Google Launches AI Disclosure Labels for Digital Advertisements

Google announced on July 9, 2026, the rollout of a transparency feature called "How this ad was made" across Google Search, YouTube, and Google Discover. The tool is accessible globally via the My Ad Center panel, where users can determine if an advertisement was created or edited using generative AI.

For ads produced using internal tools, such as AI Max or Performance Max, the company automatically applies the AI label. Advertisers using third-party AI platforms must manually toggle a disclosure switch, as the company will not independently verify these claims. In specific markets, labels may appear directly on the ads to comply with local laws, including the EU AI Act and regulations in India and New York.

This initiative expands upon previous requirements from 2023 and 2024 regarding synthetic content in election and political ads. The company continues to use SynthID as part of its transparency efforts. Keerat Sharma, Vice President and General Manager of advertisements Privacy and Safety, announced the feature in an official blog post, noting that existing policies prohibiting misleading and deceptive ads remain in effect regardless of the technology used.