New AI tools and insights to start 2026 strong

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Explore Copilot Checkout, Brand Agents, and other updates | View as a web page

January 2026

Microsoft Advertising Insider

Hi there,

The gap between "I'm interested" and "I'm buying" is shrinking, and AI is changing how shoppers decide. And this month, we launched Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents to help you make every interaction an opportunity to convert.

Copilot Checkout moves customers from discovery to purchase without friction, while Brand Agents bring your brand's voice to life on your site, guiding shoppers with AI-powered confidence.

Find out what their impact could be on your business and how to start using them in our full announcement.

See how these innovations work >

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Product updates: New ways to optimize and control

Performance Max now includes new customer acquisition goals, giving you more control to target and bid for net-new customers. Plus, enjoy added transparency with share of voice metrics, expanded search theme limits, and improved asset group imports. Content targeting for Audience ads and enhanced location targeting are also now available to help you reach the right customers in the right context.

See how to use these updates >

Success story: Priceline builds 100,000 customized ads in minutes with Copilot

Managing tailored ads for 200,000 campaigns was a challenge for Priceline—until they partnered with Microsoft Advertising. Using Copilot and Microsoft's Campaign Management API, they automated ad creation at scale, generating 100,000 customized ads in minutes instead of hundreds of hours. This AI-driven approach captured emerging searches and delivered a 10% boost in CTR, freeing teams to focus on strategy.

Follow their steps for success >

New guide: From discovery to influence in the AI era

AI-driven shopping is changing the game. SEO got you here, but AI assistants, browsers, and agents now decide what brands to recommend, requiring new strategies. Our playbook explains AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), the keys to showing up in AI-powered discovery and influencing decisions when it matters most.

Get the playbook >

Search insights: Software trends shaping global strategies

The software market is growing fast, driven by priorities like security, AI-powered solutions, and sustainability. Searches for categories like business productivity, cloud services, and AI software continue to surge, signaling where demand is headed. Explore country-specific insights to tailor your strategy to growth opportunities for 2026 and beyond.

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