The Power of Creative Testing
Creative Strategy
Jan 11, 2026
Rigorous testing of ad creatives is not just a good practice; it's vital to elevating your mobile ad campaigns to new heights. By rigorously testing variations in ad creatives, companies can discover what captures attention, engages consumers, and drives conversions—turning good campaigns into great ones.
The Importance of Creative Testing
Creative testing provides valuable insights that help marketers optimize advertisements for maximum engagement. This process involves experimenting with different versions of ad creatives to determine which elements resonate best. A/B testing can vastly increase conversions by up to 400%; for instance, Microsoft’s Bing search engine achieved a 12% increase in revenue specifically through A/B testing.
"We've seen firsthand the impact that meticulous creative testing can have on our campaigns. Working with CRAFTSMAN+ has enabled us to not only optimize our ad creatives but also to dive deep into what truly engages our audience."
— Capucine Thiebault, Producer and Creative Strategist at Wildcard Games
Best Practices for Designing High-Quality Creatives
Before you can test your creatives, you must first design them with intent. Here are five strategies for crafting top-quality assets:
Start with Impact: Open with a dynamic, engaging moment that makes viewers pause their scrolling. This could be a stunning visual or an intriguing question that taps directly into viewer interests.
Emphasize Branding Early: Introduce your brand within the first few seconds. A subtle logo or integrated product shot builds familiarity and improves brand recall without being overly intrusive.
Demonstrate Key Features: Whether showcasing gameplay or product utility, use authentic examples to convey the true value and innovation of your offering.
Clarify Your Message: Ensure a coherent narrative. Avoid confusing the audience with disjointed scenes; instead, use supportive text or visual effects to highlight specific benefits.
Conclude with a Compelling CTA: Finish with a persuasive Call to Action (CTA) like "Play Now" or "Discover More." The right CTA turns interest into measurable action.
Successful Examples of Creative Testing
“Strike of Nations” by Babil Games
Babil Games tested different branding placements to isolate its effect on performance. They developed four versions: no branding, logo with a border, logo on the end card, and integrated branding throughout.
[Image: Babil Games Creative Testing Comparison Chart]
The version with the logo prominently displayed on the end card significantly outperformed the others, achieving a 24% lower Cost Per Install (CPI) and a 27% decrease in cost per registration.
Unroll.me App
When NielsenIQ re-launched Unroll.me, they utilized micro-influencers to create authentic TikTok ads. By testing these relatable visual assets against traditional ads, Unroll.me achieved over 100,000 installs per month and a 75% reduction in Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) across all major paid media platforms.
TL;DR: The Power of Creative Testing
Strategic creative testing significantly enhances campaign performance by identifying the optimal setup for engagement and conversion.
Babil Games: Optimal branding placement achieved a 24% lower CPI.
Unroll.me: Authentic UGC content drove a 75% reduction in CPA.
Ready to see how rigorous creative testing can transform your digital advertising efforts? Request a Demo with CRAFTSMAN+ today and unlock the full potential of your ad creatives.
The Power of Creative Testing





