Google Ads API stops new Smart Campaigns on Aug 3 2026

The Google Ads API will no longer let advertisers create new Smart Campaigns starting August 3 2026, forcing a shift to Performance Max or other campaign formats while existing Smart Campaigns can still be edited and will continue to run [1].

End of Smart Campaign creation

Google’s announcement ties the cut‑off to a broader, years‑long migration from Smart Campaigns to its more versatile Performance Max offering. The company says the change is purely technical: the API endpoint for creating Smart Campaigns will be retired, but the same endpoint will still accept updates to campaigns already in place [1]. Advertisers who rely on automated campaign types will need to re‑configure their workflows to use Performance Max, which serves ads across Google’s search, display, YouTube, and Discover networks, or to adopt other formats such as Search or Demand Gen depending on business goals [1].

Context within the API roadmap

The restriction arrives alongside the rollout of Google Ads API version 24, a major update that introduced dozens of new fields and removed several legacy ones [2]. Version 24, released after a rapid succession of versions (v23.2 in March 2026, v23.1 in February 2026, etc.), reflects Google’s push to modernise its advertising stack. Notably, the new version adds gender exclusions for Performance Max campaigns and a view‑through conversion optimisation flag, both of which enhance the flexibility that Performance Max already provides [2]. By retiring the Smart Campaign creation endpoint, Google aligns its API surface with the capabilities highlighted in v24, encouraging developers to adopt the newer, more feature‑rich campaign types.

Implications for advertisers and the market

For agencies and tech platforms that automate campaign management, the change eliminates a low‑effort entry point that many small‑to‑mid‑size advertisers used to launch campaigns quickly. Performance Max, while more powerful, requires more detailed asset feeds and may involve higher management overhead. Competitors offering simplified campaign solutions—such as Meta’s automated ad products—could see an opportunity to attract advertisers seeking a less complex alternative [1]. At the same time, Google’s continued support for updating existing Smart Campaigns ensures that advertisers with legacy setups are not abruptly cut off, preserving revenue continuity while nudging new spend toward its flagship automated format.

What to watch

• API version adoption – Monitor how quickly developers migrate to API v24 and begin using the new Performance Max fields.
• Advertiser response – Track the volume of new Performance Max campaigns versus any residual Smart Campaign activity after the cut‑off.
• Competitive moves – Watch for announcements from other ad platforms that may promote simpler automated campaign tools to capture advertisers displaced by the change.

The August 3 2026 deadline marks the final step in Google’s phased retirement of Smart Campaigns, signalling a strategic push toward more integrated, AI‑driven campaign types. How quickly the ecosystem adapts will shape the balance between ease of use and the richer capabilities that Performance Max promises.