Starting January 31st, you will no longer be able to add or edit your Google AdWords ads using the standard text ad format. It will only allow you to use the extended text ad format.
Google posted a reminder on Google+ saying the last day to add or edit your AdWords ads using the standard text ads format is on January 31, 2017. Google wrote:
This is a friendly reminder that starting on January 31, you’ll only be able to create and edit text ads using the expanded text ads format. You’ll no longer be able to create standard text ads. While this will be the last date to create them, existing standard text ads will continue to serve.Expanded text ads can deliver great results, particularly with a commitment to testing new creatives.
While making similar improvements to your ads, keep some best practices in mind:
1. Implement multiple versions of your ads. Aim for at least 3-5 per ad group.
2. Leave your standard text ads running. You can’t create new ones, but the old ones can still serve. Don’t delete them until they stop receiving impressions on their own or the message is no longer accurate.
3. Plan to optimize your ad rotation for clicks or conversions. These options give preference to ads that are likely to perform better.
Google began rolling out expanded text ads over six months ago. So most of you should be comfortable with the new format by now.
Forum discussion at Google+.
