Google is changing how Local Inventory Ads are managed in Standard Shopping campaigns, automatically enabling them by default and replacing an existing campaign setting with a new inventory filter.
What’s happening. Google has notified advertisers that, beginning Aug. 31, Local Inventory Ads (LIAs) will be enabled by default in Shopping campaigns linked to Merchant Center accounts with the Local Inventory Ads add-on enabled.
As part of the update:
- The “Local products” setting under Other settings will be removed.
- Advertisers will instead manage Local Inventory Ads using the Inventory filter.
- The filter allows campaigns to be configured using Channel = Local or Channel = Online.
Why we care: Advertisers that currently separate budgets for online and in-store inventory could see campaign behavior change if they don’t update their settings before the deadline. Moving to the Inventory filter also centralizes how local inventory is managed, eliminating overlapping controls.
Between the lines. Google says the change is intended to remove duplicate settings that previously controlled Local Inventory Ads. By consolidating campaign management under the Inventory filter, the company is simplifying configuration while making Local Inventory Ads the default experience for eligible Shopping campaigns.
What advertisers should do. Advertisers using Shopping campaigns with Merchant Center’s Local Inventory Ads add-on should review their campaigns before Aug. 31st. Those that want separate budgets for online and local inventory should update the Inventory filter to use Channel = Local or Channel = Online as appropriate.
The bottom line. Google is removing the legacy “Local products” setting and making Local Inventory Ads the default in eligible Shopping campaigns, meaning advertisers who rely on separate local and online strategies should update their campaign settings before the August deadline.
First spotted. The change was first highlighted by PPC specialist Arpan Banerjee, who shared the notification email sent to affected Google Ads manager accounts on LinkedIn.
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