> Quick answer: Design Google Story ads at 1080×1920 pixels, 9:16 ratio. Center your subject. Keep text minimal and well away from the edges. Export as JPG or PNG under 5 MB. Upload directly to your Google Ads campaign.
What Are Google Story Ads?
Google Story ads are vertical, full-screen creatives that appear in fast-scrolling mobile feeds. They run inside Demand Gen and Performance Max campaigns.
Definition and Placement on YouTube Shorts and Google Discover
These ads appear on YouTube Shorts, Google Discover, and Gmail. They slot into vertical environments where attention is scarce and users scroll fast.
Why Vertical 9:16 Format Matters for Mobile Engagement
Mobile content is natively 9:16. An ad that fills the screen feels native. One that doesn't competes with black bars.
Performance Lift from Combining Video and Image Assets
Per Google's Creative Excellence Guide for Demand Gen Campaigns, advertisers who run both video and image ads see 6% more conversions per dollar than those running images alone. A strong still image carries real weight.
Technical Specifications for Google Story Ads
Get these specs confirmed before you design. Per the Google Ads Help Center, these are the hard requirements for 9:16 image assets.
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Vertical)
9:16 is the only accepted ratio for this placement. No landscape or square assets will qualify.
Minimum Dimensions: 600×1067 Pixels
This is the floor. Google rejects anything below this threshold.
Recommended Dimensions: 1080×1920 Pixels
Always design at 1080×1920. Google recommends this size for better quality. Design big and scale down. Scaling up a low-res source degrades the creative.
File Format: JPG or PNG
JPG suits photographs. PNG handles graphics that need transparency. No other formats are accepted.
Maximum File Size: 5 MB
Keep your exported file under 5 MB. Compress thoughtfully without sacrificing visible quality.
Safe Zones: Edges at Risk of Being Cropped
Per Google's asset specifications, safe zones for 9:16 images mirror those for YouTube Shorts video. All four edges can be cropped depending on the placement. Keep every critical visual and text element in the center 80% of the canvas.
Design Composition Best Practices
Place the right element in the right spot. Google's Demand Gen guidance and standard design principles agree on the same core rules.
Center Your Subject as the Focal Point
Put your subject in the middle vertical third. Eyes land there first. Safe zones reinforce this as a requirement, not a preference.
Use the Rule of Thirds for Visual Balance
Divide the canvas into a 3×3 grid. Place key elements at grid intersections. This creates natural visual tension and guides the eye.
Dedicate the Top Area for Headlines and Branding
The top of the frame is visible before a user finishes scrolling. Use it for a short headline or a brand element.
Reserve the Bottom Area for CTA Text and Supporting Copy
The bottom third works well for your call to action. One line beats two. Short beats clever.
Avoid Key Visuals and Text Near Edges
Edges get clipped. A face, product shot, or key word sitting at the frame edge may disappear on certain placements.
Plan for Safe Zones When Designing Text Placement
Design with a visible safe-zone guide layer active. Remove it before export. This habit prevents most cropping complaints.
Color, Contrast, and Readability
Use High Contrast Between Text and Background Colors
Per Google Ads creative guidance, strong contrast directly improves readability and impact. Low contrast text blends into the image on small screens.
Ensure Text Is Legible on Mobile Screens at Thumbnail Sizes
Zoom out your preview to 25%. If you can read the copy, most users can too.
Maintain Brand Color Consistency
Consistent colors build recognition across placements. Use your brand palette for backgrounds and accents.
Test Color Contrast for Accessibility
A 4.5:1 contrast ratio meets WCAG AA for normal text. Free tools like WebAIM's contrast checker take five seconds to use.
Text Overlay Best Practices
Minimize Text Overlay on the Image Itself
Per Google Ads policy (Google Ads Help Center, answer/13676244), excessive text overlay can reduce ad eligibility and limit delivery.
Keep Overlay Text Minimal and Strategic
One message per creative. Decide what that message is before you open any design tool.
One Strong Message. No Overstuffing.
More copy does not mean more conversions. Strip your overlay down to the one line that matters most.
Use Graphics or Captions Sparingly
Every element competes for attention. Add only what earns its place on the canvas.
Repeat CTA in Text, Graphics, or Voiceover
Per Google's Demand Gen asset specifications, repeating your CTA across text, graphics, and any accompanying video companion drives stronger response.
Image Quality and Asset Performance
Use High-Resolution Images to Build Brand Trust
Blurry or low-res images signal low quality instantly. High-resolution imagery builds credibility.
Avoid Collages, Logos Overlaid on Images, and Excessive Blank Space
Per Google Ads policy, brand logos overlaid on the primary image can violate ad policies. Incorporate branding naturally. Blank space wastes canvas.
Keep the Subject Clear and Compelling
One clear subject per creative. Clutter splits attention. Clarity converts.
Prioritize Native-Feeling, Authentic Imagery
Ads that look like organic content earn more engagement on mobile feeds. Polished but real beats over-produced.
Consider Product Imagery for E-Commerce Campaigns
If you sell products, show them. Product-forward imagery in a 9:16 frame performs well in Performance Max shopping campaigns.
Quick Design Workflow Using Coinis
Coinis Revise handles every step after you have a base creative. No design software required. Once your asset is ready, upload it directly to Google Ads.
Generate or Upload a Base Image
Use the Image Ads workflow to generate a creative from your product URL. Or upload an existing asset to start.
Use Smart Resize to Adapt to 9:16
Smart Resize converts any image to 9:16 automatically. It shows exactly how safe zones land on your content before you commit.
Use Variate to Test Composition Approaches
Variate generates multiple versions with different focal points and layouts. Test two or three approaches before you pick one to upload.
Use AI Upscale If Your Source Image Is Low-Resolution
AI Upscale sharpens and enhances low-res images toward Google's recommended 1080×1920 dimensions. No quality loss on export.
Edit Text Overlays and Positioning Directly in Revise
Edit text on image lets you place, move, and resize any text element on your creative. Keep it short. Keep it inside the safe zone.
Export and Upload to Your Google Ads Campaign
Export your final 9:16 asset and upload it directly into your Demand Gen or Performance Max campaign in Google Ads.
---
Or skip the steps.
Coinis Revise edits any ad image with AI. Move text. Change text. Swap colors. Erase objects. Translate to any language. One click each.
No design skills. No Photoshop. One click.
15 AI tokens a month. No credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended image size for a Google Story ad?
Google recommends 1080×1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. The minimum accepted size is 600×1067 pixels, but designing at 1080×1920 gives you better quality and avoids rejection.
Can I put text on a Google Story ad image?
Yes, but keep it minimal. Per Google Ads policy, excessive text overlay can reduce ad eligibility and limit where your ad is delivered. One short, high-contrast line is the safest approach.
What is a safe zone in a Google Story ad?
Safe zones are the areas of the canvas that won't be cropped when your ad appears on different placements. Per Google's asset specifications, all four edges of a 9:16 image are at risk of being cut. Keep all key visuals and text within the center 80% of the canvas.
What file format does Google accept for Story ad images?
Google accepts JPG and PNG formats only. Maximum file size is 5 MB. Use JPG for photographs and PNG for graphics that need transparency.