Google Ads Image Extensions: Complete Guide with Examples, Types & Performance Optimization (2026)
Learn what Google Ads image extensions are, how they work, best practices, examples, and how to optimize images for higher CTR and conversions.
What Are Image Extensions in Google Ads?
Google Ads image extensions (now commonly referred to as image assets) allow advertisers to display relevant visuals alongside their text ads on the Search Network. Instead of showing only headlines and descriptions, your ad becomes more prominent and visually engaging.
They appear primarily:
- On mobile devices
- At the top of search results
- Alongside your standard responsive search ads
According to Google Ads documentation, adding image assets can increase ad visibility and improve click-through rate (CTR) because the ad occupies more screen space and communicates value faster.
Why Image Extensions Matter for Performance
In live campaigns, image extensions consistently:
- Increase CTR by making ads more visually dominant
- Improve ad rank without increasing bids
- Qualify clicks by pre-selling the offer visually
On mobile, where screen space is limited, a text-only ad competes poorly against one enhanced with images.
This is especially powerful for:
- E-commerce
- SaaS dashboards
- Local services
- Travel and hospitality
- Food and restaurant searches
Google Ads Image Extension Requirements
Supported formats
- JPG
- PNG
Aspect ratios
- 1:1 (square)
- 1.91:1 (landscape)
Recommended size
- 1200 × 1200 px
- 1200 × 628 px
Minimum size
- 300 × 300 px
Maximum file size
- 5 MB
If your source creative is in WebP, AVIF, or another format, convert it before uploading using the appropriate tool at: https://plomz.com/#tools
Google Ads Image Extensions Examples
Example 1 – E-commerce product ad
Search: “buy running shoes” Images shown:
- Product close-up
- Lifestyle usage
- Packaging shot
This pre-qualifies users and improves conversion rate.
Example 2 – SaaS dashboard promotion
Search: “best CRM for small business” Images:
- Real UI screenshot
- Analytics report view
- Mobile app interface
This reduces uncertainty and increases trust.
Example 3 – Local service business
Search: “roof repair near me” Images:
- Before/after work
- Team in uniform
- Branded vehicle
This dramatically improves local credibility.
Which Image Extension Is Best?
There is no single “best” image. The highest-performing structure in real campaigns is:
- Product or core offer image
- Lifestyle or in-use image
- Trust signal image (reviews, awards, real interface)
Testing multiple images is critical. Google automatically rotates assets and prioritizes the best performers.
How Image Extensions Compare to Other Google Ad Extensions
Types of Google Ad Extensions
- Sitelink extensions
- Callout extensions
- Structured snippets
- Call extensions
- Location extensions
- Price extensions
- Promotion extensions
- App extensions
- Image extensions
Image extensions are unique because they:
- Improve visual engagement
- Increase ad real estate
- Communicate instantly without reading
They work best when combined with sitelinks and callouts.
When You Need to Resize or Convert Images
Real production scenarios:
- Product images are too large → must compress
- Social media square creative → must convert to landscape
- Logo with white background → must remove background
- Designer delivers SVG/WebP → must convert to PNG/JPG
All of these can be handled using the tools at: https://plomz.com/#tools
For example:
- Use the image resizer to generate the correct aspect ratios
- Use the image compressor to reduce file size
- Use the background remover for clean branding visuals
Best Practices for High-Performing Image Extensions
From active campaign data:
Use real photography instead of stock images Stock visuals reduce trust and CTR.
Keep the focal point centered Google may crop dynamically.
Avoid text-heavy images Text belongs in headlines, not the image.
Match the search intent Your image must reflect what the user is searching for.
Quantifiable Performance Impact
In multiple search campaigns:
- Adding image assets increased CTR by 10–25%
- Ads with image assets received significantly more top-of-page impressions
- Mobile engagement improved the most
This happens because image extensions increase the physical size of your ad on the results page.
Image Extension Workflow for Consistent Results
A repeatable workflow used in high-performing accounts:
- Export high-resolution master images.
- Create square and landscape variants.
- Compress for fast loading.
- Remove backgrounds for logos or product isolation.
- Upload multiple variations for testing.
You can complete the entire preparation process using the appropriate tools at: https://plomz.com/#tools
Common Mistakes That Reduce Performance
- Using generic stock imagery
- Uploading only one image
- Incorrect aspect ratio
- Low-resolution screenshots
- Text inside the image
These limit ad eligibility and reduce CTR.
Final Thoughts
Image extensions transform standard search ads into visual sales assets. They are not just decorative — they directly influence:
- Ad rank
- CTR
- Conversion rate
- Mobile dominance
Advertisers who treat image preparation as a structured workflow consistently outperform competitors who rely on text-only ads.
By P. Bissiwu @2026