Creative used to be an afterthought in Google Ads. Not anymore. In 2025, creative drives performance — especially with campaign types like Performance Max, YouTube, and Discovery taking centre stage.
For NZ and AU advertisers, getting creative right is no longer optional. Your ads are seen in formats that rely on visual impact, emotional relevance, and mobile-first presentation. And with Google testing AI-generated ads based on your site content, you either control your creative — or Google will.
In this post, we break down what creative is actually converting in 2025, plus how smart advertisers are producing assets at scale without blowing their budget.
Creative Is Now a Performance Lever
It’s not just about message — it’s about matching format to funnel. YouTube thumbnails, responsive text headlines, image ratios — all these influence clicks and conversions.
Platforms prioritising creative:
- Performance Max: Assets dictate reach and placements
- YouTube: Visual-first attention and mid-funnel trust
- Display/Discovery: Click-throughs depend on image/text synergy
- Shopping: Image quality directly influences conversions
What’s Converting Now (NZ & AU Benchmarks)
- 15–30 second product demos outperform longer videos
- Strong lifestyle imagery outperforms basic packshots
- Text overlays on video improve comprehension and engagement
- Mobile-first ratios (4:5 and 1:1) get more placements and impressions
- Conversational headlines (not slogans) increase CTRs
Source: Aggregated campaign data across retail, SaaS, and service brands from Q1–Q2 2025.
Top Creative Formats for 2025
- Video: Product demos, founder explainers, client testimonials
- Image: Clean, mobile-optimised, high-res visuals with CTAs
- Responsive text: 10–15 short, varied headlines; 4+ descriptions
- GIFs/Light animation: Used in Display and YouTube bumpers
Case Example – Wellington Furniture Retailer
This retailer swapped static lifestyle imagery for 20-second animated videos showing furniture in use. CTR jumped 49%, with a 28% improvement in ROAS.
Key takeaway: same message, better format = more conversions.
Creative Testing Tips
- Run at least 2–3 variants per asset group
- Test video thumbnails just like ad headlines
- Review creative performance breakdowns in PMax Insights
- Use Google Ads Experiments to A/B test visuals or CTAs
- Start small: repurpose social or website content into ad assets
Final Thoughts
In 2025, ad creative is a growth multiplier. Google’s AI will help deliver your assets — but only if they’re relevant, engaging, and structured correctly.
Brands in NZ and Australia that invest in lightweight, mobile-first, use-case-led creative will outperform those still relying on generic imagery and copy.
The future of Google Ads is creative-led. Make sure your ads look and sound like your best salesperson.
Need a creative overhaul that actually drives performance?
Metrics Media helps NZ and AU businesses build, test, and scale ad creative that converts — fast.
📧 Book a Creative Performance Review today: info@metricsmedia.co.nz