With the help of Google AI, you can generate new images, replace image backgrounds, auto enhance images, and create all the sizes you need to reach audiences across Google's advertising channels with Performance Max. Using Google AI for image generation can help you save time and resources while producing high-quality image assets tailored to your business and brand. Learn more About generative images in Google Ads.
On this page
- How to access the image editor
- How to generate an image
- How to edit an image
- How to save an image
- Guidelines for writing effective prompts
- Eligibility
- Generative image safety in Google Ads
- Related links
How to access the image editor
You can access the image editor from the asset library, or from the media picker when you're choosing images for a Performance Max asset group.
Open the image editor
- In your Google Ads account, on the page menu, click Tools
.
- Under "Shared library", select "Asset library".
- Click + New, then click Image.
- Click Generate and edit with AI.
- Select how you want to get started with the image editor:
- Choose image: Use an existing JPEG or PNG image. You can choose from your asset library or upload an image from your computer.
- Generate image: Generate a new image from a text prompt, using Google AI.
Edit a specific image
You can use this method if you find a specific image that you want to copy and edit, either in the asset library or when selecting images for a Performance Max asset group. Some media picker tabs may not have this option.
- Hover over the image you want to edit.
- Click More
in the corner of the image, then click Copy and edit with AI.
- In the media picker for Performance Max assets, you can also click the edit icon
while hovering.
- While viewing details about an image in the asset library, under "Actions", click Copy and edit with AI.
- In the media picker for Performance Max assets, you can also click the edit icon
in the corner of the image, then click Copy and edit with AI.
while hovering.Your edits will be made to a copy of the image, and the original will be unchanged.
How to generate an image
If you decide to generate a new image, you'll notice some example text prompts and images, and a panel on the right.
- In the right-hand panel, enter a text prompt describing the image you want.
- Click Generate.
- You'll have a choice of up to 8 images. Click a thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.
- Click Generate more to come up with more options. You can also edit the prompt as needed, or copy a previous prompt into the prompt box by hovering over the text and clicking the paste icon
.
- Click Apply when you're satisfied with the image. You can then make edits to the image if you'd like.
How to edit an image
When you open an image in the editor, it's displayed as a main image and 3 versions in different sizes as additional aspect ratios. You should edit the main image as edits will be reflected in the other aspect ratios.
A toolbar at the top of the image editor workspace lets you take the following actions when you're editing an image.
| Tool | Function |
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Revert image | |
| Zoom in | |
| Zoom out |
Crop an image
The image editor crops an image to 3 different sizes that match the recommended aspect ratios for landscape, portrait, and square image assets for Performance Max campaigns. Select a thumbnail in the panel to view the cropped version of the image in that aspect ratio. The cropped area of the image will be outlined by a rectangular frame.
You can adjust the cropped area with the following steps:
- Click and drag the middle of the cropped area to move the entire cropped area.
- Click and drag the corners of the frame to resize the cropped area. The cropped area will maintain the same aspect ratio.
Remove or restore an image’s aspect ratio
You can remove an aspect ratio you don't want with the following steps.
- In the side panel, hover the thumbnail for the aspect ratio you want to remove.
- Click the Remove tooltip
that appears in the corner of the thumbnail to remove it.
- To restore an aspect ratio you previously removed, click the Add button
for that aspect ratio.
that appears in the corner of the thumbnail to remove it.
for that aspect ratio.Replace an image’s background
Follow these steps to replace an image's background with a custom scene generated with help from Google AI.
- Click Replace background.
- If needed, you can adjust the foreground by selecting Remove or Restore and a brush size. Then, manually paint over the parts you want to exclude from or include in the foreground.
- Click Next when you're done reviewing the foreground.
- Enter a text prompt to generate a new background. Only prompts in English are currently supported. Review the guidelines for writing effective prompts.
- Click Generate.
- You'll have a choice of up to 4 backgrounds. Click a thumbnail to see your image with the selected background.
- Click Generate more again to come up with more options. You can also edit the prompt as needed.
- Click Apply when you're satisfied with the image's new background.
- Hover your cursor over the thumbnail of the background image.
- Click More
and then click Provide feedback.
