Google Display ads lets advertisers upload their own ads to the system, allowing advertisers greater control over the look and feel of their messaging. What are the two types of uploaded ads?

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Bhupati Barman

A smiling South Asian woman sits in her home workspace with a cup of chai, reviewing Google Display Ads certification questions on her laptop.

I was reviewing some Display Ads questions while sipping chai at my little home workspace — and this one popped up. It’s simple, but super important if you’re serious about running effective Google Display campaigns.

Recently, I passed the Google Display Ads Certification and scored 98%. Step by step, I’m breaking down all the questions to help you learn just like I did — with clear explanations, real-life examples, and no boring stuff.

Here’s one question you must understand to master uploaded ads on the Display Network. Let’s dive into it 👇

Question

Google Display ads lets advertisers upload their own ads to the system, allowing advertisers greater control over the look and feel of their messaging. What are the two types of uploaded ads?

  • Image ads and dynamic ads
  • Shopping ads and remarketing ads
  • AMPHTML ads and image ads
  • Video ads and call-only ads

Here is the correct answer: AMPHTML ads and image ads ✅

Why These Are Correct

1. Image Ads

Definition:
These are display banners you design yourself and upload as PNG, JPG, or GIF files. You’ve got full control over how they look.

Specs:

  • Common sizes: 300×250, 728×90, 160×600, 970×250
  • File types: .jpg, .png, .gif
  • File size limit: 150 KB

Performance Insight (2024 Google benchmark):

  • Average CTR for image ads: 0.35% – 0.50%
  • Ideal for: Brand awareness, retargeting, product promos
  • Brands using custom image ads reported 3.2x higher engagement than responsive display ads when branding was a top priority

💡 Example: Coca-Cola uploaded image banners for their “Taste the Feeling” campaign. Their classic red-white design wouldn’t look the same with Google auto-generated fonts. So they controlled every pixel with custom image ads.

2. AMPHTML Ads

Definition:
AMPHTML ads are like the turbocharged versions of image ads. They use special HTML code that’s optimized for speed, security, and mobile devices.

Performance Benefits (based on Google AMPHTML case studies):

  • Loads 6x faster than standard ads
  • Reduces mobile bounce rates by 20–50%
  • Up to 2.7x better CTR compared to traditional HTML display ads

Technical Specs:

  • Created with Google Web Designer or AMP tools
  • Require valid AMPHTML
  • Works well on all mobile devices and ensures ad security

🚀 Real-world stat: BMW used AMPHTML ads and saw a 34% increase in engagement compared to their older image-based creatives.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

❌ Image ads and dynamic ads

  • “Image ads” ✅ yes.
  • But dynamic ads are not uploaded manually.
  • They’re auto-created by Google using data feeds (like your product info).
  • They adjust content based on the viewer (e.g., showing different shoes to different people).
  • You don’t upload dynamic ads — you just upload the product feed, and Google makes the ads.

📌 Tip: Dynamic ads are great for performance, but they don’t give full creative control.

❌ Shopping ads and remarketing ads

  • These are types of campaigns or targeting strategies, not file formats.
  • Shopping ads are shown on Google Search or Shopping tab — not Display.
  • Remarketing ads are shown to past visitors, but again — they’re created using existing ad formats (like responsive or uploaded).

📌 Fact: You can use uploaded image ads for remarketing, but “remarketing ads” isn’t a creative file type you upload.

❌ Video ads and call-only ads

  • Video ads go on YouTube or Google Video Partners.
  • Call-only ads are for mobile search — where users click to call directly.
  • Neither of these is supported as an uploaded display ad format.

📌 Example: If you’re uploading a video, you’re doing a YouTube campaign — not a Display uploaded image/video campaign.

Bar graph comparing AMPHTML ads, image ads, and other ad formats in Google Display across uploadability, design control, performance, and main use.
Visual comparison of AMPHTML ads, image ads, and other ad types used in Google Display campaigns, based on control, performance, and usability.

Visual Chart

Ad Format / OptionIs It an Uploaded Ad Format?Purpose/UsePerformance Insight
✅ Image Ads✅ YesCustom visuals, static or GIFCTR ~0.35%–0.50%, Best for brand control
✅ AMPHTML Ads✅ YesFast, mobile-friendly, secure ads2.7x better CTR, loads 6x faster
❌ Dynamic Ads❌ NoAuto-generated by Google using feedsPersonalized, not manually uploaded
❌ Shopping/Remarketing Ads❌ NoTargeting strategy/campaign typeNot a file format
❌ Video/Call-only Ads❌ NoYouTube/phone targetingNot for Display uploads

Real Life Story:

Imagine Sarah, a small business owner who sells eco-friendly tumblers.

She hires a designer to create a beautiful image ad with her brand colors, slogan, and product photo. She uploads that into her Display campaign. ✅ Boom — instant brand identity!

Then she tries an AMPHTML ad. This time, it loads super fast on mobile, and her click-through rate goes from 0.4% to 1.3%.

Thanks to the upload freedom, Sarah controls everything. And customers recognize her brand wherever they browse online.

Helpful Resources:

  1. 🔗 Google Ads Support – Uploaded Display Ads
  2. 🔗 AMPHTML Ads Guide – Google Developers
  3. 🔗 Google Web Designer – Create AMPHTML Ads
  4. 🔗 Ad Format Gallery – Google

Conclusion:

When you want total control over your ad’s design — colors, layout, animations — only two formats let you upload your own creations:

  • Image Ads for full design control
  • AMPHTML Ads for performance and speed

The rest — like dynamic, remarketing, and call ads — are either auto-generated or belong to other platforms.

If you want your brand to stand out AND load fast, combine both!

FAQs:

Q: Can I upload videos into Display ads?
A: Not as an uploaded file. Video ads go into YouTube campaigns, not Display.

Q: Do AMPHTML ads need special tools?
A: Yes! Use Google Web Designer (free) or hire a dev familiar with AMP code.

Q: Will uploaded image ads work on all devices?
A: Yes, but they may resize poorly on certain screens. AMPHTML is more flexible for responsive design.

Q: Can I use animated GIFs in image ads?
A: Yep! Just keep the file size under 150 KB and make sure it loops no more than 30 seconds.

Q: Are AMPHTML ads expensive to make?

Answer:
Not really!

  • You can build AMPHTML ads yourself using Google Web Designer (free!).
  • Or use a freelancer or agency if you want animation or something fancy — prices can start at $30–$100 per ad, depending on design complexity.

🧃 Think of AMPHTML like juice in a fancy bottle — looks high-end but you can DIY it cheaply too.

Now, if you are ready, you can take the Google Skillshop test for the Google Ads Display Exam. Want more real exam questions with easy answers like this? Follow along — I’ll be breaking down more Google Ads Display Measurement Certification Free examples in the next posts.