Digital Advertising Creative Specifications

Ad Linking

URL Format

Your ads can link to any public web address. This includes single website pages and also pages with download links.


URL Downloads

Your URL cannot trigger an automatic download of any file. If you have  files, such as PDF's for a visitor to download, then first create a page with the various links the user can click upon to initiate the download. Example


Secure Website

Your site should be secure, meaning the web page starts with "https://".


Site Privacy Policy and Site Agreement

Your site should contain a clear and obvious privacy policy. At a minimum the user need to be able to opt out of cookie tracking. It is also best practice to include a Site Agreement


Example of Privacy Policy

Example of Site Agreement


UTM Tracking

You may include UTM tracking for your ads. As a default, Digital Throttle will always include UTM parameters on your behalf. Our default parameters will be:

source = "digitalthrottle"

medium = (will be the type of ad such as "banner", "social", "search", etc.)

campaign = will be a number corresponding to the order details and invoicing.


To build your own UTMs, please use this free page. Please note the best practices for building your own UTMs:


a. Lowercase only

b. avoid spaces, use "_" instead

c. avoid special characters


Example of a properly formatted UTM:


https://www.offroadparts.guide/?utm_source=digitalthrottle&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=15781916


Short Video Explaining UTMs HERE

 

IAB Banner

STANDARD GIF / PNG / JPEG

  Dimensions Max File Size GIF / JPEG Animated GIF
Leaderboard 728 x 90 150K 3 Loop Max

15 secs Max Animation

No Flashing or Strobing
Med. Rectangle 300 x 250 150K
Wide Skyscraper 160 x 600 150K
Mega Wide Skyscraper 300 x 600 150K

RICH MEDIA - EXPANDABLES

(AVAILABLE ON LIMITED SITES ONLY)
  Initial Dimensions Animation Initial Max File Size Expanded Dimensions Panel Expansion Final Max File Size
Leaderboard 728 x 90 3 loop max 40K 728 x 270 Down 100k
Rectangle 300 x 250 15 seconds
max animation		 40K 500 x 250 Left / Right 100k
Wide Skyscraper 160 x 600 Click to expand
User Initiated Audio		 40K 300 x 600 Left / Right 100k

THIRD PARTY

Digital Throttle Supports Most third-party ad servers and accepts iFrame and JavaScript Tags
  • Xandr (AppNexus)
  • Atlas
  • Datalogix
  • Double Click
  • Eyewonder
  • Interpolis
  • MediaMind
  • Mediaplex
  • Nexac
  • Point Roll
  • Spongecell
  • Tumri

ADVERTISING ICON

Ad Marker Container Dimensions
Size:
77 x 15 px
Design:
Round Circle with "i" icon
Placement:
Top right corner of creative
Application:
Ad Choices

InStream Video Ad

Build an HTML Display Banner by combining your YouTube video and graphics. The graphic  you utilize can be clicked to any URL you specify.

Notes:
[1] You set the YouTube video to "autoplay" with sound on mute. See sample files for detail. BUT: the autostart option is not able to display on mobile or tablet devices and some platforms may not allow. Recommend you only run max 15 second videos for autostart versions.

Two Sizes Available to Build:

[Static Image to build is 300x81]

[Static images need to be 300px wide and total height of 331 px. Example here is 300x81 on top and 300x250 on bottom]
300x250 Where Video is Click to Play

Edelbrock Mustang eForce Supercharger

See More Examples
300x600 Where Video is Autostart
(may need to refresh this page to view)

Edelbrock Mustang eForce Supercharger

Edelbrock Mustang eForce Supercharger

Responsive Banner

Certain platforms, such as Google and YouTube make use of dynamically-sized ads as opposed to the standard banner sizes as shown above.

With responsive display ads, you can upload your assets (images, headlines, logos, videos, and descriptions), and Google will automatically generate ad combinations for websites, apps, YouTube, and Gmail. Responsive display ads can be used in Display campaigns.

SPECS:

Images: Add 2 or more high quality images (1 square, 1 landscape, 1 portrait required) 

  • 1200x628 Recommended, Minimum of 600 x 314 pixels required
  • 1200x1200 Recommended, Minimum of 300 x 300 pixels required
  • 900x1600 Recommended, Minimum of 450 x 800 pixels required


Logo: two logo sizes. Ideally in PNG format

1200x300
1200x1200

YouTube Video: (optional): send us the "share" link

TEXT DETAILS:


Main Headline

  • 30 Characters


Long Headline

  • 90 Characters


Description

  • 90 Characters


See Examples

PMAX Ad Specifications

Performance Max Details

SPECS:

Images: Add 2 or more high quality images (1 square, 1 landscape, 1 portrait required) 
  • 1200x628 Recommended, Minimum of 600 x 314 pixels required
  • 1200x1200 Recommended, Minimum of 300 x 300 pixels required
  • 960x1200 Recommended, Minimum of 450 x 800 pixels required
Logo: two logo sizes. Ideally in PNG format
  • 1200x300
  • 1200x1200

YouTube Video: Aspect ratio of horizontal (16:9), square (1:1), or vertical (9:16); and greater than or equal to 10 seconds in duration.

