Learn how to create and add ad units from Google Ad Manager to your website for effective monetization and maximum ad revenue.

🖋 By Meenakshi – AZAD Architects, Barnala

How do you add ad units to your website from Google Ad Manager?

If you are ready to monetize your website with Google Ad Manager (GAM), the first step is creating and adding ad units to your site. Ad units define where ads will appear on your web pages and what kind of ads will be served. With Google Ad Manager, you gain more control over inventory, targeting, and performance compared to basic solutions like AdSense. In this guide, we will walk you through the entire process — from creating ad units in GAM to implementing them on your website — so you can start generating ad revenue efficiently and professionally.

What Are Ad Units in Google Ad Manager?

Understand what ad units are, how they work, and why they’re essential for monetizing your website effectively.

• Ad units in Google Ad Manager are placeholders that define where ads will appear on your website or app.

• Each ad unit acts as a container that tells GAM what size, format, and type of ad to serve in that spot.

• They are part of your ad inventory structure and must be created before you can run campaigns or serve ads.

• You can assign names, sizes, and targeting criteria to each ad unit for better control and reporting.

• Ad units allow you to:

• Serve different ad formats (e.g., display, video, native).
  

• Manage specific placements across pages or devices (desktop, mobile, tablet).
  

• Track performance of individual placements through detailed reporting.
  

• Google Ad Manager uses ad units to match demand sources (like AdSense, Ad Exchange, or direct deals) to your inventory.

• They are essential for monetization, as they enable advertisers to bid on clearly defined, measurable spaces on your site.

• Proper setup of ad units ensures better ad targeting, higher CPMs, and improved fill rates.

• You can create multiple ad units for different parts of your site (e.g., header, sidebar, in-content, footer).

• Each ad unit is linked to a unique ad tag (JavaScript code) that you embed in your website to display ads.

How to Create an Ad Unit in Google Ad Manager

Step-by-step instructions to create ad units inside your GAM account, including ad sizes, placements, and targeting.

✅ 1. Log into Google Ad Manager

• Go to https://admanager.google.com and sign in with your Google account.

• Ensure you have administrator or trafficking permissions to create ad units.

✅ 2. Navigate to Inventory > Ad Units

• From the left-hand menu, click on Inventory, then select Ad Units.

• Click the "New ad unit" button to start creating a new placement.

✅ 3. Define the Ad Unit Name and Code

• Enter a unique ad unit name (for your reference).

• The ad unit code is auto-generated and used when embedding the ad on your site.

✅ 4. Set the Size and Format

• Choose one or more ad sizes (e.g., 300x250, 728x90, responsive).

• Optionally, select video or native formats if applicable.

• You can use size mappings for responsive or multi-device layouts.

✅ 5. Configure Targeting Options

• Add targeting labels, such as custom key-values, to allow for advanced audience segmentation.

• These help advertisers serve more relevant ads based on user behavior or page content.

✅ 6. Add Placement (Optional)

• Group ad units into placements if you want to sell them as a package (e.g., "All sidebar ads").

• Useful for direct deals or large-scale inventory grouping.

✅ 7. Save the Ad Unit

• Review all details and click "Save".

• Your new ad unit is now available and can be trafficked via line items or served via Ad Exchange.

How to Generate Ad Tags and Place Them on Your Website

Learn how to get the correct ad code and insert it into your site’s HTML or CMS platform like WordPress or Blogger.

✅ 1. Access the Ad Tag Generator in Google Ad Manager

• Go to Inventory > Ad Units, then click on the ad unit you created.

• At the top right of the ad unit details page, click “Tags” or “Generate Tags”.

✅ 2. Choose Tag Type

• Select the tag type based on your needs:

• Google Publisher Tag (GPT) – recommended for display ads on websites.
  

• AMP tag – if using Accelerated Mobile Pages.
  

• Mobile App tags – for app integration (via SDK).
  

• For standard websites, GPT tags are most common.

✅ 3. Configure Tag Options

• Choose whether the ad will collapse if empty, support single-request mode, or load asynchronously.

• Select responsive settings if the ad unit supports different sizes per device.

✅ 4. Copy the Ad Code

• Once the configuration is done, copy the generated ad tag code.

• This code includes JavaScript and a div container for the specific ad unit.

✅ 5. Insert the Code into Your Website

• Paste the code into your website’s HTML source where you want the ad to appear:

• In a static HTML site, insert the code manually.
  

• In WordPress, use:
  

•  A custom HTML block in Gutenberg.
  

•  A theme file (e.g., sidebar.php) if placing in the template.
  

•  An ad management plugin for dynamic placements.
  

• In Blogger, add it via a HTML/JavaScript gadget in the Layout section.
  

✅ 6. Test the Ad Placement

• Visit the page where you added the code and refresh the page.

• Ensure the ad space loads properly and is visible.

• Use Google Publisher Console (Ctrl+F10) to troubleshoot if needed.

Best Practices to Optimize Ad Unit Performance

Tips to ensure your ad units perform well, including viewability, responsive design, placement strategies, and loading speed.

✅ 1. Improve Viewability

• Place ad units above the fold where users are most likely to see them without scrolling.

• Use sticky ads (e.g., floating banners) for consistent visibility on scroll.

• Avoid placing ads in low-engagement areas like footers or near exit buttons.

✅ 2. Use Responsive Ad Units

• Enable responsive ad sizing to ensure ads adjust to screen size and layout.

• This improves user experience across devices and increases fill rates.

• Use size mapping in Google Ad Manager for device-specific control.

✅ 3. Choose High-Performing Sizes

• Prioritize standard sizes like 300x250, 336x280, 728x90, 160x600, and 300x600.

• These sizes are in high demand and often deliver better CPMs.

• Consider native and video ad formats for additional monetization opportunities.

✅ 4. Optimize Ad Placement

• Place ads within content or after the first paragraph for better engagement.

• Use in-article or in-feed placements to blend seamlessly with content.

• Limit ads per page to avoid user fatigue or policy violations.

✅ 5. Speed Up Page Load Time

• Use asynchronous ad tags to prevent ads from blocking page load.

• Avoid too many heavy scripts that slow down performance.

• Optimize images, enable lazy loading, and reduce unnecessary code.

✅ 6. Monitor Performance Regularly

• Use Google Ad Manager reports to track viewability, click-through rates (CTR), and revenue per ad unit.

• Identify underperforming units and adjust placements or formats accordingly.

✅ 7. A/B Test Ad Strategies

• Experiment with different positions, styles, and sizes to determine what works best.

• Test with different devices and user segments for precise optimization.

 📌 Thank you!

Follow Finance (AZAD Architect, Barnala) for practical tips from an architect, blogger, technical expert, and financer's lens.

Finance (Azad Architects, Barnala)