Before you export, check that everything moves the way you want. Then choose the format that fits where the design is going. This guide covers previewing, the differences between the animated formats, fallback images, and duration limits.
Step 1 – Preview the full animation
Use these three ways to check your animation:
To check… | Do this |
The current slide | Click Play in the toolbar above the canvas, or the play button next to Layers in the timeline. |
The whole banner, all slides and transitions | Click the arrow next to Play and choose Play all slides. |
One exact moment | Turn on Show current frame in the timeline and click the ruler. |
Checklist before you export:
Every layer is fully visible long enough to be read.
No animation is cut off at the end of a slide.
The key message and button are on screen at the end, if the banner stops there.
The total length, loops included, fits your ad network's limit (see Step 4).
Step 2 – Choose an export format
Click the Download button (the blue button with the arrow) above the canvas.
Under Export as, choose a format.
For GIF and MP4, choose a preset on the next screen.
Which animated format should I use?
Format | Best for | Animation | Good to know |
HTML (HTML5) | Display ads and websites | Smooth, plays exactly as in the editor | Small files, sharp at any screen density. Supports click actions. Needs a fallback image for platforms that can't play it. |
AMP HTML | Ads on AMP pages and AMP-compatible ad networks | Same as HTML | A version of HTML5 that follows AMP rules. |
MP4 | Social media, video placements, email (as a link) | Video at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps | 30 fps is the recommended default. A video can't hold click actions of its own. |
GIF | Places that only accept images, emails, quick previews | Frame by frame: 5, 12 or 24 fps, or custom | Easy to use anywhere. Larger files and fewer colors than video. |
GIF presets:
Google Ads (5 fps) – optimised for Google Display Ads.
Social Media (12 fps) – balanced quality for Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Website (24 fps) – high quality for website headers and showcases.
Custom Settings – set FPS, lossy compression, loop count and more yourself.
GIF – Image (under Static) – exports a single slide as a still image.
MP4 frame rates: 24 fps (smallest file), 25 fps (PAL standard), 30 fps (recommended for most web ads and social) and 60 fps (ultra-smooth, for complex motion).
JPG, PNG and PDF export a still image of your design. The Embed code and AdTag tabs in the same menu give you code to place the animated design on a website or in an ad server.
Step 3 – Set the fallback image
When an HTML5 banner can't play (for example in an old browser or on a platform that blocks animation), a static fallback image is shown instead. You choose which frame it is:
Turn on Show current frame in the timeline.
Drag the fallback image marker above the ruler to the frame you want. Pick a moment where the logo, message and button are all visible.
Step 4 – Check duration limits
Ad networks limit how long animations can run. Before exporting, calculate:
Total length × loop count = total animation time
The total length is shown at the top of the Slides panel (for example 11.6 s), and the loop count is under the slides.
Network or guideline | Typical limit |
Google Ads (Display) | Animation must stop within 30 seconds, loops included |
IAB guidelines (used by many ad networks) | 15 seconds, at most 3 loops |
Requirements change, so always check the current spec of the network you're uploading to. If you're over the limit, shorten slides, lower the loop count, or turn on Stop slide on the slide you want the banner to end on. See 06 · Add slide transitions and control looping.
More help
For step-by-step instructions for each export format, see the export guides in our Help Center.
01 · Where to find the animation tools – back to the start of this collection.
Ready to start designing?
👉 Sign up for a free Bannersnack account – it only takes a minute.
👉 Already have an account? Log in here to continue where you left off.