Big Changes Ahead for Google Ads Developers: Say Goodbye to Community Forums
In a move that’s sure to spark debate, Google has announced it will shut down three of its long-standing Google Groups forums for advertising developers by 2026. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Google frames this as a step toward streamlining support, many developers are left wondering if this shift will stifle the community-driven problem-solving that’s been a lifeline for years.
What’s Happening?
Starting January 28, 2026, Google will stop responding to new posts in these forums. The platforms will remain online as read-only archives until later in the year, when posting will be disabled entirely. After this date, support agents will no longer engage in Google Groups. Instead, replies to existing threads will generate new email tickets with Google’s official support team. Existing content, including past discussions and solutions, will still be available for reference—but the days of real-time, community-based troubleshooting are numbered.
The Shift to Official Channels
Google claims this move is about consolidating support to “streamline technical support channels” and encourage developers to use official tools with better tracking and response workflows. Developers are now directed to these channels for assistance:
- Google Ads API: https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/support/contact
- Google Ads Scripts: https://developers.google.com/google-ads/scripts/docs/support/contact
- Campaign Manager 360 API: dcmapi-support@google.com (via the Campaign Manager 360 support team)
Why This Matters
For years, these forums have been go-to hubs for developers to ask questions, share insights, and troubleshoot issues across Google Ads API, Ads Scripts, and Campaign Manager 360 API. With their closure, developers will need to adapt to a more structured support system. This means providing detailed logs, relying on official responses, and potentially losing the spontaneity and diversity of community-driven solutions. And this is the part most people miss: while standardized support may resolve issues faster, it could also shrink the collective knowledge base that’s been built over years of open collaboration.
What Google Wants from Developers
To expedite resolutions, Google is urging developers to include comprehensive diagnostic details when filing tickets. For example:
- Google Ads API: Request ID, full request and response logs
- Ads Scripts: Script name, customer ID, execution logs, UI error messages
- CM360 API: Profile/account IDs, API method, request and response logs
- All Products: Clear issue description, expected behavior, repro steps, code snippets, and error messages
Community Still Has a Home—Sort Of
Google isn’t abandoning community engagement entirely. Developers seeking updates, events, or general discussions can join the “Google Advertising and Measurement Community” Discord server (http://goo.gle/ads-and-measurement-discord). However, this platform is not tied to official support, leaving some to wonder if it’s a true replacement for the forums.
The Bottom Line
Google’s decision to shutter its public troubleshooting forums in favor of standardized support is a double-edged sword. While it may streamline issue handling, it risks diminishing the rich, community-driven knowledge that’s been a cornerstone for developers. The question remains: Will this shift ultimately benefit advertisers, or will it leave a gap that official channels can’t fully fill?
Food for Thought
Is Google’s move a necessary step toward efficiency, or is it a missed opportunity to preserve a valuable community resource? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear how this change might impact your workflow.
Google’s Announcement: Sunsetting Google Ads API, Google Ads Scripts, and Campaign Manager 360 API Developer Support Forums on Google Groups
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About the Author
Anu Adegbola has been the Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024, covering paid search, paid social, retail media, video, and more. With a career spanning back to 2008, Anu has delivered impactful digital marketing campaigns, maximizing ROI and automating processes across agencies, clients, and marketing tech platforms. Beyond her editorial work, she’s the founder of PPC Live, a networking event, and hosts the weekly podcast PPC Live The Podcast. An international speaker, Anu has presented at events like SMX, Friends of Search, brightonSEO, and more. Connect with her on PPC Live and PPC Live The Podcast.
