9 Tips to Optimize Image Ads on Facebook & Google

Want to boost your image ad performance on Facebook and Google? Here's how:

1. Use clear, relevant images
2. Follow platform rules
3. Keep text simple and direct
4. Design for small screens
5. Pick eye-catching colors
6. Add clear call-to-action buttons
7. Use audience targeting tools
8. Test different ad versions
9. Check and update ads regularly

Why it matters:

• Image ads get 5x higher click-through rates than text ads
• High-quality images can boost conversions by up to 42%
• Following best practices can increase short-term sales by 1.2X to 7.4X

Quick Comparison:

Remember: 81.8% of Facebook users are on mobile. Make your ads pop on small screens!

Related video from YouTube

1. Use Clear, Relevant Images

Your ad images need to work hard. Why? Facebook users scroll through 300 feet of content daily, and Google display ads get less than a second of viewing time.

Here's how to make your images count:

1. Quality matters

Use high-res images. Facebook wants 1200 pixels wide, minimum 600 x 600 pixels.

2. Keep it simple

One clear visual beats a cluttered mess. Your message should be obvious at a glance.

3. Stay relevant

Pick images that show what you're selling. Don't make users guess.

4. Use contrast

Make your image pop against its background. Bright colors can help, even on small screens.

5. Show faces

People like seeing other people. Try lifestyle shots of models using your product.

6. Follow the rules

Each platform has its own image requirements:

Your image is your first impression. As Stephanie Henshaw from Marwick Marketing says:

"One strong, captivating image can mean the difference between customers reading the rest of your ad or not."

2. Follow Platform Rules

Facebook and Google have specific rules for image ads. Break these, and your ad might get rejected or perform poorly. Here's what you need to know:

Facebook Image Ads:

• Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels (600 x 600 minimum)
• Type: PNG or JPG
• Size limit: 30MB
• Text: Keep it under 20% of the image

Google Display Ads:

• Size limit: 150KB
• Desktop sizes: 336x280, 728x90, 300x600
• Mobile sizes: 320x50, 320x100

Quick comparison:

Both platforms have content rules:

• No misleading claims
• No excessive violence or overly sexual images
• Ad must match landing page

Use Facebook's ad preview tool to catch issues early. For Google, create multiple ad sizes (300x250, 336x280, 728x90 are versatile).

3. Keep Text Simple and Direct

When making image ads for Facebook and Google, your text needs to pack a punch. Here's how:

Focus on benefits: Tell users what they'll get. QuickBooks nails it:

"Manage your business, anywhere, anytime. Subscribe today and save 50%."

Match your message to the journey: New customers? Highlight your unique points. Returning ones? Push new features or offers.

Use power words: "Instant", "save", and "exclusive" can drive action.

Keep it short: Facebook and Google have tight limits:

Be specific: Create urgency. Try "Only for first-time buyers" or "First 100 customers save".

Maurice Saatchi, ad exec, puts it best:

"Simplicity is all. Simple logic, simple arguments, simple visual images. If you can't reduce your argument to a few crisp words and phrases, there's something wrong with your argument."

Remember: Every word counts. Make them work for you.

4. Design for Small Screens

Most people use Facebook on their phones. So, your ads need to look good on tiny screens.

Here's how to make your image ads stand out:

Keep it simple: People scroll fast on phones. Use clean designs with lots of space. Focus on your main message.

Size matters: Use these sizes for the best look:

Make text easy to read: Use big fonts (at least 16 pixels). Pick colors that stand out.

Easy to tap: Make buttons and links big enough to tap. Don't put them too close to the edges.

Load fast: Use small file sizes. Simple animations are better than complex ones.

"If most of your users are on mobile, you should definitely plan for how your site looks and functions on mobile devices." - Shelby Arnett, Senior Designer

Tip: Use Facebook's tools in Ads Manager to crop video ads for mobile screens.

5. Pick Eye-Catching Colors

Colors can make or break your image ads. Here's how to use them effectively:

1. Match your brand: Use colors that fit your brand identity.
2. Create contrast: Make text stand out against the background.
3. Use color psychology: Different colors spark different emotions.
4. Test combinations: Try various color schemes.
5. Keep it simple: Stick to 2-3 main colors for a clean look.

Here's how some big brands use color:

"Color often determines a consumer's first impression of a brand or product." - Kevin Kaminyar, CEO of Yellow Tree Marketing

Did you know? Up to 90% of snap judgments about products are based on color alone.

Pro tip: Use Facebook's built-in tools to test different color schemes for your target audience.

sbb-itb-bc761f5

6. Add Clear Call-to-Action Buttons

CTAs are your secret weapon for guiding users. Here's how to make them pop:

1. Use action words: Ditch "submit" for "get", "reserve", or "try."
2. Keep it visible: Put your CTA where users can't miss it.
3. Create urgency: "Sign Up for 50% Off - Today Only!"
4. Size it right: Make sure people can read it without squinting.
5. Make it stand out: Use colors that grab attention.

