Google Leaderboard Ads Documentation
Google Leaderboard Ads
Create powerful horizontal display ads that dominate the top of web pages
Overview
Google Leaderboard Ads are horizontal display advertisements with dimensions of 728x90 pixels. These wide, banner-style ads are perfect for top-of-page placements and offer maximum visibility due to their prominent horizontal format. They're ideal for brand awareness, product launches, and driving high-volume traffic.
Why Leaderboard Ads Work
Leaderboard ads have the highest visibility of all display ad formats, with 95% of users seeing them when placed above the fold. Their horizontal format makes them perfect for storytelling and showcasing multiple products or features.
Technical Specifications
📏 Dimensions
728x90 pixels - perfect for top-of-page placements
📁 File Formats
JPG, PNG, GIF, HTML5, AMP HTML supported
💾 File Size
Maximum 150KB for static images, 5MB for HTML5
⏱️ Animation
Maximum 30 seconds for animated GIFs
Design Best Practices
Left-to-Right Flow
Design with natural reading flow from left to right across the banner
Bold Headlines
Make your headline prominent and easy to read from a distance
Clear Call-to-Action
Place your CTA button prominently, typically on the right side
Visual Balance
Balance text, images, and white space for optimal visual impact
Layout Strategies
🏢 Left-Right Flow
Logo on left, headline in center, CTA on right for natural reading flow
🎯 Product Showcase
Multiple products or features displayed horizontally
📊 Before/After
Split layout showing transformation or comparison results
🎨 Creative Storytelling
Use the horizontal space to tell a visual story or showcase benefits
Content Guidelines
Text Requirements
- Headline: Keep it under 30 characters for maximum impact
- Description: Use 100 characters or less for supporting text
- Text Overlay: Limit to 20% of the total image area
- Font Size: Minimum 14px for readability across devices
- Contrast: Ensure high contrast between text and background
Creative Elements
🖼️ High-Quality Images
Use professional photography or AI-generated visuals that represent your brand
🎨 Color Psychology
Choose colors that evoke the right emotions and align with your brand
📱 Mobile Optimization
Ensure your ad looks great on mobile devices and smaller screens
⚡ Loading Speed
Optimize file sizes for fast loading and better user experience
Placement Strategies
Top-of-Page Placement
Perfect for maximum visibility and above-the-fold positioning
Content Integration
Place within article content for higher engagement rates
Header Integration
Integrate with website headers for seamless user experience
Contextual Targeting
Match ad content with relevant website content for better performance
Performance Optimization
📊 A/B Testing
Test different headlines, images, and CTAs to find winning combinations
🎯 Audience Targeting
Use demographic and interest-based targeting for better relevance
📈 Performance Monitoring
Track CTR, conversion rates, and cost per acquisition regularly
🔄 Creative Refresh
Update ad creatives regularly to prevent ad fatigue
Common Use Cases
Brand Awareness
Perfect for introducing new products or services to your target audience
Product Promotion
Showcase specific products with detailed features and benefits
Lead Generation
Drive traffic to landing pages with compelling offers and CTAs
Remarketing
Re-engage visitors who have previously shown interest in your brand
Design Templates
🏢 Corporate
Professional templates for B2B services and corporate communications
🛍️ E-commerce
Product-focused templates for online stores and retail businesses
🎨 Creative
Artistic templates for creative agencies and design services
📱 Tech
Modern templates for technology companies and digital services
💡 Pro Tips
- Use the Horizontal Space: Take advantage of the wide format to showcase multiple elements
- Test Different Layouts: Try various arrangements to see what works best
- Keep It Simple: Avoid cluttering the ad with too many elements
- Mobile First: Design for mobile devices first, then adapt for desktop
- Brand Consistency: Ensure your ad aligns with your overall brand identity
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Too Much Text: Keep text minimal and focus on visuals
- Poor Image Quality: Use high-resolution, professional images
- Unclear CTA: Make your call-to-action obvious and compelling
- Ignoring Mobile: Always test how your ad looks on mobile devices
- Overcomplicating: Simple designs often perform better than complex ones