Explore the wide range of ad formats supported by Google Ad Manager, from display to video and native ads.
🖋 By Meenakshi – AZAD Architects, Barnala
What types of ads can you serve with Google Ad Manager?
Google Ad Manager is a robust ad serving platform that supports a diverse range of ad formats, allowing publishers to monetize their content across web, mobile, and video. Whether you are running a blog, a news portal, a mobile app, or a video platform, GAM offers flexible ad delivery tailored to your audience and layout. Understanding the types of ads you can serve with Google Ad Manager helps you choose the right formats for higher engagement and revenue.
In this blog, we will explore the various ad types supported and how each can benefit your monetization strategy.
✅ Display Ads – The Foundation of Web Monetization
• Standard Ad Units Across the Web:
Display ads are the most widely used format in digital advertising, consisting of image-based banners in standard sizes like 728x90 (Leaderboard), 300x250 (Medium Rectangle), and 160x600 (Skyscraper). These units are placed in high-visibility areas to maximize impressions and clicks.
• Responsive Design for All Devices:
Modern display ads are often responsive, meaning they automatically adjust to fit screen sizes—from desktops and tablets to smartphones. This ensures consistent user experience and ad performance across devices.
• Easy to Implement and Scale:
Display ad units are simple to deploy via Google Ad Manager using ad tags or GPT (Google Publisher Tag) code, and they are compatible with multiple demand sources including AdSense, AdX, and programmatic networks.
• Great for Direct and Programmatic Sales:
Whether you are selling inventory through direct campaigns, private auctions, or real-time bidding, display ads provide a versatile and high-performing option for all monetization strategies.
• Supports Rich Media and Animated Formats:
In addition to static images, display ads can include HTML5 creatives, animations, and interactive elements, increasing engagement and CTR.
• Reliable Revenue Generator:
As the backbone of most publisher monetization strategies, display ads offer predictable revenue streams, high fill rates, and scalable earnings potential when optimized correctly.
✅ Video Ads – High-Impact Monetization for Engaged Audiences
• In-Stream Video Ads:
These ads play before, during, or after video content (pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll). They deliver high engagement and viewability, making them ideal for monetizing video content on both desktop and mobile platforms.
• Outstream Video Ads:
Outstream ads appear within non-video content, such as articles or social feeds. They start playing when in view, offering publishers a way to monetize pages without native video and reach wider audiences.
• Rewarded Video Ads:
Popular in apps and gaming, rewarded videos offer users incentives (like extra lives or points) in exchange for watching ads fully, resulting in higher completion rates and positive user experience.
• Cross-Device Compatibility:
Video ads in Google Ad Manager support responsive playback, ensuring smooth display across desktops, tablets, and smartphones for maximum reach.
• Higher CPMs and Revenue Potential:
Due to their immersive nature and strong engagement, video ads typically command higher CPM rates than standard display ads, significantly boosting publisher revenue.
• Supports Multiple Formats and Creative Types:
Google Ad Manager supports a variety of video formats including VAST, VPAID, and HTML5, enabling rich, interactive ad experiences.
• Integration with Programmatic and Direct Sales:
Video inventory can be sold via direct deals, programmatic guaranteed, or open auctions, offering flexibility and control over monetization strategies.
• Enhanced Analytics for Optimization:
Publishers gain access to detailed viewability, completion rates, and engagement metrics to fine-tune campaigns and improve performance.
✅ Native Ads – Seamless Integration with Content
• Designed to Blend Naturally:
Native ads are crafted to match the look, feel, and style of your website or app content, making them less intrusive and more engaging for users.
• Improved User Experience:
Because they do not disrupt the content flow, native ads offer a smooth, non-disruptive ad experience, leading to higher engagement and better brand perception.
• Flexible Formats:
Native ads come in various formats such as in-feed ads, recommendation widgets, sponsored content, and custom layouts, allowing publishers to tailor ad placement to their design.
• Higher CTR and Engagement Rates:
By aligning with editorial content, native ads typically achieve better click-through rates (CTR) compared to traditional display banners.
• Monetization Without Compromise:
Publishers can monetize valuable page real estate without sacrificing site aesthetics or user satisfaction.
• Easy to Manage in Google Ad Manager:
GAM supports native ads by allowing custom templates and styling options, giving publishers control over how ads appear alongside their content.
• Works Across Devices:
Native ads are responsive and adapt seamlessly to desktop, tablet, and mobile screens, ensuring consistent performance.
• Ideal for Content-Driven Sites:
Websites focused on news, blogs, lifestyle, and entertainment benefit greatly from native ads due to their ability to integrate smoothly with diverse content types.
✅ Rich Media and Interactive Ads – Boosting Engagement and Revenue
• Expandable Ads:
These ads expand in size when interacted with, providing more space for brand messaging without initially taking up much screen area, capturing user attention effectively.
• Animated Creatives:
Animated ads use motion and visuals to stand out on the page, increasing visibility and driving higher click-through rates compared to static banners.
• Interactive Ad Formats:
Ads that allow users to engage through clicks, hover effects, games, or quizzes encourage deeper interaction, boosting brand recall and user engagement.
• Enhanced User Experience:
Well-designed rich media ads blend creativity with usability, delivering memorable experiences that do not disrupt the content flow.
• Higher CPMs and Revenue:
Due to their engaging nature and effectiveness, rich media and interactive ads often command premium rates, contributing to increased publisher earnings.
• Supports Multiple Devices and Platforms:
Google Ad Manager supports rich media creatives that are responsive and compatible across desktop, mobile, and tablets.
• Customizable and Trackable:
Rich media ads come with detailed interaction metrics, allowing publishers and advertisers to measure engagement and optimize campaigns effectively.
• Ideal for Brand Awareness Campaigns:
These ads are perfect for advertisers aiming to create impact and drive conversions through immersive storytelling and user participation.
📌 Thank you!
Follow Finance (AZAD Architects, Barnala) for practical tips from an architect, blogger, technical expert, and financer's lens.
Finance (Azad Architects, Barnala)
