Top 10 Google Display Ads Sizes You Need To Know Right Now
by Sarah Rodriguez • April 2, 2018
Having correct Google display ad sizes is essential to any online advertising campaign. Not only can the right display ad size result in higher click-through rates, but it can also make a big difference to your organization’s lead conversion goals. To get these great results though, you’ll need to study Google’s inventory and understand how each size impacts performance before you jump in and start spending money on ads.
By understanding the relationship between ad sizes and performance ahead of your next campaign, you won’t have to worry about your efforts going to waste. Instead, you can be sure that each step is efficient and 100% results-driven.
Why Use Display Advertising?
Simply put, display advertising gives your organization the power it needs to help move potential customers through the awareness stage of the marketing funnel. By using visual or text-based ads on your website and social networks, you can raise brand awareness and entice users enough to want to make a transaction on the spot — or be curious enough to come back later and reconsider.
The best part is, once you pick the correct display ad sizes that align with your campaign goals, you have endless design possibilities. You can customize your ads as much as you need to ensure that your brand’s personality and all transactional information are at the forefront.
How To Create Great Google Display Ads
1. Understand How Sizes Align With Your Goals
Before you even start the designing process, you have to understand how the different display ad sizes will impact your goals. For example, if your company specifically focuses on brand advertising, you’ll need sizes that are designed to be grand and to gain attention. If you deal primarily with mobile campaigns, then you’ll have to use the sizes that are compatible with mobile devices.
It can’t be stressed enough how important sizes are with advertising. If you pick the wrong size, the product or message you’re trying to sell can either go unnoticed or be so obnoxious that it turns customers off.
2. Follow Rules and Restrictions
Part of the display ad designing process includes making sure that you are aware of the rules and restrictions that come with advertising. For example, with Google, you’ll have to be sure that your ads are under 150 KB in file size and don’t have a white background without a border outline. Facebook even has a tiny rule of its own where ad images can only contain 20% text, including logos.
It’s vital for you to check restrictions early to prevent any wasted time. You don’t want to spend hours creating great-looking ads with your team only to get them rejected because of a small rule you overlooked!
3. Designing Your Ads
The big advantage that you have with display ads is that you can design them to not only fit your brand’s personality but also fit the compelling message or product you’re selling. With engaging imagery, a clear call to action, and colors that are coordinated to your branding, you can create a unique statement that will connect with potential customers without seeming like you’re trying too hard to get their business.
4. Test Your Ads
Display ads are just like landing pages and general text ads: you won’t know if they are fully optimized until you test them. By testing them against your existing ads, you’ll be able to track your clicks and conversions and make changes as needed. You can even take this information to help you better design ads for your next campaign!
Most Common Google Display Ad Sizes
Having the most common ad sizes on hand will help you make more efficient decisions for your online campaigns.
They include:
- 250 x 250 – Square
- 200 x 200 – Small Square
- 468 x 60 – Banner
- 728 x 90 – Leaderboard
- 300 x 250 – Inline Rectangle
- 120 x 600 – Skyscraper
- 160 x 600 – Wide Skyscraper
- 300 x 600 – Half-Page Ad
- 970 x 90 – Large Leaderboard
The Mobile Leaderboard ad (320 x 50) is the only one not available on desktops/tablets but will look great on mobile devices.
Google’s Top Performing Banner Ad Sizes
Knowing Google’s top-performing ad sizes — along with how they look and where they show up — will help streamline your design efforts.
They include:
- 1. Medium Rectangle (300 x 250)
- 2. Large Rectangle (336 x 280)
- 3. Leaderboard (728 x 90)
- 4. Half Page (300 x 600)
- 5. Large Mobile Banner (320 x 100)
It’s also important to keep in mind that your ads shouldn’t be any bigger than 150 KB in file size. Anything above this will not be approved by Google because a file takes longer to load if it is larger.
Create a Better Advertising Future
Ultimately, creating great display ads is easy once you get the basics down and understand how the different sizes align with your advertising needs. Even if there is a slight learning curve at first, it will all be worth it when you discover that your new campaign is generating more leads and clicks than you were expecting.
