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Responsive Search Ad preview tool.
Write your headlines and descriptions and see how Google may show your ad on desktop and on a phone. Free, no sign-up, and your ad text stays in your browser until you share it.
How to use the preview
- Add your business and link. The display path is the two short words after your domain, such as /seo/audit.
- Write 3 or more headlines. Make each one work alone, because Google can place them in any order.
- Write 2 or more descriptions. Add a reason to click and a clear next step.
- Check desktop and mobile. Press Another combination to see how different headlines sit together.
- Share or copy it. Send the link to a colleague or client, or copy the text into Google Ads.
Responsive Search Ad limits
| Part of the ad | How many | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Headlines | 3 to 15 | 30 characters each |
| Descriptions | 2 to 4 | 90 characters each |
| Display path | 2 fields | 15 characters each |
| Sitelink text | 2 or more to show | 25 characters |
| Sitelink lines | 2 optional lines | 35 characters each |
| Callouts | Several, optional | 25 characters each |
Google usually shows Headline 1 and Description 1. The second and third headline and the second description can appear when there is room and when Google predicts they will perform well. If a line must always show, pin it to headline position 1 or 2, or to description position 1.
Tips for stronger ad copy
- Put the words people search for in a few of your headlines, and keep them in plain language.
- Mix different kinds of headline: what you do, a proof point, an offer and a call to action.
- Do not repeat the same idea in every headline. Repeats give Google nothing new to test.
- Keep claims you can back up on the landing page, so the click matches the promise.
- Use callouts and sitelinks to add facts that do not fit in the headline.
Common questions
What is a Responsive Search Ad?
It is a Google Ads text ad where you write up to 15 headlines and up to 4 descriptions. Google tests different combinations and learns which ones work best for each search.
Is the preview exactly how my ad will look?
No. It is a close guide. Google chooses the headlines, descriptions and extras for each search, and the layout changes with the device, the query and the space available. Use it to check length, order and wording.
How many headlines and descriptions can I add?
You need at least 3 headlines and 2 descriptions, and you can add up to 15 headlines and 4 descriptions. Headlines can be 30 characters and descriptions 90 characters.
What does pinning do?
Pinning keeps a headline or description in one position. Text pinned to headline position 1 or 2, or description position 1, shows every time. Every position still needs something to fill it, and if every position is pinned, unpinned text will not show. Pinning can also lower ad strength, so this tool lets you pin up to 2 headlines (to positions 1, 2 or 3) and up to 2 descriptions (to positions 1 or 2), one text per position. Pin only what must appear.
Is my ad text saved anywhere?
Only in your own browser, so it is still there when you come back on the same device. We do not receive it unless you press Copy share link. That saves the ad text on our server so the short link can open it, and we use it for nothing else. Anyone with the link can open your ad. The one other outside request is the small site icon, which Google supplies from the domain alone.
Is the tool free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no limit on how many ads you preview.
Want us to run your ads?
We build and manage Google Ads campaigns around cost per enquiry.