Brands
Google says Gemini AI cuts irrelevant ads by 40 percent
AI driven search and ad tools boost relevance and results for brands.
MUMBAI: In the never ending hunt for the right ad at the right moment, artificial intelligence may finally be sharpening the aim. Google says the integration of its multimodal AI models, Gemini, has reduced irrelevant advertisements across its platforms by 40 percent, as improved query understanding allows ads to match user intent more closely.
Speaking at a roundtable on Thursday, Google vice president of Global Ads Dan Taylor said the company has been steadily deploying Gemini powered upgrades to interpret complex search queries more accurately. “We have been making Gemini based improvements to query understanding at a rate of almost one launch per month over the last two years. As the models improve and our ability to deploy them improves, ad quality continues to get better,” Taylor said.
The improvements come as Google leans deeper into AI driven advertising tools. According to the company, 2025 saw a threefold increase in Gemini generated creative assets produced by advertisers using its AI powered ad solutions.
The company also highlighted how these tools are influencing marketing performance for brands in India.
Insurance marketplace Policybazaar recorded a 28 percent rise in health insurance sales while reducing cost per sale by 23 percent after adopting AI Max, a tool that interprets natural language search queries to improve ad targeting.
Meanwhile, hospitality platform OYO reported 50 percent higher return on ad spend (ROAS) and a 25 percent reduction in cost per acquisition after combining its existing search campaigns with Google’s Performance Max (PMax) advertising campaigns.
Taylor noted that evolving consumer behaviour is also reshaping how brands approach digital advertising. According to Google’s data, 86 percent of shoppers in India using Google Search said they were open to trying new brands or products, suggesting that AI driven discovery tools could increasingly influence purchase decisions.
Beyond advertising, Google is also investing in what it calls agentic commerce, an emerging model where AI agents autonomously assist users in discovering, comparing and purchasing products online.
“Our goal with agentic commerce is twofold, first, to remove the grunt work of shopping so consumers can focus on the fun parts; and second, to work hand in hand with the industry to build the foundations needed to make agentic commerce seamless and secure across the web,” Taylor said.
The push into AI enhanced advertising and commerce comes as Google’s core ads business continues to grow. The company recently reported $82.28 billion in advertising revenue, marking a 13.5 percent year on year increase.
For advertisers navigating an increasingly crowded digital landscape, Google is betting that smarter algorithms and sharper intent signals will make ads feel less like interruptions and more like timely suggestions.
Brands
Gomechanic expands nationwide roadside repair services
200 service bikes now live in major cities, with 300 more planned by mid-2026.
MUMBAI: Gomechanic just gave India’s roads a roadside guardian angel because when your car decides to throw a tantrum at midnight, even the best mechanic needs wheels of his own. Gomechanic, a leading player in India’s automotive service industry, has announced the nationwide expansion of its Roadside Repair Services (RSR), aiming to deliver fast, reliable and tech-enabled assistance to car owners across the country.
The service addresses critical gaps in India’s fragmented roadside assistance market by ensuring trained mechanics reach customers promptly during unexpected breakdowns. It is designed to be especially supportive for individuals driving alone or in unfamiliar areas, with a strong focus on women’s safety and trust during every interaction.
In Phase 1, Gomechanic has deployed 200 service bikes across key cities including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Amritsar, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Phase 2 will add another 300 bikes, taking coverage to all major cities by the second half of 2026.
The service offers essential support such as flat tyre assistance, battery jump-starts and fuel delivery, backed by 24×7 availability and multilingual customer support. Customers can request help through the Gomechanic mobile app or by calling the dedicated helpline 9388893888.
Gomechanic co-founder and CEO Himanshu Arora said, “Every journey in India is unique, and every car user deserves the security of knowing professional help is never far. With GoMechanic’s Roadside Repair Services, the focus is on reducing downtime during unexpected breakdowns.”
Gomechanic co-founder and COO Muskaan Kakkar added, “This is more than just a service expansion; it is about building trust and reliability for every Indian car owner.”
In a country where breakdowns don’t check the clock or the map, Gomechanic isn’t just fixing cars on the roadside, it’s giving drivers the confidence to keep moving, one reliable rescue at a time.
