Marketing Tech Weekly — 2026-09-03
This week, Google begins the automatic migration of Dynamic Search Ads to AI Max, while TikTok introduces new Collage Carousel formats for Q2 2026. In tooling, InboxAlly launches a new Email Deliverability Hub with free tools, and Kana emerges from stealth with $15M in funding to build AI marketing agents.
Marketing Tech Weekly — 2026-09-03
Ad Platform Updates
Google Ads: Automatic Upgrade of DSA to AI Max
- What changed: Starting in September, campaigns using Dynamic Search Ads (DSA), automatically created assets (ACA), and campaign-level broad match settings will be automatically upgraded to AI Max.
- Who's affected: Advertisers using Dynamic Search Ads or broad match strategies in Google Search campaigns.
- What to do: Review campaign structures and asset groups before the automatic upgrade takes effect to ensure alignment with AI Max best practices.

TikTok: New Collage Carousel Format
- What changed: TikTok introduced "Collage Carousel," a new ad format featuring one hero image and three additional product visuals in the first frame. Each image is clickable and links directly to product detail pages.
- Who's affected: Brands and advertisers using TikTok Shopping ads.
- What to do: Update creative assets to include multi-product visuals in the first frame to leverage the new Collage Carousel format.

Digital Marketing Updates: September 2026 Overview
- What changed: Recent updates include new AI-generated content rules, a decline in Reddit citations on ChatGPT, Google Display moving to DemandGen, and Meta AI working with Meta Ads.
- Who's affected: SEO specialists, paid media buyers, and content strategists.
- What to do: Monitor changes in AI search citation patterns and adjust display advertising strategies to align with DemandGen transitions.
New Tools & Launches
InboxAlly Email Deliverability Hub
- Category: Email Marketing / Deliverability
- What it does: Combines a reputation-improvement platform with a suite of 11 free tools for email deliverability.
- Why it matters: Provides accessible tools for brands to monitor and improve email sender reputation without immediate high-cost commitments.
- Pricing: Includes free tools; platform pricing undisclosed.

Kana AI Marketing Agents
- Category: AI Automation / MarTech
- What it does: Builds customizable, agent-based marketing tools.
- Why it matters: Founded by the creators of Rapt and Krux, Kana aims to provide flexible AI agents for marketers, moving beyond rigid automation platforms.
- Pricing: Undisclosed; company raised $15M.

Growth Playbook
- Vibe Marketing for Lean Teams: New insights highlight how AI helps lean teams launch faster, test smarter, and win customers with less waste by adopting "vibe marketing" principles.
- Email Deliverability & Trust-First Tactics: September 2026 trends emphasize boosting opens and clicks through stronger deliverability and trust-first tactics, rather than just volume-based sending.
Industry Moves
- Kana Funding: Kana, an AI marketing startup, emerged from stealth with $15 million in funding to build flexible AI agents for marketers.
What to Watch Next Week
- Google AI Max Migration: Advertisers should monitor performance metrics closely as DSA campaigns begin their automatic migration to AI Max throughout September.
- MarTech Conference Online: Senior-level marketers are gathering online on September 2 for the MarTech Conference to discuss emerging professional experiences.
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