Google Ads Image Extensions: Boost CTR by 10%

Google Ads image extensions are a powerful way to show off your products and services to potential customers.

They allow you to include an image with your ad, which can help you stand out from the competition and increase your click-through rate by an average of 10%.

What are Image Extensions?

Image extensions are one of the latest extensions on the Google Ads platform.

Adding extensions, in general, can help you capture more of the SERP real estate and entice people to click on your ad.

In addition to image extensions, Google currently offers a few different options depending on your goals:

Get Customers in the Door

• Location extensions
• Affiliate location extensions
• Callout extensions

Get Customers to Reach You

• Call extensions
• Lead form extensions

Convert Customers on your Website or App

• Sitelink extensions
• Callout extensions
• Structured snippet extensions
• Price extensions
• App extensions

Image ad extensions embrace the future of the SERP that aims to include more visual search features including images, videos, and AI-powered discovery.

You can read more about Bing Visual Search and Google Visual Content.

As is often the case with Googles Ads, images may be dynamic. This means Google adds images relevant to your website when displaying the dynamic images extension.

For small and large businesses alike, image extensions provide the opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition, especially as mobile searches now represent 63% of organic search visits.

Benefits of Image Extensions

Upon submitting an image extension, your ad will appear in search engines alongside your headlines, description and URL.

Google provides you with the opportunity to customize your ads to suit the target audience and your brand.

Since photos draw attention naturally, they can be effective in promoting products or services and enhance text advertising in Google.

Interestingly, image extensions can generate higher CTR, particularly for industries that are visual in nature such as travel and tourism.

How do Google Image Extensions work in Google?

For images extensions you can download images from any web site or scan them using Googles platform to find them.

When you use images to scan on social media you will be able to choose which ones you want to use.

Alternatively, you can manually addd images to your ad groups and campaigns.

What level you add images extension depends upon the campaign. Depending on how you use images to promote a product/service, a specific image can be the best option.

What does it Cost?

If someone clicks your images, they pay CPC, similar to Google Search Text Ads. The images in your extension can be clicked on and charge the same CPC as clicking on text.

How can I view my image extension performance?

After you have launched your image ad extensions and given enough time to collect data, you can then go to your “Ads & Extensions” tab.

You will be able to see the Image Extension tab where you can view your image performance.

Here you will be able to see how many people have seen the image and how many clicks it has received.

BONUS TIP

Don’t forget to use “this extension vs other” when analyzing data.

Image specifications

You can use JPG, PNG, or static GIF images that are in either landscape or square orientation.

Images cannot exceed 5120 KB.

Google has a handy image picker tool to select and crop images so you can experiment right in platform.

In general, images should be clear and simple, so don’t overdo it.

Add relevant images

Imagery should be sparkling clean and free of any text or watermarks (with a few exceptions).

Google is clear that “relevance is key” when it comes to ad images.

Implement images with both kinds of aspect ratios

Utilize images in square or landscape format (1.91 x 1).

Experiment to know what fits your content

It will be helpful for people to experiment and see how your extensions work. Utilize an extensive selection of creative techniques including product images, lifestyle images, or creative visualization of abstract concepts.

Best Practices

Google recommends the following to create effective image extensions:

• Try both image extensions and dynamic image extensions
• Keep your account structure in mind when adding images
• Have at least 3 images in rotation
• Try both kinds of aspect ratio: square and landscape
• Choose relevant images
• Images should be useful and add value
• Focus on quality
• Experiment

FAQ

How can image ad extensions improve campaign performance?

If a relevant image and advertising message is combined, people retain more information.

Adding an image can also increase the click-through rate (CTR) of your ad and improve quality score.

Adding compelling visuals of products or services can enhance your message to potential customers, help you stand out from the competition, and increase campaign performance.

Are image extensions worth it?

Image extensions are one of the many features available on Google Ads that can help you improve your campaign performance.

While there is no guarantee that image extensions will work for every business, it is definitely worth experimenting with to see if they have a positive impact on your CTR and quality score.

Should I use dynamic image extensions?

Dynamic image extensions are a newer feature that allows Google to automatically select images from your website to show in your ad.

This can be a good option if you have a lot of images on your website and don’t want to manually select which ones to use.

The main benefit of dynamic image extensions is increased relevancy when allowing Google to match the best image to a user’s query.

Do image extensions always show?

No, image extensions are not guaranteed to show every time your ad is served.

Google will only show image extensions when they think it will improve the performance of your ad.

This means that you may need to experiment with different images and combinations of images to find what works best for your business.

What are Google Ad image extensions?

Image extension is an Ad Extension that lets a user upload a rich, relevant image to add to existing advertising. Visualize product ad graphics to enhance a text-only ad, images extension may be useful.

How do I enable image extensions in Google Ads?

Make a Google Ads account. Click Ads / extensions on menu left, click Extensions.

Press plus and then select Image Extension. Click ‘Add’ in the dropdown menu and select the campaign or ad group to which images will be added.

Are image extensions new to Google Ads?

The Image Extension is Google’s latest advertising extension that is available to users.

In the examples here, the extension of the image appears as a picture beside your text advert in the SERP. Featuring the images compliments the content in ad messaging.

Why can’t I add image extensions to Google Ads?

Finally, if you’re having trouble adding an image extension to your Google Ads account, it’s likely because you don’t have the required access.

To get started using image extensions, you’ll need to be an admin or have edit permissions for the account.

If you’re still having trouble, reach out to your Google Ads rep for help.

Final Thoughts

Image extensions can be a great way to improve the performance of your Google Ads campaigns.

By adding relevant and compelling images, you can increase CTR and improve your quality score.

If you have a lot of images on your website, consider using dynamic image extensions to automatically select the best images for your ads.

Experiment with different images and combinations of images to find what works best for your business.

If you’re having trouble adding image extensions to your account, reach out to your Google Ads rep for help.

Have you used image extensions in your Google Ads campaigns? What has been your experience? Let me know in the comments below.