How to check ad copy before you paste it into the platform

A character counter helps you find copy that is too long before you paste it into an advertising platform. It cannot decide whether the offer is accurate, the destination works, the ad meets policy, or the text will display exactly as you expect.

Start by naming the placement. A Google responsive search ad headline is a different field from a social post or email subject. Use the row that matches the job you are doing, and verify the current platform requirements before preparing a large batch.

Check a fictional repair ad

Put “Furniture Repair by Appointment” in Headline. In Body copy, enter “Describe your chair repair. We will confirm the next step before you bring it in.” These describe a fictional service process and are demonstration copy only.

The checked run counts 31 headline characters and 81 body characters. In the tool's Google Ads rows, the headline is over the 30-character comparison value by one, while the description fits the 90-character comparison value.

The arithmetic is simple: 31 minus 30 equals one character over. But cutting an arbitrary letter would damage the sentence. Shorten the headline to “Furniture Repair” and let the description explain the appointment process. That revised headline contains 16 characters, leaving the body to carry the necessary qualification.

Google's current responsive search ad guidance allows up to 30 characters in each headline and 90 in each description. It also notes that double-width language characters count differently. Confirm the actual ad editor's count for the text and language you use. Google responsive search ad guidance

Shorten the message without changing the offer

Remove repetition first. If the headline says the service, the description does not need to repeat the same phrase twice. Replace vague praise with a concrete step. “Learn how to request an assessment” usually tells the reader more than a string of flattering adjectives.

Preserve material conditions. If a service is available by appointment, do not delete that condition simply to make a field turn green. Put it in a field that will be shown appropriately, or change the wording so the complete message still fits the intended format.

Avoid introducing a stronger claim while shortening. “Ask about availability” does not mean “Available today.” “Request a quote” does not mean “Guaranteed lowest price.” A shorter sentence can still create a larger promise than the business meant to make.

For the fictional repair ad, the important sequence is request, review, then confirmed next step. Keep that sequence clear on the landing page too. The visitor should not discover a different process after clicking.

Read the tool's table carefully

The table combines hard field comparisons and drafting guidance across several platforms. Treat those rows as prompts to check the specific current placement. A suggested title or description length is not a universal platform limit, and a “Fits?” result is not an approval notice.

The underlying counter measures text length in JavaScript. Emoji and some combined characters can differ from what a person perceives as one visible character. Spaces and line breaks also matter. Use the platform editor for the final count and preview when special characters or another language are involved.

The single-segment text-message row needs particular care. SMS segment capacity depends on encoding; Unicode content can have a different limit from GSM-7 text. A generic 160-character comparison does not establish how many billed segments a provider will send. Twilio SMS length guidance

Copy this ad-copy review sheet

• Platform and exact placement:
• Current official field limit and date checked:
• Headline and count:
• Description and count:
• Claim supported by:
• Conditions preserved:
• Destination page:
• Platform preview checked:
• Account owner approving publication:

Keep separate columns for prepared, approved, and published. A counted draft is not a live ad, and a live ad is not a qualified inquiry. If you later evaluate performance, compare actual results with the specific copy and destination used.

Use the free Ad Copy Character Counter for quick drafting. No purchase or advertising spend is needed to use it. Your next step is to check one headline and description, preserve their meaning while editing, and preview them in the correct placement before anything goes live.