> Quick answer: Google Discovery ads are now Demand Gen campaigns. Gather images in three aspect ratios, write short headlines and descriptions, then upload everything into Google Ads. Coinis Image Ads generates on-spec creatives from a product URL. Smart Resize handles the ratio work.
Google Discovery ads are now called Demand Gen campaigns. The setup process is familiar. Here is how to build one correctly, from asset prep to submission.
What Are Google Discovery Ads (Now Demand Gen Campaigns)?
These ads run inside Google's owned feed surfaces and reach people who are already browsing, not searching.
Transition from Discovery to Demand Gen
Google automatically upgraded all Discovery campaigns to Demand Gen between January and March 2024. You cannot create new Discovery campaigns today. Demand Gen is the current format. The creative requirements are the same.
Where Discovery ads appear
These ads run across the Google Discover Feed, YouTube (including Shorts), and Gmail Promotions and Social tabs. That is significant reach across Google's own properties, without search intent required.
Single image vs. carousel format
Single image ads use one primary creative. Carousel format lets you upload up to 10 images. Users swipe through each card, making carousel a strong option for product catalogs.
Step 1: Gather Your Creative Assets
Start with a complete asset checklist. Missing one element stalls your whole launch.
Image requirements: aspect ratios and dimensions
Per Google's Ads Help Center, you need all three aspect ratios to reach Good ad strength. Landscape (1.91:1) at 1200 x 628 px (minimum 600 x 314). Square (1:1) at 1200 x 1200 px (minimum 300 x 300). Portrait (4:5) at 960 x 1200 px (minimum 480 x 600). All files must be JPG or PNG. Maximum file size is 5 MB each.
Headline and copy character limits
Headlines max out at 40 characters. Include at least one headline under 15 characters. Descriptions max out at 90 characters. You can add up to 5 of each.
Business name, logo, and URL
Your business name is capped at 25 characters. Prepare a square logo and a clean final URL before you start. Missing either blocks submission.
Step 2: Prepare High-Quality Images
Your image is the first thing a user sees. Get it right before you write a word.
Why image quality matters for feed discovery
Discovery placements compete directly with organic content. Blurry images or images with excessive blank space get flagged. Google's policy requires high-quality formatting and clear subject matter.
Best practices: minimal text, authentic brand imagery
Keep text off your images. The platform favors authentic, visually striking creative. Good lighting and real product shots consistently outperform generic stock photography.
How to resize images to spec (landscape, square, portrait)
You need three separate files per image concept. Resize every asset to 1.91:1, 1:1, and 4:5. Miss one ratio and your Ad Strength score drops. Lower Ad Strength means less reach.
Step 3: Write Compelling Copy
Short character limits force clarity. That is a good constraint to work with.
Headline best practices (40 characters max)
Forty characters is tight. Lead with the benefit. Drop filler words. Test a direct product name against an outcome-driven phrase. At least one headline should be 15 characters or fewer.
Description copy (90 characters max)
Use all 90 characters. Describe what the user gets, not just what you sell. Write all 5 descriptions and let Google rotate them to surface the best performers.
Call-to-action messaging
Google Ads provides built-in CTA button options. Choose one that matches your campaign goal. "Shop now", "Learn more", and "Sign up" are common and proven.
Step 4: Create the Ad in Google Ads
Once assets are ready, the in-platform build moves fast.
Navigate to your campaign
Open Google Ads and select an existing Demand Gen campaign or create a new one. Choose your marketing objective from Sales, Leads, Website traffic, or No goal. Per Google's Ads Help Center, all four objectives are supported.
Upload all image aspect ratios
Go to the ad creation step. Upload your landscape, square, and portrait images separately. All three ratios are required for Good ad strength. Uploading only one or two limits where your ad can show.
Add headlines and descriptions
Enter up to 5 headlines (40 characters max each). Enter up to 5 descriptions (90 characters max each). Add your business name and logo. Review character counts before moving on.
Submit for review
Google reviews all ads for editorial and advertising policy compliance. Most reviews complete within one business day. Check Ad Strength before submitting. It flags missing or low-quality assets before they cost you reach.
How to Create Better Discovery Ads Faster
The manual workflow is slow. Three ratios per image concept, multiple product angles, and copy variants add up quickly.
Why manually creating images wastes time
Resizing one image to three aspect ratios, exporting each file, checking dimensions, and repeating across product variants takes hours. That is before you write or test any copy.
Generating professional images at scale
Coinis Image Ads generates high-quality creatives directly from a product URL. No design skills needed. Cutting-edge AI models produce images built for paid feed placements. Brand Profile keeps every creative on-brand automatically, so your headline copy and visual style stay consistent across all variants.
Resizing variants for all placements
Smart Resize inside Coinis Revise handles the ratio work for you. Generate your image once. Resize to landscape, square, and portrait in one click. Export all three files and upload them directly into Google Ads.
Coinis does not publish directly to Google Ads today. But it eliminates the most time-consuming part of the workflow: producing great creative fast, at spec, and at scale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Google Discovery ads still available?
No. Google automatically upgraded all Discovery campaigns to Demand Gen between January and March 2024. You can no longer create new Discovery campaigns. Use Demand Gen when building new campaigns. The creative requirements are the same.
What image sizes do I need for Google Discovery or Demand Gen ads?
You need three aspect ratios: landscape (1.91:1) at 1200 x 628 px, square (1:1) at 1200 x 1200 px, and portrait (4:5) at 960 x 1200 px. All images must be JPG or PNG under 5 MB. Covering all three ratios is required for Good ad strength.
What are the character limits for Google Discovery ad copy?
Headlines are capped at 40 characters each. Include at least one headline under 15 characters. Descriptions are capped at 90 characters each. You can add up to 5 headlines and 5 descriptions per ad.
Can Coinis publish ads directly to Google?
Not today. Coinis publishes directly to Facebook and Instagram. Google Ads support is on the roadmap. You can use Coinis Image Ads and Smart Resize to generate and resize creatives to Google spec, then upload them to Google Ads Manager yourself.