If you don't add a video to your Performance Max asset group, then one or more video assets might be generated from the assets in your asset group. If you no longer want auto-generated videos to serve in your Performance Max campaign, then you can upload your own custom video, and the auto-generated videos will stop serving.

Ad Specifications: Pre-Roll Video 

IN-BANNER VIDEO

  Dimensions Max File Size Animation
In-Banner 300 x 250 Maximum initial load: 40K Polite file size / low bandwidth and 1MB / high bandwidth for video
  • Audio and video ;length: 15 seconds recommended (30 maximum)
  • Cannot exceed 24 frames per second
  • May Auto- Start but only muted & max 15 seconds
  • Cannot have constantly animating elements
  • User must click to initiate streaming video
  • Audio must be user initiated with standard controls ( e.g. play, pause, audio, mute and stop)
  • Start, stop and mute buttons are required

HOSTED PRE-ROLL VIDEO

  Compression Aspect Ratio Frame Rate Depth Key Frames Optimal Resolution Audio Max File Size
MPEG-4 H.264 16:9 24FPS Millions of Colors 640 x 360
  • Format:AAC
  • Sample Rate: 48,00khz
  • Sample Size: 16-bit
  • Channels: Stereo (L,R)
 2 MB - 15 sec
4 MB - 30 sec

THIRD-PARTY VAST 2.0 TAGS ACCEPTED

Digital Throttle supports most third-party ad servers and accepts VAST 2.0 tags. VPAID possible but needs to be tested
  • AppNexus
  • Atlas
  • Double Click
  • EyeView
  • Eyewonder
  • Innovid
  • Mixpo
  • Media Point 
  • PointRoll
  • Spongecell
  • Telemetry
  • VideoHub 
  • Videology

HOSTED PRE-ROLL COMPANION

  Dimensions File Type Max File Size
THIRD-PARTY COMPANION Provide iFrame URL for companion only 300 x 250 .gif, .jpeg, .swf or PNG 40K

THIRD-PARTY TRACKING

Impression Tracking Yes Supply 1x1 tracking tag
Click Tracking Yes Supply STD Clicktag

THIRD-PARTY EVENT TRACKING 

If desired, provide separate tags to measure view-through qualities: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%

YOUTUBE CAMPAIGNS 

Ad Sizes Formats Max File Audio Border
300x60 - Companion GIF, JPG, PNG, HTML5 150 KB No Audio Creatives with partially black or white backgrounds must have a visible border of a contrasting color.
YouTube Video YouTube Public Link Under :30 seconds
Certain platforms, such as Google and YouTube make use of dynamically-sized ads as opposed to the standard banner sizes as shown above.

Display ads on YouTube display advertising appear to the right of a video player in the corner of the screen, and they’re only available for advertising on desktop. 

TEXT DETAILS:


Main Headline

  • 15 Characters


Long Headline

  • 90 Characters


Description

  • 70 Characters


See Examples

High Impact: Side Skins

Sites have final approval on skin designs. Please supply artwork no less than two (2) weeks prior to launch date.

SIDE SKIN PROPERTIES 

(STATIC ONLY - NO ANIMATION)
  Dimensions Max File Size - GIF / PNG / JPEG Max File Size HTML5
Skin 300 x 1050 80K 80K

STATIC GIF / PNG / JPEG 

Additional Details Creative messaging should stay within the safe area of 160 x 700 pixels.

Secondary Images & artwork and copy may extend beyond the safe area Provide a separate left and right 300x1050.

Skins will scale @ max 10% larger @ 70% smaller to fit within PC screen dimensions.

* Third party accepted: please provide a 1 x1 and click tag. You may also supply “left” and “right” or one single set.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Safe & Bonus Areas

Our skins use the extra space on both sides of the page content to display full graphic skins. Skins are only displayed when a minimum monitor size of 1280 x 768 is detected. The actual screen resolution, minus the content is considered the “safe area” and where you should place your essential copy. The space seen on monitors larger than 1280 x 768 is the “bonus area” and should be used only for secondary imagery and text to enhance the look and feel of the primary safe area. 

Image

Use the same image (a mirror-image is preferred) must be used on the left and right skins. Be sure to index any text to right or left edge. 

Colors & Blending 

Skins are NOT banners that need to stand out in a crowd. As such. use subtle colors and graphics. Note we will apply a matching background color beyond the Bonus Area”to blend your design into the site. Please use only one background color and fade/blend to the outer edges. 

High Impact: Floating Footer & Custom Units

FLOATING FOOTER HIGH IMPACT ADS

Dimensions Max File Size - GIF / JPEG Expendable Expand Direction Max Expand
728 x 90 pixels 80K 990 X 550 UP 100K

THIRD-PARTY TRACKING

Impression Tracking Click Tracking Third Party Ad Serving
Yes Yes Yes

NOTES

Animation: 
Yes, See specs 
Expansion: 
Yes, Click only & Obvious “[X] Close Button” 
Global Frequency Cap: 
Max 3 footer ads per day per site 
Alternative Size: 
May run 72x90, but not advisable

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

Digital Throttle's Recommended Ad Specs for Facebook Advantage+

Images: Use aspect ratios from 1:1 to 1.91:1, with 1:1 being optimal for mobile.

