Google’s AI Max has pushed up search budgets – and costs

May 6, 2026

Google’s AI Max has pushed up search budgets – and costs

In the 12 months since Google debuted AI Max for Search, brands have increased their search budgets and seen cost-per-clicks (CPCs) rise, while compounding search’s transition into a media channel ruled by automation. For some clients, search costs increased by as much as 15% in the last year, according to four media buyers who spoke

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Published by digiday.com