Overview of Display & The Google Display Network

Display Inventory and Ad Formats on the Google Display Network

Display Inventory

Display inventory on the Google Display Network can come from one of two sources: AdSense or the DoubleClick Ad Exchange.

•AdSense: AdSense publishers are the primary source of inventory on the Google Display Network, serving text, display, and video ads from AdWords on their sites.

 Publishers determine the type and size of ads they want to allow on their site, and then Google delivers ads that are relevant to their content through either contextual or placement targeting.

•DoubleClick Ad Exchange: Select inventory from the DoubleClick Ad Exchange is also part of the Google Display Network. All advertisers who are opted in to the Display Network [limited to certain regions] have access to DoubleClick Ad Exchange inventory. This allows your ads to appear on numerous DoubleClick Ad Exchange publisher sites in addition to those available through Google AdSense.

Advertisers can choose from a variety of media to communicate their marketing message on the Google Display Network, consisting of publisher partners, and on the DoubleClick Ad Exchange. Google has built out the tools and products needed to help you maximize results from both brand and product awareness campaigns and also direct performance campaigns that use display ads.

Ad Formats

The following display ad types are eligible to show on the Google Display Network:

•Text Ads: These are the most basic type of AdWords ads. They can be created directly in your AdWords account, and are often referred to as "sponsored links."

•Image Ads: AdWords image ads are graphical ads that can be static (motionless) or animated. You can create and upload your own image ads, or use the AdWords Display Ad Builder to create one. Image ads can also be served by any certified third party ad server. Learn more about the Display Ad Builder.

•Video Ads: Online video is one of the largest areas of media consumption, with an audience of hundreds of millions who are open and accustomed to advertising in video content. Google AdWords allows you to reach and engage this audience with video placements and ads, which can be uploaded directly into the AdWords interface or served by a certified third party ad server. Learn more about Video Ads.

•Rich Media Ads: Rich media ads allow you to more actively engage a web user than standard text or display formats. Rich media ads include video ads, Flash animated ads, and ads that mix text and animated content and designs. You can easily create these types of ads using the AdWords Display Ad Builder, or you can use existing rich media assets served through a third party ad server. Learn more about Rich Media Ads.