- Google discourages text overlays on images because static text blocks its AI from optimizing ad combinations.
- Add text as separate headline and description fields in Responsive Display Ads instead of on the image.
- Legally required disclosures must be pinned to Headline 1, 2, or Description 1, not baked into the image.
- If custom image text is a brand requirement, create it before upload using an AI design tool.
- Uploaded images must be JPG or PNG, max 5 MB, with key content inside the center 80% of the frame.
Quick answer: Google's system is built to mix and match your text with your images automatically. When you burn text into an image, you break that system. Use headline and description fields for text. Add text to an image only when your brand requires it, and do it before you upload.
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Why Text Overlays Aren't Recommended in Google Ads
Google's AI needs clean images. Text burned into an image becomes a static asset Google cannot touch or rearrange.
How text overlays limit Google's AI optimization
Responsive Display Ads work by mixing and matching headlines, descriptions, and images. Google tests thousands of combinations to find what converts.
When text is baked into an image, the AI cannot swap it for a better-performing headline. It cannot reuse that image with a different message. Every optimization path that involves that text is blocked.
The result: lower performance across placements.
Google's official guidance on image text
Google's best practices guide is direct: "Avoid inserting text on top of an image" and "Don't overlay a logo on top of an image."
Text and graphic overlays on image assets are also subject to policy restrictions. Per Google Ads policy documentation, ads with overlaid text may be disapproved or underperform because Google's system cannot optimize around them.
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The Right Way to Add Text to Google Display Ads
For most text, use the headline and description fields. Google assembles your creatives automatically.
Using Responsive Display Ads with headlines and descriptions
Responsive Display Ads support up to 5 short headlines, each 30 characters or fewer. You can add up to 5 descriptions at 90 characters each. Per Google Ads Help Center documentation, Google then assembles these assets into ad combinations across the Display Network automatically.
Add as many headline and description variations as you can. More variety gives Google more to test.
How to pin legally required text to headline/description positions
Some advertisers must show a specific disclosure in every ad. Financial services are a common example.
Google Ads policy requires that legally required text be pinned to Headline position 1, Headline position 2, or Description position 1. Do not bake it into the image asset. Use the pin function inside the Responsive Display Ad builder. That keeps the text compliant and dynamic.
Best practices for text placement in responsive ads
Keep headlines short and punchy. Thirty characters goes fast. Write each headline as a standalone phrase. Google may show any one of them on its own.
Descriptions fill in the detail. Ninety characters is enough for a value prop and a soft CTA.
Do not repeat the same message across all five headlines. Give Google real variety to work with.
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If You Need Custom Image Text: Creating Images Before Upload
Sometimes brand guidelines require a tagline or product name on the image itself. That is valid. Just do it before you upload.
When to add text directly to image assets
Adding text to an image makes sense when the visual and the copy are inseparable. Think a product shot with a sale price, or a localized creative with a city name in the headline area.
If the text changes per campaign, create a separate image for each version. Do not try to cover existing text with a logo in post.
Using AI tools to add branded text to images
Coinis Revise lets you add, move, and edit text on any image before you upload it to Google Ads. No design software needed. The Edit text on image capability handles repositioning and copy changes in one step.
Coinis does not publish directly to Google Ads today. Google Ads support is on the roadmap. You can create and refine your image assets in Coinis, download the finished files, then upload them manually to your Google Ads account.
Image format and quality requirements after text is added
Per Google Ads documentation, uploaded image assets must be JPG or PNG and no larger than 5 MB. Keep important content inside the center 80% of the image. Google may crop or resize assets across different placements. Text sitting near the edges can get cut.
For Responsive Display Ads, landscape images need a minimum of 600 x 314 px. Square images need at least 300 x 300 px.
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Putting It Together: Your Text + Image Workflow
Clean images plus strong headline copy win in Google Display.
Creating a high-performing Google Display Ad with text
- Start with a clean product or lifestyle image. No text burned in unless brand guidelines require it.
- If you need image-level text, create it in a tool like Coinis Revise first. Download the final file.
- Upload the image to Google Ads as an image asset.
- Write 5 headline variations (30 characters each) and 5 descriptions (90 characters each) in the ad builder.
- Pin any legally required text to Headline 1, Headline 2, or Description 1.
- Launch and let Google's AI find the best combinations.
Testing and optimizing text placement
After a week of impressions, check Google's asset performance labels. Headlines labeled "Best" are the ones Google favors. Swap out "Low" performers with fresh copy.
Keep image assets clean so they pair well with every headline combination. Do not test image text variations by re-baking new text onto the same image. Write a new headline instead. That is what the system is built for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will Google disapprove my ad if I add text to the image?
It depends on the context. Text overlays are subject to Google Ads policy restrictions and may be disapproved or underperform. Google's official best practices explicitly advise against them. Use headline and description fields to add text instead.
Can I pin specific text so it always shows in my Responsive Display Ad?
Yes. In the Responsive Display Ad builder, use the pin function to lock text to Headline position 1, Headline position 2, or Description position 1. This is required for legally required disclosures.
What image size should I use for Google Display Ads?
Upload both landscape images (minimum 600 x 314 px) and square images (minimum 300 x 300 px). Keep important content inside the center 80% of the image. Maximum file size is 5 MB in JPG or PNG format.
Does Coinis publish ads directly to Google Ads?
Not yet. Coinis publishes directly to Meta (Facebook and Instagram) today. Google Ads support is on the roadmap. You can use Coinis to create and edit your image assets, then upload them manually to Google Ads.