Practical Ecommerce Merchant

July 9, 2025

Today's Sponsor:

Google, Microsoft Clarify Ad Bidding

Google and Microsoft are rolling out updates to improve transparency while removing redundant (and confusing) bidding features. The first Google update concerns AI Max for Search, a focus of the company’s recent Marketing Live event.

Google, Microsoft Ad Bidding

AI Max Transparency

Google launched AI Max for Search in May. It is now available in all accounts. Using AI, Google displays ads for more queries and customizes them based on the user. The idea is to reach more potential customers.

My initial impressions of AI Max for Search are positive. I haven’t experienced many conversions in my client’s accounts, perhaps because the additional traffic is low. But I’m receiving complementary traffic instead of cannibalizing the keywords I’ve bid on. In other words, it’s not driving traffic merely to generate clicks and spend, and moreover, the ancillary traffic appears qualified.

Two new segments provide AI Max clarity. First, advertisers can segment the Keyword report by search term match type. The report displays data from AI Max as well as standard exact, phrase, and broad match.

A Message from Strategic DB

Ecommerce Migration Checklist

Strategic DB

Careful planning is key to a smooth migration from one ecommerce platform to another. Products, descriptions, customers, orders, reviews, images — all must transfer accurately. For 20 years, Strategic DB has managed successful migrations for merchants, agencies, developers. Download our all-new checklist to avoid common replatform mistakes. Download Now >

5 Content Marketing Ideas for August 2025

Content marketing in August could target students, pet owners, readers, spa enthusiasts, and value shoppers. Read article >

PIM Software Is Now a Growth Tool

Product information management tools can utilize AI to generate unique descriptions of each item, tailored to the shopper or channel. Read article >

From the Archive: December 2019

How Do You Define Ecommerce Success?

Owning and running an ecommerce business should be rewarding and satisfying. It should provide a sense of well-being, creativity, drive, and success. Unfortunately, for some business owners, it doesn’t. Read article >

📊 Ecommerce Chart

Chart: Stress factors at work

🎙️ Ecommerce Conversations Podcast

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Ecommerce to Real Estate: An Owner’s Story
Faith, Family, and Ecommerce
Don't Exit for the Wrong Reasons
Pro Tennis Player Pivots to Ecommerce

🎯 Industry IQ

Resources from our advertisers.

Essentials of Marketplace Success

Free, 30-minute streaming videos

Tariff Turmoil: How Ecommerce Brands Can Still Win

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