Google has confirmed that it is testing healthcare-related ads in AI Mode, marking the latest expansion of advertising in the company’s AI-powered search engine.
Big picture. The test is currently limited to healthcare advertisers in the US and only applies to English-language queries in AI mode, according to Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin.
The confirmation comes after weeks of industry speculation that healthcare ads had begun appearing within AI-generated search experiences.
What Google says. In response to questions on LinkedIn, Marvin confirmed that Google is “starting a small test of ads in AI Mode for the healthcare vertical.”
He added that several campaign types are eligible to participate, including:
- Maximum performance (PMax)
- AI Max matching the search term
- Shopping campaigns
- Extensive game campaigns
The same campaign types are also eligible to serve ads on AI Overview.
Why do we care. Healthcare is one of Google’s most regulated advertising categories, making this test an important signal of how the company plans to monetize its AI-powered search experience.
If the rollout is extended, healthcare advertisers can gain access to a new source of visibility in AI mode, while advertisers in other regulated industries can get a preview of how ads will eventually appear in Google’s AI-generated results.
Fine print. Initial testing comes with creative limitations.
According to Marvin, the first category is limited to ads that don’t use branded assets or disclaimers, which narrows the pool of eligible healthcare creators.
What you can watch. Testing is currently small, but advertisers will be watching closely to see if Google expands eligibility to more health advertisers, more ad formats, and other regulated industries.
The move could also provide an early indication of how Google plans to balance monetization and user trust as AI Mode becomes a bigger part of the search experience.
First seen. Senior Strategist Ben Goldman shared that he saw a test in response to his takeover of GML 2026 on LinkedIn.
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