According to PPC News Feed, from 4 December 2026 image extraction is on by default in new Performance Max campaigns, in the interface, API and Google Ads Editor, even if Dynamic Image Extensions are off at account level. Google’s AI scans landing pages for high-resolution images for creatives. Existing campaigns keep their settings. Management is at campaign level.
What image extraction is
According to the report, Google’s AI scans the landing pages you supplied for high-resolution images, to improve the campaign’s creative assets. This widens reach to Search, YouTube, Display, Discover, Gmail and Maps, the channels where Performance Max may show ads.
In simple terms: if you haven’t uploaded enough images, or even if you have, the system may use images from your site, extracted automatically, to assemble ads. The advantage is more creative material; the risk is using images you didn’t choose.
What changes on 4 December
From 4 December 2026, the feature is on by default in new Performance Max campaigns, in the interface as well as the API and Editor. The relevant point, according to the report, is that it applies even if Dynamic Image Extensions are off at account level: before, the campaign inherited the account setting; now, the decision lies with the campaign.
Existing campaigns keep current settings. Whoever programs via the API and doesn’t want the feature in new campaigns must explicitly set OPTED_OUT in the asset_automation_settings field. The article doesn’t describe interface steps.
Image extraction in Performance Max
What it does
- AI scans landing pages
- Looks for high-resolution images
- Widens reach across several channels
What to do
- Clean old images from the site
- Decide: on, off or test
- Check assets used every week
Why this matters in the Christmas season
The date falls a few days before the Christmas shopping peak, and many shops launch new campaigns in December. A new campaign created after 4 December will have extraction on by default, if nobody turns it off. If the site has outdated, low-quality, sold-out product or text-overlaid images, the system may use them.
For those creating campaigns in the week of 4 December, have a rule: check this field before launching. It’s one minute of work that avoids surprises.
The risks for a Portuguese shop
Extracted images may include old prices, expired discount badges, English text, photographs of products you no longer sell, stock images you can’t use in advertising or photographs with people whose image rights aren’t covered for ads. In Portugal, image rights and advertising rules on prices and discounts apply to what you show.
The report mentions no risks, but these are concrete examples of situations to check. Whoever controls the site should know which images are accessible on pages used in ads.
What's on by default should be checked by you.
How to prepare: clean up landing pages
Review the pages you use as destinations: remove obsolete images, with past prices or dates, and replace them with current versions. Ensure product images have good resolution, clean background and correct file name and alt text. Avoid text overlaid on images.
This clean-up serves any automatic system and also improves the site for people. It’s an investment that doesn’t depend on a single feature.
How to decide: on, off or test
On makes sense if the site has good, current images and you want more creative variety. Off makes sense if the site has doubtful images, if the sector is regulated or if you want full control. Test makes sense if you want to know: create two identical campaigns, with and without extraction, and compare real cost per result.
Whatever the choice, write it down: what the decision is, who made it, when. In December, with the pace accelerating, it’s easy to forget what was agreed.
Checking what the system used
After launching, look at the campaign’s asset reports and the published ads: which images appear? Is any inappropriate? Remove or exclude assets you don’t want. Do the same in existing campaigns, to see which automatically created assets are in use.
A weekly check, during the first month, gives you security. It’s the same logic that applies to Meta’s and ChatGPT Ads’ AI features: what’s on by default should be checked by you.
Questions for your manager
Will we launch new Performance Max campaigns after 4 December? Which setting do we choose for image extraction? Who checks the images used? How will we avoid obsolete or rights-free-less images? And which existing campaigns should be reviewed?
A good manager has a calendar of platform changes and a checklist. If you wish, I can review your account and Christmas plan with you, with attention to these novelties.
Frequently asked questions
Do my existing campaigns change on 4 December?
According to the report, no: existing campaigns keep current settings. The change applies to new Performance Max campaigns.
How do I turn off extraction?
At campaign level. In the API, set OPTED_OUT in the asset_automation_settings field. The report doesn’t describe interface steps; confirm in Google Ads Help.
Is it a bad feature?
Not necessarily. It gives more creative material but takes control. Decide based on your site’s images and your sector.