This question came up while I was preparing for the Google Ads Display Certification, and it’s one of those “know-the-basics” questions that could easily trip you up if you’re overthinking it.
Let’s walk through why only two of these inputs are required when creating a Display campaign — and what Google’s automation handles for you.
Question:
A retailer owns a large online business selling antiques. They want to create a Display campaign. What are two of the three inputs they must supply to create a Display campaign? Choose two.
- Budget amount
- Example placements
- Creative assets
- Keyword examples
Here’s the full breakdown of the Google Ads Display certification-style question — in your requested blog format, complete with answer explanations, story example, table, FAQs, and optimized for SEO:
Here are two correct answers:
✅ Budget amount and
✅ Creative assets
If you’re interested, you can take the exam here: Google Ads Display Certification via Skillshop.
Why These Two Are Correct:
✅ Budget Amount
- Every campaign needs a daily or monthly budget — this is a mandatory input in Google Ads.
- You tell Google how much you’re willing to spend, and it handles distribution based on your bidding strategy.
✅ Creative Assets
- Display campaigns require visuals like:
- Images
- Logos
- Headlines
- Descriptions
- CTAs (calls to action)
- Google uses these to automatically generate responsive display ads that adjust in size and layout across the Display Network.
❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
❌ Example Placements
- You can choose placements manually (like specific websites), but this is optional.
- Google can automatically place your ads across millions of sites using Smart Display features or contextual targeting.
❌ Keyword Examples
- Keywords are used primarily in Search campaigns or custom intent audiences, but they’re not a required input when setting up a basic Display campaign.
- Instead, Google relies on audience segments, demographics, and behavioral signals to place ads.
Real-World Example
Amanda runs a successful online antique shop. She’s ready to scale with Display ads.
To launch her campaign, she provides:
- A $50/day budget
- A set of high-quality photos of her vintage furniture
- Headlines like “Elegant Antique Finds” and descriptions like “Rare collectibles delivered to your door.”
She doesn’t manually pick placements or list keywords. Google uses her creative assets and budget to place ads on relevant sites like home décor blogs and design forums.
📈 Within a month, her site visits triple — and bounce rates fall, thanks to high-quality, relevant traffic.
Summary Table
Input Option | Required for Display Campaign? | Notes |
---|---|---|
Budget Amount | ✅ Yes | Must be set during campaign creation |
Creative Assets | ✅ Yes | Used to generate responsive display ads |
Example Placements | ❌ No | Optional; Google can auto-select placements |
Keyword Examples | ❌ No | Not mandatory; audience and site context is preferred |

FAQs
Q: Do I need a designer for Display ad assets?
A: Not necessarily! Google’s Asset Library and Auto-Generated Ad Tools let you use basic images and text. But higher-quality assets often get better engagement.
Q: Can I skip picking placements and keywords?
A: Absolutely. Google’s automation uses audience data and machine learning to place ads where they’re likely to perform best.
Q: What are other inputs besides budget and assets?
A: The third required input is often campaign goal or audience targeting (like selecting location, demographics, etc.)
Helpful Resources
Final Answer:
The two correct inputs required to create a Google Display campaign are:
✅ Budget amount
✅ Creative assets
These give Google what it needs to launch, deliver, and optimize your ads across the Display Network.
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.