Start with the dates
This guide was checked on October 30, 2026. The changes below were announced earlier in the year; they are useful context for reviewing current settings.
Desktop anchors became more dynamic
Google's May 21 announcement expanded collapsible anchors to desktop screens wider than 1000 pixels. The control became Allow dynamic anchors. Automatic activation depended on existing collapsible-anchor and desktop-anchor settings, with a review window ending June 21.
To disable desktop anchors, Google directs publishers to Ads → Edit site → Overlay formats, clear the desktop anchor option, then apply the change.
Suggested review: open a long article on a laptop and check the space occupied by ads alongside your menu, cookie message and other fixed elements. Repeat on a phone. Keep a screenshot so later comparisons are meaningful.
Browser Back no longer triggers vignettes
Google's May 7 announcement says the browser-back vignette trigger was removed automatically from June 15, 2026. Publishers did not need to change their code for that removal.
Practical takeaway: when checking navigation, expect the Back button to return the reader normally. Do not add custom interception to recreate an old advertising behavior.
Separate observation from assumptions
If an ad looks different, first write down the page, screen size, time and relevant setting. Avoid changing several controls at once: it becomes difficult to tell which adjustment changed the experience.
Our suggested review sequence:
- Read an article from start to finish on mobile.
- Open a second article and test normal navigation.
- Repeat on desktop, paying attention to fixed elements.
- Change one relevant control if needed, then repeat.
These are usability checks, not a promise of higher revenue. Use your own observations to decide whether a format suits the reading experience you want to offer.
For newer announcements, see the October AdSense checklist.
