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To choose images for Microsoft Advertising Search ads, create image extensions yourself and associate them only with the account, campaigns, or ad groups that should use them. Then check for automatically generated image extensions and remove any unwanted ones. Microsoft says generated image extensions can be viewed and deleted, but not edited; creating your own extensions is its documented way to prevent generated images from being applied to ad groups. Availability and controls vary by account, so verify the options in your live account.
First identify which kind of image you’re seeing
“Images in Search ads” can mean more than one format. The fix depends on where the image appears and which asset type delivered it.
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| What you may be seeing | How it works | Where to control it |
|---|---|---|
| Image extension on a Search ad | An image asset associated with an account, campaign, or ad group. Microsoft may automatically crop the image for different placements. | Manage Image extensions and their associations in Microsoft Advertising. Microsoft Advertising Help |
| Multimedia ad in the Search network | A responsive-ad format with its own image assets; it is distinct from an image extension. | Manage the assets for the Multimedia ad. Microsoft’s API documentation describes the format and requirements. Microsoft Learn |
| Native Audience placement using Search creative | Search creative can extend into native placements, such as Outlook or MSN, using image extensions alongside the Search ad’s text and URL. | Check the extension and the placement where the ad appeared. Microsoft Learn |
If you’re unsure, note the ad format and placement first. Removing an image extension will not replace image assets configured directly on a Multimedia ad.
Choose images with manually created image extensions
- Open the relevant scope. In Microsoft Advertising, go to Campaigns > Ads & extensions and select the account, campaign, or ad group you want to manage. The cited Microsoft help instructions are in Spanish, so the exact English labels may differ in your account.
- Open Image extensions. Create a new extension, then upload your images or choose an eligible stock image. Microsoft requires alt text; describe what the image actually shows.
- Associate the extension deliberately. Apply it only to the account, campaigns, or ad groups that should use those images. Check existing associations as well as new ones: a higher-level association may cover more than one ad group.
- Review generated extensions. Inspect the extension list for automatically generated images. If an unwanted generated extension is present and the account offers the control, delete it. Microsoft says these extensions cannot be edited or associated with other accounts, campaigns, or ad groups.
- Preview the result. Check relevant devices and placements before launch. Cropping can change which parts of the source image remain visible.
Microsoft says accounts are automatically enrolled in generated image extensions, but the feature is not available to every account. Its documented way to prevent generated images from being applied to ad groups is to create image extensions manually; check actual behavior in your account rather than assuming the rollout or controls are identical everywhere. Microsoft Advertising Help
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Plan for image crops and layout requirements
For image extensions, Microsoft lists a required 1.91:1 source ratio with a minimum size of 703 × 368 pixels. It can crop that image to other placement ratios, so keep important subjects and text away from the edges and preview the delivered crops. The help page also lists optional ratios: 1.78:1, 1.72:1, 1.69:1, 1.55:1, 1.5:1, 1.33:1, and 0.93:1. Check current account requirements before uploading, since specifications and interface details can change. Microsoft Advertising Help
Single-image and multi-image extensions
- Single-image layout: uploaded images can rotate during delivery. Desktop displays rectangular images in multiple aspect ratios; mobile uses square 1:1 crops.
- Multi-image layout: Microsoft lists a minimum of five images and at least four image extensions. Desktop shows three images with a carousel for more; mobile shows one image at a time with swipe navigation. Restrictions apply when combining this layout with certain other extensions.
These layout details come from Microsoft’s help page; preview the actual ad because appearance depends on placement and device. Microsoft Advertising Help
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Keep Multimedia ad specifications separate
If the image belongs to a Multimedia ad in the Search network, use that format’s asset guidance rather than the image-extension dimensions. Microsoft Learn documents GIF, JPEG, or PNG files, no animation, a 5 MB maximum file size, and maximum dimensions of 2,592 × 2,048 pixels. It specifies at least one landscape image at 1.91:1 and 703 × 368 pixels, plus one square image at 1:1 and 470 × 470 pixels. These are Multimedia-ad specifications, not a replacement for image-extension guidance. Microsoft Learn
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Use stock images within their stated limits
Microsoft’s integrated Shutterstock option is available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Microsoft describes these images as free for use in ads created and served from Microsoft Advertising. A Shutterstock image must remain in its original, unaltered form. Microsoft prohibits using it for adult or unlawful or infringing content, offensive depictions, or as a trademark, service mark, or logo. Check Microsoft’s current image, audio, and video policies before using an asset. Microsoft Advertising Help
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Don’t mistake the RSA text setting for an image control
Microsoft’s January 2026 product update says autogenerated assets in Responsive Search Ads apply only to text assets. The controls announced there let advertisers turn autogenerated text off when creating an RSA or change the campaign-level setting; the Assets tab can identify and delete generated text assets. Those controls do not switch image extensions on or off. Microsoft Advertising product update
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Trace an unexpected image to its source
When an image appears that you did not expect, work through these checks:
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- Format: determine whether it is an image extension, a Search Multimedia ad asset, or a native Audience placement using Search creative.
- Scope: check extension associations at account, campaign, and ad-group levels.
- Source: establish whether the asset was uploaded, imported from Google Ads, generated by Microsoft, or selected from Shutterstock.
- Placement and crop: compare desktop and mobile previews and the visible crop with the original file.
- Available action: adjust manual associations, delete an unwanted generated extension if the option is available, or manage the Multimedia ad’s own assets. RSA autogenerated-asset controls concern text only.
If you manage extensions through the API, Microsoft’s documented flow is to add images to the media library, create an image-ad-extension record that references the media IDs, and associate the extension with campaign or ad-group objects. Microsoft Learn
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