Google Ads Updates: June 2026
**Google Ads** is introducing Conversion Value Bidding for Standard Shopping campaigns and launching hosted lead forms for select advertisers. New security roles have been added to Google Merchant Center for Agencies to enhance user access control. Additionally, the creation of Smart Campaigns via the Google Ads API will be discontinued after August 3, 2026, as Google shifts focus to Performance Max campaigns. The June 2026 spam update has also significantly impacted search results.
Optimixed’s Overview: Essential Google Ads and SEO Developments Affecting Digital Marketers in Mid-2026
Google Ads Enhancements and API Changes
Google is actively evolving its ads ecosystem to provide better bidding strategies and streamline campaign management:
- Conversion Value Bidding for Standard Shopping: Advertisers can now opt for “Maximize conversion value” bidding within Standard Shopping campaigns, optimizing spend towards higher-value conversions.
- Discontinuation of Smart Campaign Creation via API: From August 3, 2026, Smart Campaign creation through the Google Ads API will no longer be supported, reflecting Google’s push towards Performance Max campaigns.
- Google-hosted Lead Forms: This new feature is rolling out to some advertisers, simplifying lead generation directly within Google Ads accounts.
Security and User Access Updates
Google Merchant Center for Agencies now includes enhanced security controls focused on user roles:
- Introduction of more granular admin and standard user roles to improve workflow efficiency and protect sensitive data.
Google Business Profile Messaging Returns
The messaging feature has been reintroduced within the Google Business Profile dashboard, allowing businesses to more effectively engage with customers via Google Search.
Impactful SEO and Search Industry News
- The June 2026 spam update by Google has been notable for its early rollout and significant effect on search rankings, emphasizing the need for clean, high-quality content.
- Industry discussions highlight the evolving role of AI in search visibility, SEO’s influence on AI citations, and foundational best practices for website usefulness across emerging agentic browsers.
