We all know how frustrating it can be to put together a digital ad campaign, only to find that your images don’t look quite right. Maybe they’re stretched awkwardly, pixelated, or even worse—rejected by Google altogether. It’s not just annoying; it can cost you valuable impressions, clicks, and conversions. With Google’s Performance Max campaigns, your ads can appear across Search, YouTube, Display, Discover, and more. That’s a lot of different placements, each with its own formatting needs. Ensuring your Performance Max Image Specs are correct is crucial to prevent poor-quality visuals, misaligned creatives, or even ad disapproval. If your images aren’t properly sized and optimized according to Google’s Performance Max Image Specs, your ads might not show up as intended—or at all.
At Digital Drew SEM, we’ve seen firsthand how the right visuals can make a huge difference in ad performance. In this guide, we’ll break down Performance Max image specs so you can ensure your ads look professional, load fast, and drive results across Google’s entire network. Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your campaign, these insights will help you get the most out of every ad.
Why Do Image Specs Matter in Performance Max Campaigns?
Getting the right Performance Max Image Specs isn’t just about following Google’s rules—it’s about making sure your ads work. Performance Max campaigns are designed to automate placements across multiple Google-owned channels, including Search, YouTube, Display, Discover, Gmail, and Maps. Since these platforms have different formatting requirements, ensuring that your Performance Max Image Specs are correct is essential. Your images need to be properly sized and optimized to maintain a sharp, professional appearance across all placements, preventing issues like cropping, pixelation, or poor-quality visuals.
Think of it this way: an ad that looks great on YouTube might not translate well to a small Gmail ad or a Discover feed. If an image is too large, it might get cropped awkwardly. If it’s too small, it can appear blurry or pixelated, making your brand look unprofessional. Worse, if your images don’t meet Google’s technical requirements, your ad might not run at all. That means all the time, effort, and budget you’ve poured into your campaign could go to waste simply because of an incorrect image size or format.
Beyond just approval, image quality directly impacts engagement. Ads with high-resolution, properly formatted images tend to attract more attention and clicks, leading to better conversion rates. A poor-quality image, on the other hand, can diminish trust in your brand and reduce the chances of someone taking action. In a highly competitive advertising space, even small details like image clarity and sizing can make a huge difference in how your ad performs.
Ultimately, getting your image specs right means better visibility, higher engagement, and a stronger return on investment (ROI). The formula is simple: Better image specs = Better ad performance. And when your ads perform well, your business benefits.
Performance Max Image Specs: Sizes and Formats
One of the most critical aspects of setting up a Performance Max campaign is ensuring that your images are properly sized and formatted. Since Google automatically places your ads across multiple platforms—from YouTube to Display and even Google Discover—it’s essential to use the correct image dimensions. This ensures that your ads appear as intended without getting cropped, stretched, or pixelated.
To help your ads look their best, Google provides specific guidelines for different image formats. Using the correct aspect ratio, resolution, and file size not only ensures compliance but also improves engagement and click-through rates (CTR). Below, we break down the most important image specifications you need to know when creating assets for Performance Max campaigns.
1. Landscape Images
- Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1.91:1
- Max file size: 5MB
- Formats: PNG, JPG
Landscape images are one of the most commonly used formats in Performance Max campaigns, as they work well for Google Display and YouTube ads. These images have a wide, banner-like appearance, making them ideal for promoting product features, highlighting a strong call-to-action (CTA), or showcasing compelling brand messaging.
When using landscape images, it’s crucial to ensure that any important text, logos, or product visuals are properly centered. Since Google may automatically crop images depending on placement, keeping key elements within a safe margin prevents them from getting cut off. Also, avoid cluttering the image with too much text—Google recommends minimal text for better ad performance.
- Square Images
- Recommended size: 1200 x 1200 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1
- Max file size: 5MB
- Formats: PNG, JPG
Square images are incredibly versatile and can appear in multiple ad placements, including Google Discover, YouTube feeds, and Display Network ads. Since they have a balanced 1:1 aspect ratio, they fit well in both desktop and mobile environments, making them a great option for engaging audiences across different devices.
A major advantage of square images is their mobile-first usability. As more users consume content on mobile devices, square images ensure that your ads are displayed properly without getting cropped awkwardly. If your ad features product photography, brand logos, or promotional offers, this format helps present them clearly without distortion.
For best results, use bold, high-resolution visuals with minimal distractions. Simple backgrounds, well-lit product images, and clear branding work best in this format.
- Portrait Images
- Recommended size: 960 x 1200 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- Max file size: 5MB
- Formats: PNG, JPG
Portrait images are specifically designed for mobile-friendly placements like Google Display Network and mobile feed ads. With a tall, vertical orientation, they naturally fit into scrolling environments, making them highly engaging for users who browse content on their smartphones.
Since mobile users tend to scroll quickly, portrait images should be visually striking and easy to understand at a glance. The design should focus on one main element, such as a product image, an offer, or a compelling CTA. Overloading the image with too many details can cause users to ignore it as they scroll through their feeds.
One key consideration for portrait images is their compatibility with different screen sizes. While they are optimized for mobile, they may not display as prominently on desktops. That’s why it’s best to use them in combination with landscape and square images to ensure full coverage across all devices and placements.
- Logo Images
- Square logo size: 1200 x 1200 pixels
- Rectangular logo size: 512 x 128 pixels
- Formats: PNG, JPG
Your brand’s logo is an essential part of your Performance Max campaign, helping to establish recognition and trust with potential customers. Since Google displays logos in various ad placements, it’s important to upload both square and rectangular versions to ensure compatibility across different formats.
A square logo (1200 x 1200 pixels) is typically used in feed-based placements, such as Google Discover or YouTube feeds, while a rectangular logo (512 x 128 pixels) is more suited for smaller ad slots where a compact, horizontal design works better.
