Creative guidelines for Stack Overflow and Stack Exchange

Learn about the creative guidelines for Stack Overflow Advertising.

Advertisements must not mimic Stack Overflow or Stack Exchange content, they must be distinct.
Ads with a white or light background must include a dark 1 pixel border that clearly distinguishes the ad from the content.

Image formats:
- JPEG/JPG
- PNG
- Max file size per creative is 150KB
Light animation formats:
- HTML5
- GIF
- Max initial load size per creative is 200KB
- Limit looping to 3 times across 15 seconds
We do not accept pop-ups, expandable ads, rollover ads, floating ads, or other multimedia ads.

Logos
- Advertiser's logo or brand name must be in the creative.
- Any creative using another company's logo or name must provide proof of permission to use.
Copy
- All text must be clearly legible on varying screen sizes.
- Creative must have a clear call to action (CTA).
- - Examples of clear CTAs are:
  - - Free Trial
    - Learn More
    - Watch Video
  - Examples of a non-clear CTA is:
  - - Click Here
- Any claims or comparisons made within the creative must be accurate and verifiable.
- Proof, complete with source and date of the evidence, must be shown on the creative or landing page.
Landing Pages
- Creative messaging and landing page must match. Ads can't talk about one thing and the landing page another.
- Advertiser landing pages must be mobile-friendly.

For Stack Overflow-managed creatives, advertisers are required to send creative assets to their Stack Overflow Customer Success Manager no later than 5 business days before the target launch date. Failure to provide creatives on this timeline could result in a delay of your campaign and the inability to deliver your campaign as expected.
For Advertiser-managed creatives, all creative themes (style + substance) must be reviewed by your Stack Overflow Customer Success Manager no later than 3 business days before the target launch date. This also applies to creatives updated during the course of a campaign. If creatives are not visible to Stack Overflow for any reason, examples should be sent by screenshot or test page from the Advertiser.
Stack Overflow reserves the right to pause or cancel a campaign if creatives are not in compliance with our ad specifications.
Per IAB terms and conditions, Stack Overflow reserves the right to reject ads that are deemed inappropriate for the space, given the types and themes of content, including content type and audience.

Stack Overflow allows wraps for IAS, MOAT, and Double Verify tags.
Retargeting pixels are allowed for a limited number of vetted and pre-approved Programmatic partners.

Last updated April 28, 2025

Creative Requirements