- Enter the details of your feedback and click Send feedback.
and then click Provide feedback.This form allows you to mention whether you like the image or not. You can also mention why the image isn’t good enough to be added in the campaign. You can also write more about the image at the bottom.
Adjust color
You can improve an image's color and lighting with the Adjust color tool.
Auto enhance
Auto enhance automatically adjusts the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the image. This option will reset any manual adjustments.
Manual adjustment
- Using the sliders for manual adjustments shows an immediate effect on the preview of the image.
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Sepia
- Hue
- Invert (this is a toggle)
- Clicking the icon for a manual adjust property (for example the sun icon for Brightness) will reset that specific property.
- Clicking the “Reset” button at the bottom will undo all manually adjusted properties.
Once all adjustments have been made, click “Apply”.
How to save an image
When you're done editing an image, you can save it to your asset library with the following steps.
- Click Save.
- Enter the name you want to use for the edited image.
- Select the aspect ratios you want to save.
- Click Save.
In Google Ads, only the main image will appear in your asset library. However, any additional aspect ratios you saved will be available in the media selector when you're constructing an ad.
Guidelines for writing effective prompts
Follow these tips for best results when you write a description for the new background:
- Use more than one word. Try to add adjectives or context to nouns.
- List multiple attributes with commas rather than a descriptive paragraph.
- Specify any additional objects you want in the image.
- Include the mood, color scheme, or type of lighting.
Example prompts
- dinner table with yellow flowers, ambient light
- in the woods, optimistic, warm color palette, film still, cinematic lighting
- a solid backdrop with swirling pink satin, studio lighting, HD
- an outdoor summer scene with brightly colored flowers, sunny day, bright light
Content restrictions
Generative AI tools in Google Ads are designed to automatically limit the creation of certain content. This includes:
- Faces, children, or specific individuals
- Branded items and logos
- Responses to matters of opinion or advice
- Images that may violate Ads Policy or the Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy
If no images were created for a prompt you specified, try to reword it in a way that clearly avoids the content Google Ads isn’t designed to create. Prompts must be specified in English.
Assets created by generative AI aren’t guaranteed to be approved by Ads Policy. For example, sometimes assets are disapproved in combination with other assets, or in line with local regulation.
Review any generated or suggested assets to ensure that they’re accurate, not misleading, and not in violation of any Google advertising policies or applicable laws before you publish them.
Eligibility
Google restricts which advertisers have access to manually prompted image generation. If you don’t have the options to create generated images in Google Ads using your own prompts, check that you are using the Google Ads interface in English and that your account:
- Is active and been running ads for at least 30 days
- Has a history of policy compliance
- Has not completed Election Advertising Verification
- Is not advertising in a sensitive vertical (for example, sexual and political)
If your account is newer, you may still notice automatically suggested generative images to review when creating certain campaigns even if you can't use your own prompts.
Image generation capabilities are rolling out gradually to eligible advertisers, so these features may not be available to you yet, even if you’re otherwise eligible.
Generative image safety in Google Ads
We’re committed to upholding our principles for developing generative AI technology responsibly and at the highest standards for fairness, privacy, and security. We’re taking multiple steps to be both bold and responsible with helpful generative AI tools in Google Ads.
For example, Google AI is designed to not automatically suggest generative images for sensitive verticals, such as political or pharmaceutical ads. Note that in addition to limiting the use of Google's AI for political campaigns, Google Ads Policy requires disclosure of manipulated media uploaded from any third-party tools for certain political ads.
All advertising content is subject to Ads Policy, regardless of how it’s created, and generative AI content is held to the same set of content standards, reviews, and enforcement for any policy violations, including inappropriate content and misrepresentation.
All images generated by Google Ads include mechanisms that allow them to be identified as generated, such as an open-standard markup that will surface on tools like Google Image Search, as well as a SynthID, which is an imperceptible, digital watermark that is resistant to manipulations of the image, such as screenshots, filters, and compression.
We take privacy and security seriously, and any information you provide to Google to create ads, including generative AI, is treated in line with our Google Ads Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Note that generative AI is experimental technology, and may display inaccurate or offensive content that doesn’t represent Google’s views. Don’t rely on generative AI features in Google Ads for medical, legal, financial or other professional advice. As this technology evolves, we’re continuously evaluating and improving our approach to safety.
