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Display Ads

Visual banner advertisements shown across websites and apps.

Definition

Display ads are visual advertisements — banners, images, animations, or rich media — shown on websites and apps across advertising networks like the Google Display Network (GDN). They reach users while they browse content, check email, or use apps.

Common Formats

  • Leaderboard (728×90): Wide banner, usually at top of page
  • Medium Rectangle (300×250): Most common, in-content
  • Skyscraper (160×600): Tall sidebar ad
  • Large Rectangle (336×280): In-content, high visibility
  • Responsive Display: Auto-adapts to available space

When to Use Display Ads

Display ads excel at brand awareness, retargeting, and reaching audiences at scale. They're less effective for direct response than search ads, but essential for full-funnel strategies.

Examples

  • A retargeting campaign showing product images to cart abandoners across the Google Display Network
  • A brand awareness campaign running responsive display ads across 2 million websites

Common Mistakes

  • Expecting display ads to drive the same direct response as search ads
  • Not using frequency capping, leading to ad fatigue