Ads in AI search: where they appear and how they work
AI answers didn't remove the ads. They moved them.
Facts checked 3 Oct 2026 · by the AdSworn team
Google's Ads Help says ads can appear above, below or within AI Overviews. Above and below, they're eligible in all 200+ markets where AI Overviews run; within the overview, ads currently show in English in 12 countries including the US, Canada, Australia and India. Text and Shopping ads from existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns qualify, advertisers can't opt out, and sensitive categories such as finance, healthcare and politics are excluded.
Where the ads appear
| Placement | Availability (Google Ads Help) |
|---|---|
| Above or below the AI Overview | All 200+ markets where AI Overviews are available |
| Within the AI Overview | English, on mobile and desktop, in Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and the US |
How they're chosen
- Eligible ads: Text and Shopping ads from existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns.
- Matching: Google considers both the person's query and the content of the AI Overview.
- No opt-out: Google says advertisers can't opt out of serving ads in AI Overviews.
- Excluded: sensitive verticals such as adult, alcohol, gambling, finance, healthcare and politics.
What it means for advertisers
- Search ads now buy AI attention too. If you run Search or Performance Max, some of your ads may appear in AI answers.
- You don't choose the placement. As with any auction, the platform decides; you can't pick the exact answer your ad sits beside.
- Pages still matter. AI Overviews link to supporting websites, and the readers of those pages are reachable directly.
Buying the page instead of the answer
An auction places your ad somewhere in a stream of answers. A direct sponsorship puts it on the exact page whose readers you can see first, for a fixed price and period. The two work together: search ads for people asking right now, sponsorships for the pages they read when they're choosing. More in direct vs programmatic advertising.
| Page | Audience, last 4 weeks | Banner / 4 weeks | Featured / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The History Of The MrBeast Logohatchwise.com | 352 page views | $25 | $185 |
| The Best Freelance Marketplaces (UPDATED 2026)hatchwise.com | 104 page views | $25 | $150 |
| The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)Flocksy | 126 page views | $25 | $2,000 |
| Famous Brands And Their Historieshatchwise.com | 215 page views | $25 | $150 |
| The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone and Android (2026)Flocksy | 189 page views | $25 | – |
| The Complete History Of The SIG Sauer Logo – Logo Design Magazinelogodesign.org | 104 page views | $25 | $150 |
Straight answers
Are there ads in Google AI Overviews?
Yes. Google's Ads Help says ads can appear above, below or within AI Overviews.
Can I opt out of my ads showing in AI Overviews?
No. Google says advertisers can't opt out of serving ads in AI Overviews.
Which ads can appear in AI Overviews?
Text and Shopping ads from existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns, outside sensitive categories such as finance, healthcare and politics.