Why doesn't google allow custom sizes

instead of adding pre-determined sizes?

[ideavirus]

Hello,

Instead of adding/increasing the ad formats/sizes very often, why doesn't google just allow any custom size to be used by the publisher?

Whats limiting them?

Cheers

[ronin]

Well, for a start, I imagine they don't want to run out of ad inventory. But also, they don't want AdSense acolytes to start putting up fill-a-page 10x10 adsense panels in a bid to get more clicks.

A choice of one, two or four adverts per page is pretty good. How many would you like? >;->

[wwuser]

You may know that Google recently started offering a bunch more formats, including the Wide Skyscraper, which shows *5* ads. I switched to this one, and my CTR has more or less doubled. If you haven't seen the new formats, log in and check them out.

[danny]

Some three-ad options would be nice. I'd go for one with the width of the leaderboard and the height of the banner (728x60).

[runboard]

A slightly higher leaderboard might be good as well, something like 728x120.

[ken_b]

I'd like custom sizing too. But I imagine it wouldbe more difficult for them to control and serve.

I did just switch a page from the 120x600 to a 250x250 and it looks great. I gave up one ad, but the layout works much better.

[jonknee]

Google is probably pretty picky on sizes for a good reason: looks. They know how big headlines/descriptions are. Give somebody the chance of screwing up and they will.

[edit_g]

They're also trying to fit in with traditional online advertising formats - most big sites have ad slots on their pages and they come in pretty standard sizes.