TL;DR Summary:
PMax Partner Control: Google tests feature letting advertisers select search or display networks for Performance Max campaigns.Key Network Options: Choose search partners like AOL and Amazon or vast Google Display Network for targeted ad placements.Major Shift Ahead: Ends all-or-nothing approach, boosting transparency and budget efficiency based on performance data.Can I choose which partners run my Google Ads Performance Max campaigns?
Yes, you soon might have that control. Google is testing a new feature that lets advertisers pick where their Performance Max ads appear across partner networks.
Google Ads PMax Select Partners Feature Goes Live in Testing
Google rolled out a limited test on April 30, 2026, allowing some advertisers to choose their preferred partner networks within Performance Max campaigns. The feature appears under “Partners in Alfa” in the campaign settings.
Adriaan Dekker spotted the test on LinkedIn, crediting Renaldo Spin with the initial discovery. The new setting shows two clear options:
- Search partners: Hundreds of non-Google websites
- Google Display Network: More than 2 million websites and apps
This marks a significant shift from Performance Max’s typical “all or nothing” approach to ad placements.
How the New Google Ads PMax Select Partners Control Works
The interface presents a straightforward choice. You select which partner networks you want your ads to appear on. Previously, Performance Max automatically placed your ads across all available Google properties and partner sites.
The translated screenshot shows clean toggle options. You choose search partners, display network partners, or both. Each option includes a brief description of what you’re selecting.
This granular control builds on Google’s recent introduction of full channel reporting for Performance Max campaigns. Now you get both visibility into where your ads run and some control over those placements.
What Search Partners and Display Network Selection Means for Advertisers
Search partners include sites like AOL, Amazon, and hundreds of smaller search engines. When someone searches on these sites, your ads might appear alongside the results. These placements often perform similarly to Google Search but with different audience behaviors.
The Google Display Network covers a massive range of websites and mobile apps. Your ads appear as banners, text, or video ads within content. Display typically works better for awareness and remarketing than direct response.
The ability to separate these networks gives you budget control. You might discover search partners drive better conversions while display network placements work better for reaching new audiences.
Why Google is Testing Partner Selection in Performance Max
Performance Max campaigns have faced criticism for limited transparency. Advertisers complained about not knowing where their ads appeared or being able to exclude poor-performing placements.
Google’s full channel reporting addressed the visibility issue. This new partner selection feature tackles the control problem.
The test likely responds to advertiser feedback about wasted spend on irrelevant placements. Some businesses see better results from search-focused placements, while others benefit from the broader reach of display advertising.
Measuring Performance Across Different Partner Networks
When you gain the ability to select partner networks, you need reliable data to make smart choices. The wrong measurement setup means flying blind on which partners actually drive results.
Measuremate helps you track performance differences between search partners and display network placements through comprehensive GA4 audits and attribution analysis. With proper measurement in place, you’ll have the data needed to optimize your partner selection strategy when this feature becomes widely available. Learn more about setting up bulletproof conversion tracking with Measuremate.
