In a groundbreaking move, Google has launched its cutting-edge AI-driven marketing tools in India, following the repeal of the controversial 'Google tax.' This suite of innovative solutions made its debut in the U.S. back in May, but now the South Asian market is taking center stage as global tech companies scramble to cash in on online advertising.

The Indian government's decision to eliminate the 6% tax on digital advertisements, effective April, has sweetened the deal for tech giants. This repeal comes in response to trade complaints from the Trump administration, which slammed the tax as 'discriminatory and unreasonable,' placing domestic companies at an advantage.

To celebrate this milestone, Google hosted a local version of its highly-anticipated Marketing Live event to introduce Indian marketers to its suite of AI tools.

Among the game-changing features is 'Generated for You,' embedded within Product Studio, which automatically identifies prime content opportunities from shopping catalogs, generating eye-catching images and videos using AI. Marketers can effortlessly save or share this content across Google’s platforms.

Another standout feature is Smart Bidding Exploration, an opt-in option designed to help marketers discover potentially lucrative leads they might normally overlook. By harnessing the power of AI, this tool promises to elevate the performance of search campaigns.

Dan Taylor, Google’s Vice President for Global Ads, expressed enthusiasm for the new agentic tools in Google Ads and Analytics. 'These tools adapt based on advertising inputs, such as datasets and real-time campaign performance, eliminating the guesswork often associated with reaching business goals,' he explained during a virtual media roundtable.

Adding fuel to the fire, Google unveiled AI Max for Search Campaigns, a game-changing feature that enhances search ad performance by analyzing high-performing queries from brands’ landing pages and existing ads.

One notable success story comes from Cashify, India’s online marketplace for used electronics, which reported a 15% boost in conversions and a 12% reduction in customer acquisition costs after implementing AI Max in their early experiments.

But that’s not all! Google is rolling out ads on AI Overviews in India later this year and is introducing shoppable ads on YouTube connected TVs. With a surge in popularity, YouTube's masthead on mobile will soon serve ads tailored for Indian consumers.

According to Roma Datta Chobey, managing director of Digital Native Industries at Google India, YouTube has become the most-watched streaming service on television in India over the past year. Furthermore, YouTube Shorts has rapidly gained traction, with videos on the platform being viewed trillions of times since launch; a staggering 87% of Indian consumers integrate YouTube or Shorts into their shopping journeys.

As one of the world’s largest internet markets continues to expand, India is witnessing explosive growth in digital advertising. A recent Dentsu Digital Advertising report projects the market to surge over 20% year-on-year, potentially nearing $7 billion by 2025.

Chobey emphasized the vibrant digital ecosystem in India: 'We have the largest number of users actively trying and testing our products, which is why we’re bringing these innovations to India faster than anywhere else.'

Google has confirmed that its newly released features, including AI Max for Search Campaigns and Smart Bidding Exploration, now support Hindi, enhancing local campaign compatibility. Additionally, new state-level filters for urban and rural audiences will empower Indian advertisers with more precise media planning and reporting.