Creative template for Google Ad Manager Expander

Expander - Google Ad Manager creative template

The "Expander" template is a custom creative solution for Google Ad Manager that allows you to create interactive and engaging ads that drive conversions. This template expands a banner to another banner on user interaction, giving you the ability to showcase more information or content to your audience.

The "Expander" template requires two ads, or assets, one for the collapsed state and another for the expanded state. However, you can also use a single banner that automatically adopts the container size.

This template includes a push-down feature that pushes down the web content on expanding, allowing you to fully utilize the available space on the webpage. You can also customize the expanding event, choosing to trigger it on mouseover or by clicking on the collapsed banner, or by clicking on a configurable click-to-expand label. The "Expander" template can expand in any direction, giving you flexibility in how you present your ad.

In addition to its interactive capabilities, the "Expander" template also includes multiple tracking features such as 3rd party impression tracking and global clickTAG, allowing you to track the effectiveness of your ad campaign and make informed decisions about your marketing strategy.

Overall, the "Expander" template is a powerful and flexible advertising solution that helps you create engaging and interactive ads that drive conversions.

Supported formats: all image formats, hosted HTML creatives and HTML (JavaScript) code/tags.

This template works with any Google Ad Manager version, including the free version. It can be served via size-defined ad units only.

Screenshots

Main features

Supports asynchronous and synchronous GPT tags
Supports SafeFrame option
Upload an image directly or enter HTML code, or enter URL to self-hosted image or HTML5 banner
Expand creative to any direction
Enable "Push down" effect - pushing down a website on expanding
Expand creative after a specified time or on web page load or click or mouse over
Collapse creative after a specified time or mouse out or with a close button
Add and customize "Click to expand" button
Set location for the collapse button
Set expanding and collapsing event animation settings
Retrieve state of the creative template in HTML banner for better user experience
Serve with or without clickthrough URL
Easily track clicks for any creative, even for HTML5 banners without clickTAG implemented
Track ad impressions with 3rd-party tracking URL

Release notes

January 22, 2025
Version: 1.15.0
- NEW: Displays “AdChoices” icon (if available) to comply with DSA regulation for ad transparency.
- UPDATED: Implemented a new JS callbacks system for enhanced functionality.
- FIXED: Resolved issue with expanding collapsed creative when the same creative is used for both the collapsed and expanded states.
- FIXED: Resolved issue with missing click-through URL when the same creative is used for both the collapsed and expanded states.
May 21, 2024
Version: 1.14.1
- UPDATED: Completely redesigned animation algorithm for smoother expanding, collapsing, and progress bar transitions.
May 8, 2024
Version: 1.14.0
- NEW: Now displays errors in the configuration in the browser developer console tools (in GAM creative preview mode only).
- UPDATED: Rewritten and optimized the code in TypeScript for improved support and fewer bugs.
- UPDATED: Added CSS classes for each ad element for easier management with JS callbacks.
- FIXED: Resolved a click issue on websites with AdSense page-level ads enabled.
- FIXED: Addressed minor bug fixes.
May 3, 2022
Version: 1.13.0
- NEW: Option to enable the expanded file preload for better user experience;
- NEW: Configurations line implemented for more advanced changes in the template;
- FIXED: Minor bug-fixes.
July 23, 2021
Version: 1.12.0
- NEW: Show the "Click to expand" button even when an expanding on mouseover is enabled (also an option to hide the button).
April 23, 2021
Version: 1.11.2
- FIXED: a click URL bug with multiple params (sub-URLs).
April 22, 2021
Version: 1.11.1
- UPDATED: Milliseconds interval support for expanding on mouseover event (a value greater than 100 interpreted as milliseconds, in other cases as seconds).
March 3, 2021
Version: 1.11.0
- NEW: Accepts JavaScript callbacks - events: onInit, onLoad, onExpand, onCollapse; methods: close, expand, collapse. [Can be enabled in the customization form only].
April 19, 2020
Version: 1.10.0
- NEW: Multiple "clickTag" variables and click-tracking links support for HTML assets;
- NEW: Active view measurement support;
- NEW: Remove a creative fully by closing an expanded banner.
December 29, 2019
Version: 1.9.1
- UPDATED: now third-party tags render inside an iframe tag (some tags weren't called previously, for example, DCM "ins" tags);
- FIXED: a click URL bug with multiple params (sub-URLs).
January 3, 2019
Version: 1.9.0
- NEW: make to reload expanded HTML contents on each appearance and to remove expanded HTML contents when creative is in the collapsed state (useful when a video content should be paused in the collapsed state);
- FIXED: few minor bugs fixed.
November 14, 2018
Version: 1.8.0
- FIXED: Usage of HTML code in the template rebuilt entirely. Previously, Google Ad Manager macros (%%CACHEBUSTER%%, etc.) could not work correctly in some cases.
- NEW: Add third-party tags to creative (like MOAT tags).
January 25, 2018
Version: 1.7.1
- FIXED: Invalid values in "Expanded auto-load frequency capping" breaks template functionality;
- FIXED: Auto collapse not working in some situations.
December 15, 2017
Version: 1.7.0
- NEW: use HTML code (3rd party code) as creative.
- FIXED: Expanding/collapsing animation is fully rebuilt.
September 29, 2017
Version: 1.6.1
- Bug fix: in some specific situations Expander doesn't appear at all (ad unit container with CSS fixed position and similar cases).
September 28, 2017
Version: 1.6.0
- NEW: expand after seconds specified automatically.
July 25, 2017
Version: 1.5.0
- New feature: frequency capping for showing expanded creative after page load;
- New feature: fallback image (retina also) - appears when expanded creative width is larger that viewport width;
- New feature: collapsed ad with click through URL and customizable "Click to expand" button;
- collapsing animation as same as expanding animation.
June 21, 2017
Version: 1.4.0
- New feature: expanding animation with multiple transition effects and speed. Finally!
February 5, 2017
Version: 1.3.0
- New feature: retrieve state of creative template in HTML5 ad.
January 30, 2017
Version: 1.2.0
- Make creative expanded on load (new feature);
- expanding with push-down effect (new feature);
- collapse creative automatically after specified seconds (new feature);
- horizontal positioning updated.
January 19, 2017
Version: 1.1.1
- Bug fixes
January 14, 2017
Version: 1.1.0
- Cross-browser compatibility fixes (IE8 compatibility);
- the Z-index CSS property changed.
December 29, 2016
Version: 1.0.0
- Initial release

