Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5 stories · 2 topics · 5 outlets
Answer Engines
4ChatGPT Ads Aren’t Paid Search – 5 Questions To Answer Before You Shift Budget via @sejournal, @brookeosmundson
The article lists five questions to answer before moving budget from paid search into ChatGPT Ads, arguing the format is not paid search and needs its own role, budget source and success criteria. Marketers testing ChatGPT Ads should define what the channel is for and where the money comes from before cutting spend on campaigns that already perform.
ChatGPT Ads are a tactical bet, not a platform strategy
The column overlays Statcounter browser share data with SensorTower app data and argues ChatGPT's monthly user growth has flattened since September 2025 while Gemini keeps climbing. It concludes ChatGPT Ads can still be worth buying even if ChatGPT is not the platform to build a long-term plan on. Marketers should budget ChatGPT Ads as a defined, time-boxed tactic and keep the platforms they already depend on.
Google AI Mode Tests Text Link Ads
Google is testing a text link ad format inside AI Mode where the ads look like the normal AI Mode response, using anchor-text links labeled "Sponsored" above the AI-generated answer. Marketers should expect sponsored placements to appear in the same surface as AI answers, which gives brands a paid route alongside AI citations.