What's New in Google Ads 2020
February 16, 2020
Google Change Its "Ad" Platform Fast and Often. Time to Catch up.
It’s no secret that Google is one of the most relevant companies in the world when it comes to figuring out search engine optimization and marketing. After all, there are tens of thousands of searches on Google every single second. It’s hard to downplay that kind of power/influence.
However, there are many consumers all around the world that don’t find exactly what they need. In fact, there is a significant percentage of searches these days that don’t actually lead to any clicks. Companies and organizations are trying to figure out what they need to do to attract traffic on Google and other search engines, and here are some new aspects to consider when creating and curating Google ads.
The Way They Are Displayed
Many companies are consistently trying to figure out how to make sure that their ad feels “authentic” or “organic”. It isn’t the worst mentality, especially when you consider that consumers are constantly bombarded with ads, commercials, banners, and billboards.
One important change to recognize is that desktop search results now have a more organic feel, which might mean that you should change your approach when it comes to meta descriptions and copywriting.
Understand Change History
One of the challenges with Google Ads that many marketers reported is that it was too difficult to understand why one campaign was more successful than the other. One might be able to follow metrics fairly easily - but Google Ads is now making it easier than ever to understand how a marketing campaign may have changed over time.
Specifically, it is now easier to examine change history
with respect to a campaign. This can help tremendously in terms of overall content and marketing strategies.
Smart Bidding
It’s difficult to read about business and/or entrepreneurship without running into a technological phrase like “big data” or “artificial intelligence.” After all, many believe that these trends will have a significant role in reshaping the way that we interact with each other and think about “work.” Google understands how important Google Ads is to its bottom line, so of course, the platform has had to evolve with time.
You can now smart bid on automated bid strategies that can help with your conversion rate. In this way, Google Ads is “smarter” than ever, and you can make specific decisions that will optimize bidding.
Organizations are constantly trying to figure out how to take advantage of social media platforms, because they know that consumers are potentially anywhere and everywhere. It’s one of the reasons that corporations are trying to establish a presence on Tiktok, the latest app that is growing extremely quickly in terms of monthly active users.
However, it’s important to recognize that Alphabet (the parent company of Google) has remained relevant for over two decades now, and understands the importance of changing with the times. There are companies in all sorts of sectors that rely on Google for traffic and revenue, and these features and benefits can prove integral to many marketing strategies in the 2020s and beyond.
This July, MMDC is proud to support SickKids Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding world-class pediatric care, research, and education. Through every breakthrough and every act of generosity, SickKids is helping children across Canada and around the world live healthier, happier lives.
For years, small businesses have treated social media as a necessary chore. You post a graphic, use a few hashtags, cross your fingers for likes, and hope it eventually turns into a lead. But if you are still using social media just to keep your feed "active," you are leaving serious revenue on the table. In 2026, social media is no longer an isolated echo chamber. It is the primary data source that Large Language Models (LLMs)—like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews—use to understand, verify, and recommend brands. When a prospect asks ChatGPT, "Who is the most reliable commercial HVAC contractor in Tampa?" or "What is the best local managed IT service?" , the AI doesn't just scan your website. It pulls from Reddit threads, YouTube tutorials, and LinkedIn discussions. Here is how smart brands are shifting their strategy from chasing cheap clicks to engineering AI visibility—and how you can do it, too. The Shift: From "Content Calendars" to "Signal Generation" Traditional SEO focused on stuffing keywords into website pages so Google would rank you higher. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) require a different approach. AI search engines look for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). They find this by scanning social platforms for authentic human context. Your goal is no longer just to get a user to double-tap your photo; it is to feed the algorithms the exact signals they need to cite your business as the definitive authority. The New Rule of Search: Social Media ➔ LLM Context ➔ Global Search Authority. The 2026 Playbook: Winning the Major Platforms Every platform requires a specific signal to prove your authority to search engines. 1. LinkedIn: Optimize for "Dwell Time" (Not Just Likes) LinkedIn’s algorithm—and the AI systems crawling it—heavily rewards passive reading, or "dwell time." Stop treating LinkedIn like a bulletin board for company announcements. Instead, treat every post as a high-value mini-article. Lead with a strong hook, break down a complex industry problem, and provide the exact framework you use to solve it. When executives spend two minutes reading your post without scrolling, it signals immense authority to the algorithm, establishing your leadership team as true industry experts. 2. YouTube & TikTok: Own the "How-To" Space Google’s search results now prominently feature video carousels, and AI tools constantly pull transcripts from videos to answer user questions. To capitalize on this, your spoken words must be treated as an SEO system. If your target customer is searching for "How to fix a leaking commercial roof," those exact words must be spoken in the first five seconds of your video. Pair this with highly accurate closed captions and keyword-rich descriptions. You aren't just making a video; you are building an evergreen asset that will rank in search results for years. 3. Reddit: The Ultimate Trust Signal Right now, Reddit is one of the most frequently cited domains by AI platforms. Why? Because it represents unfiltered, authentic human experience. However, brands cannot just drop promotional links in subreddits—the community will immediately reject them. The strategy here is substantive participation. By monitoring local or industry-specific subreddits and providing genuinely helpful, brand-agnostic advice, you build a digital footprint of trust that AI engines rely on when recommending solutions. Stop Guessing. Start Dominating. The landscape of search has permanently changed. Trying to manage traditional SEO, run a business, and engineer AI signals across five different social platforms is a recipe for burnout. You need a strategy that aligns your Web Design, SEO, and Social Media into one frictionless ecosystem—maximizing your visibility while removing the operational headache from your plate. At Mystic Media , we don't just post content; we architect your digital authority. Our integrated approach to AI Content Optimization, Social Media Management, and Better SEO ensures that when your customers ask the internet a question, your brand is the only answer. Ready to future-proof your digital presence? Request a Demo today or call our team at (866) 764-2877 . Let's build the digital success you deserve.
MMDC is proud to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that has transformed the fight against childhood cancer through groundbreaking research, exceptional patient care, and a promise that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
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