How to Put Text on Google Ad

TL;DR: Google Ads text works in two ways. Write headlines and descriptions in native text fields, or embed text directly into image assets. Native fields are the simpler path. Image overlays work too, but legibility is a hard requirement, not a suggestion.

How Google Ads Handles Text: The Two Paths

Text in Google Ads lives in two distinct places. Know which one to use before you open Ads Manager.

Text fields in Google Ad formats

Most Google Ads formats use structured text fields. You write headlines and descriptions separately from your images. Google assembles them dynamically across placements and auction contexts.

This is the cleanest approach. No design work required. Google handles layout automatically, optimizing which combinations appear for each user.

Text overlays on image assets

For Display, Performance Max, and Demand Gen campaigns, you supply image assets. You can add text directly to those images before uploading. Google does not auto-overlay text onto your images for you. What you upload is what runs.

Both approaches are valid. Most advertisers use both.

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Method 1: Add Text via Headlines and Descriptions

Text ads: headlines and description fields

Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) are the standard search format today. Per Google's Ads Help Center, RSAs support up to 15 headlines and up to 4 descriptions per ad. Google tests combinations and serves the best-performing mix.

Each headline is capped at 30 characters. Each description is capped at 90 characters. Those limits are tight. Every word earns its place.

If text must appear in every ad. A legal disclaimer, for example. Pin it to Headline position 1, Headline position 2, or Description position 1. Pinning locks that asset into every impression.

Responsive display ads: multiple headline and description options

Responsive Display Ads (RDAs) work differently from RSAs. Per Google Ads documentation, you can supply up to 5 short headlines at 30 characters each, plus one long headline at 90 characters. You can also add up to 5 descriptions and a business name field capped at 25 characters.

Google mixes these assets across placements automatically. More variety means more combinations for Google to test.

Character limits and best practices

Lead with your strongest value prop in the first headline. 30 characters is not much room for setup.

Descriptions add context. Use the 90-character space to answer the obvious follow-up question your headline raises. Cut filler words first. Every character counts.

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Method 2: Add Text Overlays to Image Assets

What Google allows and restricts

Google permits text on image assets. But the text must be legible. Per Google's image quality requirements, blurry or illegible text will get your creative rejected. Keep overlays minimal. Text should support the visual, not fight it.

When text overlay works (embedded product images vs. added overlays)

There is an important distinction here. Text that appears naturally in a product photo. A brand name on a label, a logo on a piece of clothing. Is treated differently from text you add to an image afterward.

Naturally embedded text is part of the original image. It does not need to follow overlay rules. Added text does.

If you are adding a headline, discount badge, or call-to-action to an image, that counts as an overlay. Design it with intention. High contrast. A readable font size. Enough space around the text so it breathes.

Text quality and legibility requirements

Google's image quality policy is direct. Illegible text is not permitted. Small, crowded, or low-contrast text fails review. Treat legibility as a hard requirement.

Also keep in mind. Per Google's Performance Max image asset guidance, critical content should stay within the center 80% of the image. Content near the edges may be cropped depending on the placement.

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Best Practices for Text in Google Ads

Keep text clear and legible

High contrast between text and background. Large enough to read on a phone screen. Simple, clean fonts. Avoid decorative scripts that sacrifice readability for style.

Use native text fields first

If you can say it in a headline or description, use a native field. Native fields give Google more flexibility to optimize delivery. Overlays lock in one version with no room for testing.

Avoid text-heavy image designs

Google's guidance is consistent. Let visuals lead. Text overlays should be supporting elements. An image crammed with copy typically underperforms a clean visual with a short, clear label.

Test with different placements

Text that reads clearly in a square 1:1 crop may be cut off in a 1.91:1 landscape crop. Check your image at every aspect ratio you plan to run. Misaligned or cropped text looks unprofessional and can hurt performance.

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Create and Edit Image Ads with AI

AI-powered image generation and editing tools

Coinis does not publish directly to Google Ads today. That is on the roadmap. But Coinis is where many advertisers build their image assets before uploading to any platform, Google included.

The Image Ads workflow generates ad creatives from a product URL. On-brand visuals, ready to download and drop into Google Ads Manager.

How to generate images with custom text

For text edits on existing creatives, Coinis Revise handles it fast. The Edit text on image capability lets you change, move, or add text to any image without touching a design tool. Adjust the headline on a product shot. Move a CTA badge to a different position. Done in one click.

Scaling text variations for different audiences

Running the same visual across different audiences or markets. Use Revise to adapt fast. Variate generates multiple versions from one base creative. AI Translate localizes copy for different languages. Smart Resize adjusts dimensions across aspect ratios.

Design once. Adapt quickly. Upload to Google.

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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.

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15 AI tokens a month. No credit card.