Text, image, and video – oh my!
When it comes to Google ad formats, those are just the beginning. Google offers several different ad formats, and each offers its own benefits, from visual storytelling to quick-hit information. Many campaigns benefit from using a variety of ad formats.
Not sure which ones to use? Read on. We provide an overview of all the Google Ad formats you have at your disposal.
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8 Google Ad Formats You Need to Know
There are several Google ad formats, including:
- Text ads
- Image ads
- Video ads
- Responsive ads
- Product Shopping ads
- Showcase Shopping ads
- Call-only ads
- App promotion ads
We explain each of these in more detail below.
1. Text ads
Text ads are just what you’d expect them to be: ads that only have words, or text, in them. These are the easiest ads to get started with, and appear at the top and bottom of Google’s search results. At their most basic, a standard Google Ads text ad is made up of headline text, a display URL, and description text. You can make your text ads stand out with extensions that provide additional information, like sitelinks and your business address.
2. Image ads
Image ads can include static graphics or interactive .gif and flash images in a variety of sizes. Thanks to their visual format, image ads are more likely to catch a user’s eye and help you show your product or service in action. If an advertiser chooses to run ads in image formats, Google will show them on the Google Display Network, which includes over 2 billions websites and apps.
3. Video ads
Video ads include videos. This Google ad format can appear on YouTube, as well as other websites and apps as part of a Google Display campaign. Video ads may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of other video content. They can be skippable or non-skippable, and take many shapes and sizes.
4. Responsive ads
Responsive ads automatically change their size and format to fit the website they’re appearing on. They can even change their color and formatting to blend in, giving them the feel of a native ad. Responsive ads appear as text or image ads throughout the Google Display Network. They might be square or rectangular, or appear at the top, middle, or side of a website. When you create a responsive ad, you’ll upload multiple variations of your headline, description, images, and logos so Google can create combinations for you.
5. Product Shopping ads
Product Shopping ads can be created with Google Shopping campaigns. This ad format appears in Google Search, Google Image Search, and Google Shopping. Product Shopping ads include a product image, title, price, and a link to your store. You can also add more information like current promotions, product ratings, and customer reviews. With visual and pricing information, Product Shopping ads are designed to drive shoppers to purchase.
6. Showcase Shopping ads
Showcase Shopping ads allow you to showcase (pun intended) multiple products at once. These ads are intended for shoppers who are looking to decide on a retailer, as opposed to an individual product. They want to browse and see related products. This ad format is great for introducing people to your brand or a product line. Showcase Shopping ads appear in Google Search, Google Shopping, and more.
7. Call-only ads
Call-only ads have a similar appearance to text ads, but the focus is on your business phone number. When people click on the ad, it triggers a phone call directly to your business, driving leads and business. Call ads appear in Google Search, but only on devices that can make phone calls.
8. App promotion ads
App promotion ads are designed to get people to download and interact with your app, with links that take them straight to the app store or your app. App ads appear in Google Search, the Google Play store, and throughout the Google Display Network. Similar to responsive ads, you provide Google with headlines, descriptions, images, and videos about your app. Then Google combines these assets with information from your app store listing to create and display your ads in different formats.
Get Started with Google Ads
If the list above is any indication, the world is your oyster when it comes to running Google Ads. Let our paid advertising pros pinpoint the types of campaigns and ad formats that will help your business succeed. From Google Shopping to Search, we know what works.
