Google's June 2026 Demand Gen Drop: New Gemini AI Tools, Video Resizing & Display Migration

Expanded Video Resizing Options (AI Aspect Ratio Conversion)

Demand Gen now supports broader aspect ratio transformations powered by AI, allowing automatic conversion between additional formats without manual re-editing . Video content can now be resized in the following ways:

• Vertical (9:16) → Square (1:1)
• Vertical (9:16) → Landscape (16:9)
• Square (1:1) → Landscape (16:9)

This lets advertisers adapt a single video creative for YouTube Shorts, in-stream placements, and Discover without producing multiple versions manually . Google says the update is intended to make it easier to optimize ads and capture conversions across all screens .

Web-to-App Install Measurement

A new Web to App Acquisition Measurement tool was added to track how Demand Gen campaigns drive app installs . It connects web-based ad interactions (such as clicks and views on YouTube, Discover, and Gmail) to downstream app install events, giving advertisers a unified view of cross-surface conversion paths . The feature is now available to all advertisers .

Display-to-Demand Gen Migration: Timeline & Key Details

The most significant structural update is the retirement of standalone Google Display Ads campaigns. All Google Display Network (GDN) inventory will be consolidated into Demand Gen campaigns .

Key dates from Google's official communications:

• June 2026 — Phased rollout of the voluntary migration tool begins. Eligible advertisers can start moving existing Display campaigns using a tool inside their Google Ads account .
• Coming later (no earlier than 2027) — New Display campaigns can only be created within Demand Gen. Remaining eligible standalone Display campaigns will be automatically migrated .
• By January 2027 — Standalone Display campaigns are fully retired; all Google Display Network inventory is managed through Demand Gen .

What happens to migrated campaigns?

Google states that migrated campaigns retain recent performance history dating back up to 42 days, which helps reduce the learning phase to approximately one to two days and avoids a cold start . Budgets, targeting settings, and recent performance data carry over . During migration, GDN is opted in by default and cannot be deselected .

Google's recommended path is to use the migration tool rather than rebuilding Display campaigns manually .