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New Google Ads Performance Max report quietly reveals Search Partner sites in some accounts

Some Google Ads Performance Max accounts now surface Search Partner domains. Learn what this new placement data shows - and what remains opaque.

Minimalist analytics dashboard showing PMax clicks on unknown sites with risky and safe search partners

In February 2026, some advertisers began seeing new data in Google Ads Performance Max placement reports, including Search Partner domains. The change appears within the standard reporting interface for managing Google Ads campaigns.

Google Ads Surfaces PMax Search Partner Domains In Placement Report
Performance Max placement reports are starting to surface Search Partner domains for some advertisers.

Performance Max placement reporting exists in Google Ads as a brand safety control documented in Google's help center. The report lists where ads appeared across Google Search, YouTube, Display, Discover, and other inventory sources.

Paid media specialist Thomas Eccel highlighted the new Performance Max placement data in his accounts in a February 2026 post on LinkedIn. He reported that previously empty placement reports were now listing domains, network types, placement types, and impression counts for his campaigns. Other advertisers commenting on his post said their Performance Max placement reports still showed no data.

Where available, the placement report now surfaces detailed placement information for Performance Max campaigns:

  • It shows individual domains and app names where Performance Max ads served.
  • It includes the associated network type, such as Search Partner or Display, and the placement type.
  • It lists impressions per placement but does not break out clicks, conversions, or cost.
  • According to Google's help documentation, Search Partner Network sites began populating this report for Performance Max campaigns in March 2024.
  • Google describes the placement report as a brand safety and suitability control rather than a performance reporting tool.

Advertisers can use the placement report to identify domains and apps for inclusion or exclusion lists at the account level. Impressions from Search Partner placements still roll up into overall Performance Max campaign metrics within standard reporting views. Costs associated with Search Partner traffic in Performance Max remain aggregated and are not itemized by individual domain.

Background on Performance Max and Search Partners

Performance Max campaigns run across multiple Google properties, including Search, and can serve on the Google Search Partner Network. Historically, advertisers could not see which individual Search Partner domains delivered Performance Max impressions. Search Partner performance data for Performance Max previously appeared only as aggregated metrics within channel or campaign level reporting.

Google updated its Performance Max placement reporting documentation to mention support for Search Partner Network sites starting in March 2024. Advertisers are now observing Search Partner domains in their placement reports, in line with that help article.

Performance Max launched globally in 2021 as a goal-based campaign type that uses automation across channels. Since launch, advertisers have requested greater transparency into where ads serve within automated campaign types such as Performance Max.

Source citations

Information in this article draws on Google's official documentation and public posts from advertising practitioners. Where possible, details are verified against primary Google resources.

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