Make Your Google AdSense Ads Expandable

Google has introduced expandable ads on the Google Content Network. This means advertisers can create more complex and interactive AdSense Ads.

"Expandable ads are rich media ads that can expand beyond the original size of the ad unit, following a user-initiated action," explains Courtney Chin on the Inside AdSense Blog.

The ads expand only when clicked upon. There will be no annoying mouseover popping up. They can expand up to double the size of the original ad format giving advertisers room for videos, social interaction, and other forms of user engagement. Or they can just include more information.

Upon expansion, webmasters displaying the ads will not have to worry about their content being shifted or distorted. The ads open as layovers and can be closed at anytime by the user. All standard AdWords image ad policies apply.

Just like with other ads, publishers can use the competitive ad filter to block contextual ads. They can also still use theAd Review Center.

At this point, the expandable ads are only available in limited beta testing in the United States to advertisers and agencies participating in Google’s 3rd Party Ad Serving Program. More information is available via the FAQ for expandable ads. There are also posts at Google’s Inside AdSense and Inside AdWords blogs.