By 2026, AI is no longer a topic of debate for marketers – it’s a core driver of nearly every aspect of digital advertising and creative. Since the human brain interprets visuals much faster than written copy, video ads are gaining prominence and delivering stronger results, especially as production costs keep dropping. The conversation has shifted from whether PPC teams should use AI for video to how they can leverage it to improve outcomes, elevate creative quality, and prevent problems like hallucinations and governance gaps that can hurt performance.
Why AI adoption alone no longer guarantees PPC success
According to IAB research, nearly 90% of advertisers now rely on generative AI to create or version video ads. But simply adopting AI doesn’t automatically translate into better performance. The real separator between winning and underperforming campaigns on Google Ads—especially on YouTube—is no longer manual bid strategies. It’s the quality of the inputs you feed the algorithm.
Ad platforms have evolved from keyword-centric logic to intent-based, AI-powered recommendations. Marketers who still try to micromanage every placement are going up against systems that evaluate millions of signals every second.
Below are five best practices for applying AI in video PPC campaigns to boost performance and send richer, higher-quality signals.
1. Replace the “perfect cut” with modular asset libraries
Traditionally, PPC video production mirrored a TV workflow: write a script, shoot, edit, refine, and release a single “perfect” 30-second spot. In the Performance Max era, that model has become a disadvantage. AI-first campaign types aren’t built to thrive on just one…