Ad Specifications & Creative Guidelines
Everything you need to prepare your banner creative before purchasing an ad placement on OutboardListings.com.
Accepted Banner Sizes
We use four IAB-standard display ad sizes across 26 ad zones. When you purchase a zone, provide creative at the matching size below.
Medium Rectangle
300 x 250 px12 zones use this size
- ■Sidebar Top (Browse Page)
- ■Sidebar Bottom
- ■Banner Strip 1 / 2 / 3
- ■Sponsors Strip 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
- ■Forum Left Sidebar #2
- ■Forum Right Sidebar #2
- ■Weekender Sidebar
Wide Skyscraper
160 x 600 px5 zones use this size
- ■Blog Left Sidebar
- ■Directory Left Sidebar
- ■Forum Left Sidebar #1
- ■Forum Right Sidebar #1
- ■How It Works Left Sidebar
Leaderboard
728 x 90 px4 zones use this size
- ■Header Banner
- ■Footer Banner
- ■Weekender Hero Banner
- ■Weekender Bottom Banner
Full Banner
468 x 60 px5 zones use this size
- ■Between Listings (Browse Page)
- ■Forum Between Categories 1 / 2 / 3
- ■Weekender Between Events
File Requirements
All creative must meet the following requirements to be approved.
Accepted Formats
JPG, PNG, or GIF (static or animated)
Max File Size
500 KB per banner
Color Mode
RGB (sRGB recommended)
Animation Length
15 seconds max, loop limit 3x (GIF only)
Creative Guidelines
Do
- Design to the exact pixel dimensions listed above
- Use high-contrast text that is readable at banner size
- Include a clear call-to-action ("Shop Now", "Learn More", etc.)
- Keep file size as small as possible for fast load times
- Provide a destination URL (landing page) with your creative
- Use your own brand colors, logo, and imagery
Don't
- No flashing, strobing, or excessively distracting animation
- No misleading content (fake "close" buttons, fake system alerts)
- No auto-playing audio or video in banner creative
- No adult, illegal, or offensive content
- Do not exceed the max file size -- oversized files will be rejected
Creative Services
Don't have banner creative? We can build it for you.
Advertisers are expected to provide their own finished banner files -- that is the industry standard. However, if you need help, our in-house design team can create professional, click-ready banners for a flat fee.
Single Banner
$75 / banner
One size, one design. Delivered within 48 hours.
Full Set (all 4 sizes)
$199 / set
All four IAB sizes, consistent branding. Delivered within 72 hours.
To request a custom build, email your logo, brand colors, desired messaging, and landing page URL to:
[email protected]Creative services are billed separately from ad placement fees. One round of revisions is included.
How to Submit Your Creative
Purchase a Zone
Choose a tier and zone on the Advertise page, then complete checkout.
Upload in the Ad Wizard
After checkout, our self-serve ad wizard lets you upload your banner file and set your destination URL. The recommended size for your zone is displayed during upload.
Review & Go Live
Our team reviews your creative for guideline compliance. Approved ads go live within 24 hours with full impression and click tracking.
Common Questions
Can I use an animated GIF?
Yes. Animated GIFs are accepted in any zone. Keep the animation under 15 seconds and limit to 3 loops. Total file size must still be under 500 KB.
What if my creative is the wrong size?
Your banner will be resized to fit the zone, but this can cause quality loss. We strongly recommend designing to the exact pixel dimensions listed above for the best results.
Do you offer free ad design?
No -- ad creative is the advertiser's responsibility. However, we offer affordable creative-build services starting at $75 per banner if you need help. See the Creative Services section above.
Can I change my creative after going live?
Yes. You can update your banner image or destination URL at any time through your advertiser dashboard. Changes are reviewed and typically go live within 24 hours.
What happens if my ad is rejected?
We will email you with the specific reason and give you a chance to revise and resubmit. Common rejection reasons include exceeding the file-size limit, misleading content, or poor image quality.
Do I need a separate file for each zone?
Only if you are advertising in zones that use different sizes. For example, if you buy a Sidebar (300x250) and a Header Banner (728x90), you will need two separate files.
Ready to Advertise?
Browse open inventory and purchase your ad placement, or contact us if you have questions about creative requirements.