Looking to boost your Click-Through Rate (CTR) on ads? Here’s a proven strategy backed by 500 million ad impressions.
📊 AdBasis analyzed nearly half a billion ad impressions and found a striking pattern:
✅ Ads that include images of people get, on average, a 12% higher CTR than those without.
Why Do Images of People Boost Ad Performance?
🔹 Human Connection – People are naturally drawn to other human faces. When they see a person in an ad, they’re more likely to pause, look, and engage.
🔹 Trust & Relatability – Seeing real people makes your brand feel more authentic and less “salesy.”
🔹 Emotional Impact – Facial expressions convey emotions, which trigger faster and deeper engagement with your audience.
🔹 Eye-Tracking Effect – If a person in the image is looking at the CTA or product, it guides the viewer’s attention toward the action you want them to take.
How to Apply This to Your Ads
💡 1. Use High-Quality, Engaging Faces
✔️ Close-up shots work best – clear facial expressions grab attention
✔️ Make sure the image aligns with your brand’s tone and audience
✔️ Use real people over generic stock images whenever possible
💡 2. Experiment with Emotional Cues
✔️ Smiling faces evoke positivity and approachability
✔️ Curious or surprised expressions can pique interest
✔️ Expressive eyes help drive engagement
💡 3. Direct Gaze to Key Elements
✔️ If a person is looking at your CTA button, product, or offer, viewers will subconsciously follow their gaze
💡 4. A/B Test for Best Results
✔️ Test different facial expressions, demographics, and placements
✔️ Compare CTRs between ads with and without people
✔️ Optimize based on engagement data
The Takeaway
If your ads don’t include people, you’re likely missing out on 12% more clicks—which means higher engagement, lower ad costs, and more conversions.
📌 Test this in your next ad campaign and watch your CTR climb! 🚀