WB Ad Manager supports five ad formats so you can display any type of advertisement — from simple banner images to Google AdSense units, fully styled native ads built with the WordPress block editor, and email capture forms for list building. Choose the format that best fits your content and advertiser needs.
At a Glance
| Ad Type | Best For | Click Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Image | Banner ads, affiliate graphics, promotional images | Yes |
| Code | Third-party ad networks, custom scripts, embedded content | Depends on the code |
| Rich Content | Native ads, styled announcements, content promotions | Yes |
| AdSense | Google AdSense units with responsive sizing | Via AdSense |
| Email Capture | Newsletter signups, lead generation, email list building | N/A (form submission) |
Image Ad
Display a clickable banner image. This is the most common ad type for affiliate banners, sponsor logos, and promotional graphics.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Image | Upload from your computer or select from the media library |
| Destination URL | Where the ad sends visitors when clicked |
| Alt Text | Describe the image for screen readers and accessibility |
| Open in New Tab | Choose yes to keep your site open in the background |
Tips
- Use standard IAB banner sizes: 300×250, 728×90, or 160×600
- Compress images before uploading to keep pages loading fast
- Always fill in the alt text — it helps with accessibility and SEO
- Animated GIF files are supported
Code Ad
Paste any HTML or JavaScript code directly into the ad. Use this for third-party ad networks, affiliate network banners, or any embed code you have received from an advertiser.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Code | Paste your HTML or JavaScript here |
| Wrap in Container | Adds a wrapper div around the code for easier styling |
Common Uses
- Google AdSense manual ad units
- Media.net or other ad networks
- Affiliate banner embed codes
- Custom tracking pixels
Security note: Only paste code from sources you trust. Malicious code can compromise your site.
Rich Content Ad
Build an ad using the standard WordPress block editor. This is the best choice for native-style advertising — ads that match your site’s look and feel, like promoted articles, styled call-to-action boxes, or branded announcements.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Content | Full WordPress block editor — add text, images, buttons, and more |
| Destination URL | Optional click-through URL for the entire ad block |
Tips
- Use your site’s fonts and colors to blend the ad with your content
- Keep the copy short and focused — it is an ad, not an article
- Add a clear call-to-action (for example, a “Learn More” button)
AdSense Ad
A dedicated Google AdSense integration that handles responsive sizing automatically. If you run AdSense on your site, this type gives you more control than pasting the code manually.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Ad Unit ID | The ad unit ID from your AdSense account |
| Format | Auto, Horizontal, Vertical, or Rectangle |
| Responsive | Enable automatic size adjustment for different screens |
Setup Steps
- Log in to your Google AdSense account
- Create or find an existing ad unit
- Copy the Ad Unit ID
- Create a new ad in WB Ad Manager and select AdSense as the type
- Paste the Ad Unit ID and choose your format
- Add your AdSense Publisher ID in WB Ad Manager -> Settings -> AdSense
Requirements
- An active Google AdSense account approved for your site
- Your Publisher ID entered in WB Ad Manager Settings
Email Capture
Build an email signup form that displays as an ad unit. Use this for newsletter signups, lead generation, and growing your mailing list. Submissions are stored in the WordPress database and can be integrated with external email services via hooks.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Headline | The main heading shown above the form (default: “Subscribe to our Newsletter”) |
| Description | Optional subtitle text below the headline |
| Button Text | Label on the submit button (default: “Subscribe”) |
| Success Message | Text shown after a successful submission (default: “Thank you for subscribing!”) |
| Show Name Field | Toggle to include an optional name field alongside the required email field |
| Redirect URL | Optional URL to send the visitor to after submission. Leave empty to show the success message instead |
| Dismiss Duration (Days) | How many days to hide the form after a visitor closes it. Set to 0 to show every visit (default: 7) |
| Privacy Text | Optional text shown below the form, such as “We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.” |
| Colors | Customize the background, text, and button colors |
How Submissions Are Stored
Email submissions are saved to the wbam_email_submissions database table. Each submission records the subscriber’s email address, optional name, the ad ID that captured the submission, and a timestamp. If the database table is not available, submissions fall back to WordPress options storage.
Key Hooks
Developers can extend the email capture form using these hooks:
Actions:
| Hook | When It Fires |
|---|---|
wbam_email_captured |
After an email is successfully submitted — use this to integrate with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or other services |
wbam_email_form_before |
Before the form renders (passes $ad_id, $data) |
wbam_email_form_after |
After the form renders |
wbam_email_form_before_fields |
Before the form input fields |
wbam_email_form_after_fields |
After all fields, before the submit button — use this to add custom fields |
wbam_email_form_after_name |
After the name field (if shown) |
wbam_email_form_after_email |
After the email field |
Filters:
| Hook | What It Modifies |
|---|---|
wbam_email_form_data |
The form configuration array |
wbam_email_form_classes |
CSS classes on the form wrapper |
wbam_email_form_button_text |
The submit button text |
wbam_email_form_success_message |
The success message text |
wbam_email_form_privacy_text |
The privacy text |
wbam_email_form_placeholders |
Placeholder text for the name and email inputs |
wbam_email_form_show_cookie_check |
Whether to check the dismiss cookie (return false to always show) |
wbam_email_form_validation |
Custom validation before saving a submission |
Tips
- Use the
wbam_email_capturedaction to send submissions to your email marketing platform - The dismiss cookie prevents the same visitor from seeing the form repeatedly after they close it or subscribe
- Add custom fields by hooking into
wbam_email_form_after_fields - The form submits via AJAX so the page does not reload
Choosing the Right Ad Type
| Scenario | Recommended Type |
|---|---|
| Affiliate banner image | Image |
| Google AdSense | AdSense |
| Third-party ad network code | Code |
| Promoted article or native ad | Rich Content |
| Custom tracking pixel | Code |
| Styled call-to-action box | Rich Content |
| Newsletter signup or lead generation | Email Capture |
| Growing your email list | Email Capture |
Related Settings
These settings in WB Ad Manager -> Settings affect ad formats:
AdSense Tab:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher ID | Your AdSense Publisher ID (starts with ca-pub-) |
Empty |
| Auto Ads | Let Google automatically place ads across your site | Off |
Modules Tab:
| Module | What It Controls |
|---|---|
| Image Ads | Enable/disable the Image ad type |
| Code Ads | Enable/disable the HTML/Code ad type |
| Rich Content Ads | Enable/disable the Rich Content ad type |
| AdSense Ads | Enable/disable the AdSense ad type |
Disable modules you do not use to simplify the admin interface and reduce unnecessary code from loading.
Related Guides
- Ad Rotation & Split Testing — Create and manage ads
- 14+ Placement Options — Where to display your ads
- Smart Targeting — Control who sees each ad