Google announced the launch of new automated extensions for shopping ads (PLAs). This is in reaction to advertisers promoting text to highlight special offers and free shipping.

The extensions automatically show up with the ads without any extra cost to the advertiser, using existing info provided in the Merchant Center settings and data feeds. They show free shipping and price drop info as shoppers come across the ads.

“Based on initial results, we’re seeing shoppers prefer these new automated extensions over promotional text and advertisers are getting better click through rates with it too,” says product manager Tom Beyer. “Thus, we’ll be retiring promotional text at the end of September 2015 and start surfacing automated extensions more frequently instead.”

“For those who use promotional text, no additional action is needed,” he adds. “Your ads won’t be otherwise affected and will continue to reach shoppers searching on Google. If you want to highlight other offers aside from free shipping and sale prices, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of our other shopping extensions.”

These include Merchant promotions for sharing discounts/promo codes, product ratings for displaying aggregated star ratings/links to customer reviews, and Trusted Stores certification.

The extension’s availability varies by country.

Image via AdWords