Google requires AI disclosure on all ads starting July 2026

Google Ads AI disclosure generative AI advertising transparency Markifact MCP

Google announced that, from July 2026, every ad shown on its Search, YouTube and Discover platforms must include a transparency label indicating whether generative‑AI tools were used to create or edit the creative. The label appears in a “How this ad was made” panel accessed via the three‑dot menu or an information icon. Ads built with Google’s own generative‑AI tools receive the label automatically; advertisers using third‑party AI (e.g., Midjourney, ChatGPT, Claude) must manually flag AI usage during campaign setup.

In jurisdictions with explicit AI‑transparency laws – the European Union, India and New York State – the disclosure may also appear directly on the ad. Google stresses that advertisers remain responsible for determining when AI usage triggers the requirement and for complying with local regulations.

Separately, Markifact launched a hosted Google Ads Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that lets marketers connect Google Ads accounts to AI assistants such as Claude and ChatGPT. The service supports reporting and approved account changes, with every modification held for human review before execution. Markifact’s offering provides a managed alternative to Google’s own open‑source MCP server, which currently supports only read‑only reporting.