When preparing your logo images, make sure they are high-resolution and have a transparent background if applicable. Avoid adding unnecessary text or embellishments that could make the logo hard to read, especially in smaller sizes. A clean, simple logo ensures that your brand remains visible and recognizable no matter where the ad appears.
Best Practices for Performance Max Images
Now that we’ve covered the essential image specs, it’s time to focus on optimizing your visuals to ensure they stand out and drive conversions. Simply meeting Google’s requirements isn’t enough—you need to create images that are visually compelling, properly formatted, and engaging across all placements. By following these best practices, you can significantly improve the performance of your Performance Max campaigns and maximize your return on investment. One of the most crucial factors in ad success is image quality. High-resolution visuals ensure that your ads appear sharp and professional, no matter where they are displayed. Blurry or pixelated images make a brand look untrustworthy and can lead to poor engagement rates. Since Google resizes and adjusts images to fit different placements, starting with crisp, high-quality visuals prevents distortion and maintains a polished appearance. It’s always best to use PNG or high-quality JPG formats to preserve clarity and avoid unnecessary compression that could affect image sharpness.
When designing ad creatives, it’s essential to keep text to a minimum. Overloading an image with text can make it difficult to read, especially on smaller screens. Google itself advises advertisers to minimize text in images and instead focus on strong, eye-catching visuals that quickly communicate the message. If you must include text, ensure it is clear, concise, and strategically placed so that it does not interfere with the overall composition. Remember, your ad copy and call-to-action (CTA) in the text portion of the ad should do the heavy lifting, while the image should work as a visual hook. Another key consideration is cropping and alignment. Google automatically adjusts images based on placement, which means that if your key elements—such as logos, product images, or text—are too close to the edges, they may get cut off. To prevent this, always ensure that important elements are centered and within a safe margin. Keeping a balanced composition helps maintain the effectiveness of your visuals, regardless of how they are resized or cropped for different placements. Always preview how your images appear in different formats to avoid unexpected adjustments.
A/B testing different images is another powerful way to improve ad performance. No single visual works for every audience, so testing multiple variations allows you to identify which styles, colors, and layouts drive the best results. For instance, you might test a bright, colorful image against a more minimalist design, or compare a product-focused image with a lifestyle-oriented one. By analyzing key performance metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and conversions, you can fine-tune your visuals to maximize engagement. Regularly experimenting with different creatives ensures that your campaign remains fresh and optimized. Equally important is ensuring that your image style matches your brand identity. Ads should align with your overall brand aesthetic to create a cohesive and recognizable experience for your audience. A sleek and modern brand should use clean, minimalistic visuals, while a fun and playful brand might opt for bold colors and dynamic imagery. Inconsistent branding can confuse potential customers, making it harder to establish trust and recognition. By maintaining a consistent color scheme, typography, and visual style, your ads will seamlessly fit into your overall marketing strategy and reinforce your brand identity.
Mobile optimization should be a top priority. With a significant portion of Google traffic coming from mobile users, your images need to be mobile-friendly and visually appealing on smaller screens. A design that looks great on a desktop might not be as effective on a mobile device, where space is limited, and users scroll quickly. To ensure the best mobile experience, use clear, high-contrast visuals that remain readable even at smaller sizes. Additionally, portrait and square images tend to perform better on mobile compared to landscape formats, as they naturally fit the scrolling behavior of users. Testing your images across different screen sizes ensures that they maintain their impact and visibility regardless of where they are displayed. By following these best practices—using high-resolution images, minimizing text, ensuring proper alignment, testing different creatives, staying consistent with branding, and optimizing for mobile—you can significantly improve the effectiveness of your Performance Max campaigns. Well-optimized images not only enhance ad engagement but also contribute to better conversion rates and an overall stronger return on investment. We specialize in Google Ads management and Performance Max campaign optimization. Our team ensures that your visuals are designed to perform, maximizing ad impact and driving real business results. If you need expert guidance on optimizing your Performance Max ads, we’re here to help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Performance Max Images
Even with the best strategies, some common mistakes can hurt your ad performance. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
- Using low-quality or pixelated images – These get rejected or result in poor performance.
- Ignoring aspect ratios – Cropped or distorted images can make your ad look unprofessional.
- Not testing different images – One image won’t work for all audiences. Always test different variations.
- Using text-heavy images – These can clutter the ad and reduce engagement.
- Neglecting mobile optimization – Many users browse on mobile, so images must be optimized accordingly.
How Digital Drew SEM Can Help You Optimize Performance Max Ads
We specialize in Google Ads and Performance Max campaign management. We know that running a successful ad campaign isn’t just about setting a budget and hitting launch—it’s about strategy, optimization, and constant testing.
Here’s how we can help you maximize your Performance Max campaigns:
- Image Optimization – We ensure your visuals meet all Google specifications and are designed for high engagement.
- A/B Testing – We test different image styles and formats to determine what works best.
- Ad Performance Tracking – We monitor metrics and continuously refine your ad creatives for better results.
- Campaign Strategy – We build data-driven campaigns that align with your business goals and drive real conversions.
When you work with Digital Drew SEM, you’re not just getting a Google Ads manager—you’re getting a dedicated team focused on growing your business.
Final Thoughts
Performance Max campaigns offer a powerful way to reach your audience across multiple Google platforms, but they require careful optimization—especially when it comes to images. By following the correct image specs and best practices, you can improve ad performance, increase engagement, and drive higher conversions.
If you’re looking for expert help with Performance Max Image Specs campaigns, let’s chat! We take the guesswork out of Google Ads so you can focus on what matters—growing your business.
👉 Ready to optimize your Performance Max campaigns? Contact us today!