This page provides an overview of the various ad types and features available in the API. For an overview of different ad types and formats, see choose an ad format in the Google Ads Help Center.
Where do you want your ads to appear?
Google ads typically appear on two networks:
- The Search network, which includes Google search result pages, other Google sites like Maps and Shopping, and partnering search sites.
- The Display network, which includes Google sites like YouTube, Blogger, Gmail, and thousands of partnering websites.
If you want to advertise on both networks but don't want to manage separate Search and Display campaigns, you can create a Search Network with Display Select campaign with a single ad group.
Certain ad types, specifically App engagement, Gmail, and Video ads, do not appear on either the Search or the Display network. They are specific to their corresponding media: mobile apps, Gmail, or YouTube.
Mutating ads
You can mutate your ads without losing their performance data by using
AdService.
Not all ad types are mutable as summarized in the table below. If an ad type is not mutable, it must be removed and recreated to affect changes. Performance data for the removed ad will continue to be available, but will no longer be updated.
Sharing ads in multiple ad groups
Ads of certain types can be referenced from multiple ad groups, referred to as ad sharing.
In the same way that you can share keyword sets, an ad can be shared between ad groups by reusing the same ad ID in another ad group ad.
Description of each ad type
| Ad Type | Search | Display | Mutable | Shareable | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppAd | App Ads promote an app across all Google properties from a single campaign. More at advanced campaigns and the Help Center. | ||||
| AppEngagementAd | App engagement ads allow you to write text encouraging a specific action in the app, like checking in, making a purchase, or booking a flight. Learn more. | ||||
| CallAd | Call ads are designed to encourage people to call your business, and can appear only on devices that make phone calls. When a potential customer clicks your ad, the ad places a call to you from their device. Learn more. | ||||
|
Note: This ad format is superseded by the Call ad format starting from version v8. |
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| DisplayUploadAd | A generic type of display ad. Supported product types. | ||||
| ExpandedDynamicSearchAd | Expanded dynamic search ads contain only two description lines because the headline, final URLs, and display URL are auto-generated at serving time according to domain name specific information. See Dynamic Search Ads and the Help Center. | ||||
| ExpandedTextAd | This is the current standard for Google text ads, including multiple headline parts and descriptions. Learn more. | ||||
| GmailAd | Gmail ads are shown at the top of inbox tabs. Learn more. | ||||
| HotelAd | See Hotel Ads and the Help Center. | ||||
| ImageAd | 1 | As opposed to a text ad, an image ad is a graphic promoting a business. Learn more. | |||
| LegacyAppInstallAd | N/A | N/A | A legacy app install ad that only can be used by a few select customers. | ||
| LegacyResponsiveDisplayAd | Known as "responsive ads" in the UI, this legacy ad type has been replaced by ResponsiveDisplayAd. | ||||
| ResponsiveDisplayAd | See Create a Responsive Display Ad. | ||||
| ResponsiveSearchAd | Unlike static text ads, responsive search ads permit up to 15 different headlines and 4 different descriptions, which are then tested in combination to find the best permutation. Learn more. | ||||
| ShoppingComparisonListingAd | See Shopping Ads. Learn more. | ||||
| ShoppingProductAd | 2 | See Shopping Ads. | |||
| ShoppingSmartAd | See Shopping Ads. | ||||
| TextAd | A simple text only ad with a headline and two description lines. Note
that this ad format is
deprecated and
has been replaced by ExpandedTextAd.
Learn more.
|
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| VideoAd | The Google Ads API permits only reporting of video ads. Video campaigns must be created using the UI or Google Ads scripts. | ||||
| VideoResponsiveAd | Responsive video ads are used in the video action campaign type. Learn more. |
1 An ImageAd on the Search Network
will appear only on websites of Google search partners, not on Google Search.
2 Gmail, YouTube, and Google Discover only.
For more details, refer to enumeration of ad types and their associated set of resources.