Google Display Ad Dimensions: The Most Definitive Cheat Sheet

As a marketing professional, have you ever considered promoting your brand to internet users when they’re going about their daily activities? It may seem counterproductive to target people when they’re not in ‘shopping mode’. But Google Display Ads are an effective way to catch people early in the buying process — before they even knew themselves that they wanted your product or service.

Display ads are the visual banners and box ads you see on advertising-supported sites. You’ll surely have encountered them while reading your favourite blog, showing your friends a funny YouTube clip, or simply checking your morning emails. Google Display Ads are so effective because they are strategically placed in non-intrusive locations throughout a webpage.

Why you want to make sure the dimensions of your Google Ads are correct?

To ensure your Google ad campaign is a successful one, choosing the correct dimensions for your ad is key. According to Google, its Display Network is seen by more than 90% of global internet users across 2 million sites. With such an expansive reach, it’s crucial to select the appropriate ad size for your content and message.

From the ‘Large Leaderboard’ to the ‘Mobile Banner’, it can be difficult to know which dimension is best for your marketing needs. What you require is a visual guide to truly understand where your ad will be placed on a webpage. Will your ad look best in a tall skinny box along the right side of the page? Or will a ‘Panorama’ sprawled along the bottom portion work better?

The attached infographic is an excellent tool to educate yourself on the various dimensions available. It is also a tip sheet on size limits and acceptable file formats, as Google has very specific requirements for its Display Ads. That’s why it’s so important to follow these guidelines if you want to leverage the power of the Google Display Network.

Each and Every Dimension in a single Infographic

Depending on which ad dimension you choose, the way in which you present your information will differ. Wider ad sizes tend to outperform their taller counterparts due to their reader-friendly formats. These wider dimensions allow people to comfortably read more text at a time, rather than having to return to the left margin every few words, as with a narrower ad.

If you already have an ad design in place, take a look at the infographic to determine which dimensions would be best suited for your content. The ‘Large Leaderboard’, for example, is excellent for HD materials such as animations, videos and other applications. The ‘Portrait’, on the other hand, is perfect for advertisers who want enough space for rich, engaging content. And then of course, there are times when the simple 250×250 ‘Square’ is adequate for a design with simple text and images.

Conclusion

Google Display Ads are designed to help you find the right audience — at the right place, and at the right time. By showing your message strategically to potential customers, you’ll be able to engage new audiences and grow your business. Although ad dimensions may seem like a frivolous detail, they are actually key to leveraging Google’s powerful targeting abilities.

Spend some time educating yourself on the various Google Display Ad Sizes available, and understanding the purpose that each one serves. This comprehensive infographic allows you to view every dimension all at once, so you can easily compare the advantages of each. Whether your ad will appear at the bottom of a blog article or alongside a list of YouTube videos, tailor your content accordingly to ensure maximum appeal.