Google

Google Ads fixing Discovery campaign technical issue

Google Ads has confirmed a technical issue that is impacting Discovery campaigns.

The platform is in the process of trying to resolve the error, which is causing some account-level site and app category exclusions to prevent the delivery of Discovery ads to Google properties such as Gmail.

A spokesperson explained that these exclusions “aren’t intended to apply to Google properties”.

The notification from Google Ads was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by digital advertising expert, Menachem Ani:

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Why we care. Discovery campaigns maximise results by delivering ads to YouTube, Gmail, and the Discover feed. If an error is preventing the tool from delivering ads to Google properties, it will negatively impact reach, which will subsequently affect conversion and ROI.

When will the problem be fixed? Google Ads has not yet shared when a fix can be expected, however, we’ll be keeping an eye on things.

Deep dive. Read Google’s Excluding Placements at Account Level guide for more information.

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Editorial disclosure

Contributing authors are chosen for their expertise and work under the oversight of the editorial staff. Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. The contributor was not asked to mention Semrush; the opinions expressed are their own.

About the author

Nicola Agius

Director of SEO and Discover, Reach PLC

Nicola Agius is the Director of SEo and Discover at Reach PLC. Previously, she was Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land from 2023-2024. She covered paid media, retail media and more. Before this, she was SEO Director at Jungle Creations (2020-2023), overseeing the company's editorial strategy for multiple websites. She has over 15 years of experience in journalism and has previously worked at OK! Magazine (2010-2014), Mail Online (2014-2015), Mirror (2015-2017), Digital Spy (2017-2018) and The Sun (2018-2020). She also previously teamed up with SEO agency Blue Array to co-author Amazon bestselling book Mastering In-House SEO.