- Google carousel (swipe) ads are built inside Demand Gen campaigns, not Discovery.
- Upload 2–10 images per carousel. Google recommends at least 5 for best reach.
- Every card in one carousel must share the same aspect ratio: 1.91:1, 1:1, or 4:5.
- Sequence your images like a story. Google shows them in the order you upload.
- Each card supports its own headline (40 chars), description (90 chars), and destination URL.
- Coinis Image Ads generates carousel-ready creatives from a product URL before you upload to Google.
What Are Google Carousel Ads?
Google calls them carousel ads. Advertisers often call them swipe ads. They are the same format: multi-image creatives that scroll horizontally inside Google feeds.
Definition and where they appear
Carousel ads appear across four Google surfaces: the Discover Feed, Gmail, YouTube, and the Google Display Network. Images render natively in each placement. Readers swipe through them without leaving the page.
Per Google's Ads Help Center, each image displays in the exact order you upload it. Sequence matters from the start.
Difference from single-image ads
A single image tells one story. A carousel tells a sequence. You get up to 10 cards to build momentum, show a process, or walk through a narrative. Each card can carry its own headline, description, and destination URL. That is more flexibility and more surface area for your message.
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Step-by-Step: How to Create a Google Carousel Ad
Set up or open a Demand Gen campaign
Carousel ads only exist inside Demand Gen campaigns. Open Google Ads, click New Campaign, and select Demand Gen as your objective. Discovery campaigns do not support this format.
Go to the ad creation section
After setting your budget and targeting, move to the ad group level. Ads are created there, not at the campaign level.
Select carousel ad format
Inside the ad creation panel, choose Carousel ad from the format options. You will see fields for multiple images instead of a single creative slot.
Upload your images
Upload 2 to 10 images. All images in one carousel must share the same aspect ratio: horizontal (1.91:1), square (1:1), or vertical (4:5). Mixing ratios is not allowed. Google recommends at least 5 images for better reach across placements.
Add headlines, descriptions, and URLs
Each card takes its own headline (up to 40 characters) and description (up to 90 characters). Write copy that flows from card to card. A user swiping through should feel like they are reading a story, not scanning a random product grid.
Set up card-level CTAs
Each card supports an individual CTA and destination URL. You can send card one to your homepage, card two to a product page, and card three to a sale landing page. Or point all cards to one URL. Either approach works.
Review and submit for approval
Check that every card meets spec requirements before submitting. Per Google's policy documentation: if one card is disapproved before your carousel goes live, the entire carousel is marked as limited. After the carousel goes live, the remaining approved cards continue to serve even if one card is later disapproved.
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Image Specifications for Google Carousel Ads
Image dimensions and aspect ratios
Per Google's Demand Gen creative specifications:
| Aspect Ratio | Minimum Resolution | Recommended Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal (1.91:1) | 600 × 314 px | 1200 × 628 px |
| Square (1:1) | 300 × 300 px | 1200 × 1200 px |
| Vertical (4:5) | 480 × 600 px | 960 × 1200 px |
File size limits
Each image has a maximum file size of 5 MB. Smaller files load faster, which matters most for mobile users on Discover.
Recommended number of images
Google recommends a minimum of 5 images per carousel. Two images will technically run, but more cards give Google's delivery system more to work with across placements.
Important: keep all cards in the same aspect ratio
You cannot mix horizontal, square, and vertical images inside one carousel. Pick one ratio and commit. To test formats, build two separate carousels with different ratios.
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Best Practices for Carousel Ad Performance
Tell a story in sequence
Do not drop your top 10 products in random order. Start with a hook on card one, build context in the middle, and close with a clear action on the final card. Google's best practices documentation explicitly recommends narrative sequencing over product grids.
Test horizontal vs. square formats
Google's guidance suggests running one horizontal carousel and one square carousel side by side. Square tends to perform stronger on mobile. Horizontal often works better on desktop Discover. Let the data decide.
Ensure mobile-first design
Most Discover and Gmail traffic is mobile. Keep any text on images large and readable at small sizes. One clear visual focus per card. Avoid clutter.
Use consistent branding across cards
Colors, fonts, and overall style should match across every card. A carousel that looks like it was assembled from three different shoots loses trust fast.
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How Coinis Image Ads Accelerates Your Process
Building a 5–10 card carousel from scratch takes time. Sourcing images, cropping to the right ratio, and keeping branding consistent across every card adds friction before you even open Google Ads.
Coinis Image Ads generates on-brand creatives from a product URL. Paste your URL, and cutting-edge AI models produce multiple image variations styled to your brand. Your Brand Profile stores your colors, tone, and visual identity so every card looks like it came from the same shoot.
You still upload and assemble the carousel inside Google Ads. Coinis handles the creative production before you get there. No design software. No stock photo searching. Images ready to upload.
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Or let Coinis do it.
From a product URL to a live Meta campaign. AI-generated creatives. On-brand copy. Direct publish to Facebook and Instagram. Real performance reporting. All in one platform.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What campaign type do I need to run a Google carousel ad?
Carousel ads are only available inside Demand Gen campaigns. You cannot create them inside Discovery, Search, or Performance Max campaigns.
Can I mix horizontal and square images in one Google carousel?
No. All images in a single carousel must share the same aspect ratio. If you want to test different ratios, create separate carousels for each.
How many images should I include in a Google carousel ad?
Google allows 2 to 10 images per carousel and recommends at least 5 for stronger delivery across placements. More images give the algorithm more flexibility.