Google adds location targeting controls to Demand Gen campaigns

Google Ads is rolling out new location targeting options for Demand Gen campaigns, bringing them in line with controls already available in Search.

What’s new. Advertisers can now explicitly choose between Presence or interest and Presence only when setting up Demand Gen campaigns. The option is available directly in the campaign interface, eliminating the need for manual exclusions.

Why we care. Until now, advertisers running Demand Gen had limited precision over geo-targeting. By making “presence only” targeting native to the campaign setup, Google removes a common workaround and the risk of accidental geo-leakage. The result is cleaner traffic, more accurate measurement, and more confidence in upper-funnel Demand Gen performance.

The big picture. Demand Gen is designed for upper- and mid-funnel reach across YouTube, Discover, and Gmail. Adding clearer location controls gives advertisers more confidence that impressions and clicks are coming from users actually located in their target markets.

First seen. This update was spotted by Google Ads specialist Marcin Wsół on LinkedIn.

The bottom line. With proper location targeting now built in, Demand Gen campaigns are easier to set up, easier to control, and less likely to waste budget outside intended geographies.