Videos: Include videos between 1:1 and 16:9 ratios; 1:1 and 16:9 are recommended, but any ratio in this range is effective.

Combining Ratios: For 4:5 or 9:16 ratios, pair with a standard size (1:1 for images, or 16:9 for videos) to avoid autocropping.

Placement Ratio Pixel Size File Type Video Sound Auto Crop
Newsfeed 1:1 , 16:9 , 1.91:1 1080x1080 ; 1920x1080, 1080x608 JPEG, PNG, MP4, MOV or GIF Optional, but recommended Images and videos are auto-cropped to 1:1 if their vertical dimensions exceed their horizontal dimensions​​.
Stories/Reels 9:16, 4:5 1080x1920 , 1080x1350 JPEG, PNG, MP4, MOV or GIF Optional, but recommended When creating Meta ads with a 9:16 aspect ratio, focus on centering essential content within the 4:5 aspect ratio, known as the "Safe Zone Guard Rail." This prevents overlap with profile icons or call-to-action buttons and ensures crucial overlays and information remain visible in various viewing formats.
Right Column 1.91:1 , 16:9 1080x608 ; 1920x1080 JPEG, PNG, MP4, MOV or GIF Optional, but recommended

Facebook
Text Details

  • Primary Text: No limit, recommend 125-750 characters.
  • Headline:  Recommended 25 characters for mobile placements, but up to 40 is allowed.
  • Description: 30 characters 

Technical Requirements

  • Video Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes
  • Maximum File Size: 4GB
  • Minimum Width: 1080 pixels
  • Minimum Height: 1080 pixels


Instagram

Text Details

  • Primary Text: No limit, recommend 125-750 characters.
  • Maximum Number of Hashtags: 30

Technical Requirements

  • Video Duration: 1 second to 60 minutes
  • Maximum File Size: 250MB
  • Minimum Width: 1080 pixels



  • Facebook Ad Layout Guidelines for Advantage +

    Facebook Ad Layout Guidelines for Advantage+


    This format lays out the three key ad formats for Facebook - square, horizontal, and vertical - and explains how to use them in conjunction with the Advantage+ feature for optimal display and effectiveness across all Facebook platforms.


    Best Practice Combination for Facebook Ads:

    Recommended Combination: 1:1, 9:16, and 1.91:1 (Photo) / 16:9 (Video) for comprehensive optimization across all Facebook platforms.


    Video Aspect Ratios for Facebook Ads:

    1:1 to 16:9 Range:

    Aspect ratios from 1:1 to 16:9 are suitable and won't be autocropped.

    16:9 is the standard YouTube size, commonly used alongside 1:1.


    Photo Aspect Ratios for Facebook Ads:

    1:1 to 1.91:1 Range:

    Suitable aspect ratios range from 1:1 to 1.91:1, avoiding autocropping.1:1 is particularly effective for mobile placements.



    Special Note on 9:16 & 4:5 Sizes:

    Ideal for Stories and Reels:

    The 9:16 size is perfect for Facebook Stories and Reels. However, when used alone without accompanying sizes, it will be autocropped.


    Combined Aspect Ratio Requirements for Facebook Ads:

    4:5 or 9:16 Cannot Stand Alone:

    Should be paired with a 1:1 or a 1.91:1 (Photo) / 16:9 (Video) for optimal use of Facebook's Advantage+ feature.


    Best Practice Combination for Facebook Ads:

    Recommended Combination: 1:1, 9:16, and 1.91:1 (Photo) / 16:9 (Video) for comprehensive optimization across all Facebook platforms.


    Specific Placement Guidelines:

    Feed Placements: Images and videos are auto-cropped to 1:1 if their vertical dimensions exceed their horizontal dimensions​​.


    Stories/Reels: The 4:5 ratio has a "Safe Zone Guard Rail" represented by yellow bars. This guardrail indicates safe areas for placing overlays to avoid overlap with the profile icon or call-to-action. Everything outside the yellow zone is a 4:5 Aspect Ratio​​.



  • Digital Throttle Video Ad Size Requirements

    To adhere to our Digital Throttle Best Practices for social media ads, please prepare two ad sizes: one for the newsfeed (preferably square 1:1 or horizontal 16:9 ) and another for stories (vertical/portrait video 9:16). If a portrait video is unavailable, we can create one by overlaying a stretched and blurred background version beneath the original video.  See Example Below:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TKCVv5TaHnmKqLumMATW5qTOYzUoKI9E/view?usp=sharing

Search Engine Marketing: Google & Bing

SEM

SEM or search engine marketing is using paid strategies to increase search visibility. It is also referred to as paid search or pay per click. 

AD TEXT DETAILS:

Top Headings
Headline #1 - 30 Max Characters 
Headline #2 - 30 Mas Characters
Headline #3 - 30 Max Characters

Lower Descriptions
Description #1 - 90 Max Characters
Description #2 - 90 Max Characters