24/12/2025
Before I launch any image ad, it has to pass 7 brutal checks.
Fail even one and it gets deleted.
No exceptions.
1. Can I read it in under 2 seconds?
If I have to squint or reread anything, it's dead.
Your customer is scrolling at light speed. They're not studying your ad like it's a museum piece.
Two seconds or trash.
2. Does my eye know where to look first?
If I'm confused about where to start reading, your customer is already gone.
There should be one clear entry point. One obvious focal point.
No visual chaos.
3. Is the hook legible on mobile?
I check every ad on my phone before it goes live.
If the text is too small, too blurry, or buried under the caption, it's worthless.
90% of your traffic is mobile. Design for phones, not desktop.
4. Does contrast make the product pop?
If your product blends into the background, nobody sees it.
Your image needs contrast so aggressive it almost hurts.
Muted aesthetic Instagram vibes don't sell. High contrast does.
5. Is text under 20 words?
If you need a paragraph on your image ad, you're doing it wrong.
Every extra word cuts your read rate in half.
Ruthlessly cut until only the essential message remains.
6. Does it align with the landing page?
If your ad promises one thing and your page delivers another, conversion dies.
The visual style, messaging, and offer should feel like the same conversation.
No bait and switch.
7. Would I click it?
This is the final filter.
If I wouldn't click my own ad, why would anyone else?
Most people skip this question because they're scared of the answer.
I've seen too many advertisers launch image ads that fail 4 out of 7 checks.
Then they wonder why performance sucks.
Your ad doesn't get a participation trophy.
It either passes all seven or it doesn't launch.
Simple as that.
