How Do You Turn off AI Max Final URL Expansion?
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Written by Christopher Krassnig, Founder & CEO of ZenoX Media. Answers every question here from the accounts ZenoX runs, not from theory.
The short answer
To turn off Final URL expansion in AI Max for Search, open the campaign settings, choose AI Max, and clear Final URL expansion under Asset optimization. Save the change. You can keep other AI Max features on. Our advice at ZenoX: check URL inclusions too if you need pinned ad text to serve.
Source: Google Ads Help
Which Setting Does Google Mean?
Google calls this Final URL expansion in Search. Its current Help page documents the control, but gives no release date. We checked it on 12 November 2026. This guide covers that Search setting. The Shopping beta has its own controls and limits.
What Should I Check After Saving?
Our check: write down the campaign name, the intended landing page, and the time you saved. Reopen the settings and confirm the checkbox stayed clear. Keep a screenshot with your campaign notes.
Example: a Search ad promotes a linen shirt at /products/linen-shirt. You want that page to carry the offer. Switch expansion off, then inspect the ad URL and any URL inclusion rules. Do not treat the checkbox as a full audit of every link in the account.
When Does This Fix Not Apply?
This is not a fix for a broken product link in Merchant Center. It also does not change a separate Performance Max campaign. For that campaign type, start with our Performance Max service.
Which Google Instructions Support These Steps?
Final URL expansion in Search explains the checkbox and pinned-asset caveat. Set up AI Max for Search covers the wider campaign controls.
Where Can I Check the Rest of My Setup?
Start with the Editor 2.14 checklist. Then read Track AI Max Traffic, AI Max for Shopping Beta, Write an AI Brief.
Where Can I Get Help Applying This?
For help with the account, see our Google Ads agency, Shopify Google Ads service, and Google Shopping service. To learn with other store owners, visit the Google Ads Ecom Lab on Skool.
How Do I Disable Expansion in a Search Campaign?
- 1
Choose the Campaign
Open Settings in the Campaigns menu and select the Search campaign.
- 2
Open AI Max
Open the AI Max section and find Asset optimization.
- 3
Clear the Expansion Checkbox
Uncheck Final URL expansion. Leave other settings as intended.
- 4
Save and Recheck
Save, reopen the settings, and confirm your choice.
Common Questions
- Can I Keep AI Max on with Expansion Off?
- Yes. Clear the Final URL expansion checkbox instead of turning off the whole AI Max setting.
- Does Turning off Text Customization Turn off Expansion?
- Yes. Google says turning off Text customization also turns off Final URL expansion. If you only want to stop expansion, use its own checkbox.
- Will My Pinned Ad Text Always Serve?
- Check URL inclusions too. Google says to turn off both Final URL expansion and URL inclusions to always use pinned assets.
- Should I Exclude Pages Instead?
- If you still want Google to pick landing pages, URL exclusions block the ones you do not want. They need Final URL expansion on. Our advice: list the pages you want to block first.
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