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Implementation guide

Multiplex ad

Multiplex ads

A native ad that shows several ads together, in a grid, in a single unit. Widely used at the end of articles.

  • AdSense
  • mobile and desktop, usually at the end of the article or in the sidebar
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Mobile

Understand it in 1 minute

What the multiplex ad is

The multiplex ad is like a bulletin board. Instead of a single poster, several small posters appear, arranged in rows and columns. Each little square is a different ad, with image and text. All of this comes from a single ad unit, which you place only once on the page.

It is a native format, meaning you can change the style, such as colors and fonts, to match the site. This format used to be called Matched content and also showed links to other texts on your own site. From March 1, 2022, Google began showing only ads in this unit and changed the name to Multiplex. In the same change, Google removed the eligibility rules, and all AdSense publishers became able to create this unit.

Publishers usually place the Multiplex at the end of articles or in the sidebar. The idea is simple: when the person finishes reading, they still look around the page for what to do next. At that moment, a grid of ads makes use of the end of the visit without disrupting the reading. Google recommends a responsive size, which adjusts to the screen. If you want your own size, the shape should be roughly 2 by 1 (landscape) or 1 by 2 (portrait). No side can exceed 1200 pixels, and only one of the sides can exceed 600 pixels. Traditional banner sizes, such as 728x90, should be avoided.

The Multiplex is worth using when your site has articles that people read to the end, or a sidebar with free space. It takes a spot that would normally be empty. Like every AdSense ad, it must follow the ad placement policies.

Step by step

How to implement

  1. Open the right menuSign in to AdSense, click Ads, then By ad unit and choose Multiplex ads.
  2. Give it a nameWrite a name that is easy to recognize for the unit.
  3. Choose the sizeUnder Ad size, prefer responsive, which is the recommended one. Use the preview to see how it changes on different screens.
  4. Adjust the styleUnder Ad style, change colors and fonts to match the site and click Create.
  5. Paste the codeCopy the code and paste it into the HTML of the pages where the grid should appear.
  6. Track the resultsIn Reports, create an ad unit report and add the Requested format breakdown.

Implemented example

The code and how it looks on screen

Paste this code into the page HTML, usually right after the end of the article or in the sidebar.
<script async
     src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0000000000000000"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:block"
     data-ad-format="autorelaxed"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-0000000000000000"
     data-ad-slot="1234567890"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
On desktopIt appears as a grid with several ads side by side, each with image and text, usually after the end of the article or in the sidebar.
On mobileThe grid adjusts to the screen. In an example from Google's help, the same unit shows 4 ads in one column on mobile and a 2x2 grid on a computer.

What Google recommends

Do and don't

Allowed

  • Place the Multiplex at the end of articles or in the sidebar, the places most used by publishers.
  • Change colors and fonts under Ad style to match the site.
  • Use the responsive size, which is the recommended one, or your own size with a shape of about 2 by 1 or 1 by 2.
  • Write a label above the ad. Google's policy only allows the labels Advertisements or Sponsored Links.
  • Change rows, columns and layout type through the responsive unit code, knowing that Google says these options are deprecated and does not guarantee they will keep working.

Not allowed

  • Create your own size with any side above 1200 pixels, or with both sides above 600 pixels.
  • Use traditional banner sizes, such as 728x90, which Google asks to avoid in this format.
  • Placing the grid under a misleading heading, such as Resources or Useful links.
  • Placing the grid right next to links or to play, download or navigation buttons, where the click can happen by accident.
  • Ask for clicks or offer any reward for clicking.

Tips

To do it right

Watch out

Common errors

Blank unit

This happens when the total number of ads you set is outside the range of 1 to 30, or when the unit is too wide for the number of ads you chose.

Fewer ads than expected

Google may change the number of rows and columns to fit the space. On small screens or narrow units, fewer ads appear.

Setting up only part of it

To customize the unit, you need to set the rows, columns and layout type options together. If one is missing, the customization does not work.

Expecting links to your own site

Since March 2022, the unit shows only ads. It no longer recommends text from your own site, as the old Matched content did.

Frequently asked questions

Is Multiplex the old Matched content?

Yes. On March 1, 2022, Matched content units started showing only ads and were renamed Multiplex.

Where is the best place to put it?

Publishers usually place it at the end of articles or in the sidebar, to reach people who have finished reading.

Can I choose the number of rows and columns?

Yes, through options in the responsive unit code. But Google says these options are deprecated and that the exact number of rows and columns is not guaranteed.

Can any AdSense site use it?

Yes. With the 2022 change, Google removed the eligibility restrictions, and all AdSense publishers can use the format.

Library

Official Google source

Everything on this page follows Google's official documentation. Read it straight from the source:

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