Check out these CTA examples:

Pro tip: Test different CTAs to see what clicks with your audience.

Keep it short and sweet. "Buy Now", "Sign Up", or "Get Started" work like a charm.

"The CTA on a Facebook Ad is the 'Title' text in blue at the top of your Ad. It's the most important part." - Facebook Advertising Expert

7. Use Audience Targeting Tools

Facebook and Google have powerful tools to show your image ads to the right people. Here's how to use them:

Facebook Targeting:

• Core Audiences: Demographics, interests, behaviors
• Custom Audiences: People who know your business
• Lookalike Audiences: Find similar users to your best customers

Google Ads Targeting:

• Remarketing: Show ads to previous visitors
• In-market: People actively researching products
• Affinity: Target long-term interests and habits

Make Your Targeting Work:

1. Mix and match: Combine demographics, interests, and behaviors

2. Use custom audiences: Retarget visitors who didn't buy

3. Try lookalike audiences: Find new customers similar to current ones

4. Keep an eye on things: Check performance and adjust as needed

Example: A fitness brand could target women 25-40 in cities who like fitness pages on Facebook. On Google, they'd use in-market audiences for people searching for workout clothes.

Tip: Don't go too narrow. Start broad and narrow down based on data.

Good targeting saves money. In 2022, $5.6 billion in digital ad spend was wasted on poor targeting. Use these tools to make your ad dollars count.

"Facebook ad targeting helps you find the audiences most likely to interact with your brand, and buy from you." - Hannah Macready, Freelance Writer

8. Test Different Ad Versions

A/B testing is crucial for improving image ads. It helps boost click-through rates and maximizes your ad spend.

Here's how to do it:

1. Change one element at a time (image, headline, or CTA button)
2. Use Google Ads Variations for easy multi-campaign testing
3. Try Facebook's A/B testing in Ads Manager
4. Run tests for at least 2 weeks
5. Focus on cost per result, CPC, and ROAS

Real-world example: Blendtopia, a smoothie company, saw a 10x sales increase after testing user-generated content against their original ad.

"The only way to know what works is to run smart tests and draw the right conclusions from those." - Inflow Team

Remember: Testing is the key to unlocking your ad's full potential.

9. Check and Update Ads Regularly

Ad fatigue is real. People tune out ads they've seen too many times. So, you need to keep your image ads fresh. Here's how:

1. Monitor performance weekly

Look for drops in click-through rates or rising costs per acquisition.

2. Refresh creatives every 4-6 weeks

Keep your ads engaging by updating them regularly.

3. Watch for platform warnings

Facebook might flag your ads as "Creative Limited" or "Creative Fatigue" when performance dips.

4. Update elements strategically

Change one thing at a time - image, headline, or call-to-action. See what works best.

5. Use new content sources

Mix in user-generated content or customer photos to keep things interesting.

Here's a real-world example: Hamilton Island boosted their ad performance by using guest photos instead of professional shots. This simple change cut their cost per click and improved click-through rates.

"Ads that are shown around 3 times or more tend to decline in performance, even if they were initially very successful." - Nosto

Don't let your ads get stale. Keep them fresh, and your audience engaged.

Conclusion

Image ads on Facebook and Google can make or break your digital marketing. Here's how to create ads that catch eyes and drive results:

1. Use clear, relevant images. They're your digital storefront.
2. Follow platform rules to avoid rejections.
3. Keep text simple and direct.
4. Design for mobile. 81.8% of Facebook users are on phones.
5. Use eye-catching, on-brand colors.
6. Add clear call-to-action buttons.
7. Use audience targeting tools.
8. Test different ad versions.
9. Update ads regularly.

Why these matter:

• High-quality images can boost conversions by up to 42%.
• Image ads have 5x higher click-through rates than text ads.
• Following creative best practices can increase short-term sales by 1.2X to 7.4X (Meta study, November 2022).

Don't set and forget. The digital ad world changes fast. Keep testing and improving.

"Images are the first impression a client or customer receives for your business." - Stephanie Henshaw, Social Media Manager at Marwick Marketing

Make that first impression count. Now go create some ads that shine!

FAQs

How do I optimize my photos for Facebook ads?

Want your Facebook ads to pop? Here's how to make your photos shine:

1. Pick clear, relevant images
2. Crop tightly around key elements
3. Use readable fonts with contrast
4. Try carousel format for multiple images
5. Include your logo
6. Preview in Ads Manager before publishing

Rachel Corak from HawkSEM says:

"Use a modern, clean font in a large enough type size and a contrasting hue."

And don't forget, images make the first impression. Stephanie Henshaw at Marwick Marketing puts it this way:

"Images are the first impression a client or customer receives for your business."

So, make those photos count!

Related posts

• A/B Testing for Creators: Guide & Best Practices
• 10 Tips to Boost User-Generated Content Engagement
• Platform-Specific Video Content: 5 Creation Tips
• 10 Essential Video Ad Production Tools and Techniques