Austin LeClear says Google will keep pushing YouTube ads in 2026, especially through Performance Max campaigns that now auto-include video. His team has generated over $50 million in client revenue via Performance Max, but he argues YouTube ads aren't right for every advertiser.
Here are my predictions for Google Ads in 2026. Google will continue to push on video ads, so do not be surprised in 2026 when Google or your Google rep continues to talk about YouTube Ads, YouTube Shorts, and how it's the greatest thing in the world. If you listen to Google's quarterly earnings reports, they talk about the growth of YouTube advertising dollars. So I'm never surprised, like when Performance Max came out and they forced a video on you within the campaign that happened. If you you just listen to how Google talks to shareholders, you know, sometimes where they're going to start trying to get increases in YouTube ad dollars has been a place they've been focused on for many years. That does not mean YouTube ads are bad. I just do not believe every advertiser should be using YouTube ads. We have generated over $50 million in revenue for our clients using Performance Max campaigns. We decided we're going to download our knowledge of Performance Max campaigns into a free, easy, practical course and give it away to the community. Comment PMAX below and I'll send you the free PMAX course directly to your DMs. Go grab this free course and I'll see you inside.
Google Ads Negative Keywords: The RIGHT Way to Find and Add Negatives in 2026