View full changelog

Preview

Check this template functionality and features on the preview page.

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Pricing

Solo Template

Perfect for single projects

$169 one-time

Perpetual license (no auto-renew)

1 chosen template
Unlimited usage across GAM networks & websites
Included support coverage: 1 GAM network + 1 website for 30 days
Email support SLA: ≤ 72h (business hours)
Updates: bug-fixes & compatibility for this template for 1 year

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Creator Library

For creative professionals

$699 / year

≈ $58 / month – Billed annually

All templates (current & future)
Unlimited usage across GAM networks & websites
Included support coverage: 1 GAM network + 1 website
Email support SLA: ≤ 48h
Continuous updates

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Pro Library

For growing agencies

$1,399 / year

≈ $117 / month – Billed annually

All templates (current & future)
Unlimited usage across GAM networks & websites
Included support coverage: up to 5 GAM networks & 10 websites
Email support SLA: ≤ 24h
Priority in update queue
Early access: 30-day head-start to new templates
$450 custom-template credit

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Publisher Suite

For large enterprises

$2,899 / year

≈ $242 / month – Billed annually

All templates (current & future)
Unlimited usage across GAM networks & websites
Included support coverage: all GAM networks & all websites
Email support SLA: ≤ 12h
Priority in update queue
Early access: 30-day head-start to new templates
$900 custom-template credit
Roadmap influence + onboarding session

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Usage vs. Support coverage: You can use templates on unlimited GAM networks and websites. Support coverage defines where our team provides hands-on help.

SLA: Response times measured in business hours.

All prices exclude VAT where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Yes — plan changes can be made anytime via Stripe Checkout and take effect immediately. Upgrades are prorated automatically.

Can I upgrade from Solo to a subscription later?

Yes. If you purchased a Solo template, you can upgrade to any subscription within 30 days and we’ll credit the Solo purchase price toward your first year. The credit is applied at checkout; if you don’t see it, contact support and we’ll take care of it.

Is there a free trial available?

We don’t offer a free trial. However, you can buy a Solo template to do a quick trial run and upgrade to a subscription later.

Every account also includes two free templates — Iframer and Clipbanner — so you can test how our templates work before purchasing. If you still have concerns, contact us and we’ll help you evaluate fit.

What payment methods do you accept?

We currently accept credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). Payments are processed securely by Stripe.

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. You'll retain access to all templates until the end of your current billing period.

What is a “custom template”?

A custom template is a creative template for Google Ad Manager built to your exact requirements (design, interactions, tracking, and integration details).

Standard pricing is $1300 per custom template. (Pro includes a $450 credit; Publisher includes a $900 credit.)

What support is included?

All plans include email support with response times varying by plan. Pro and Publisher plans include priority support and dedicated assistance.

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