AI static ad generation: benchmark methods and results · 16 October 2026
Image models create ads from five fixed briefs, using identical product-reference material in both prompt conditions. Ben scores the unedited images on fidelity, copy, claims, compliance and craft.
Reviewed 16 October 2026 · Tests and editorial direction: Ben Nancarrow · AI-assisted writing and checks.
The image test uses five briefs and one canonical product-reference contact sheet. Each brief produces one image with the simple prompt and one with the scaffold, giving ten outputs per complete run. The reference bytes are shared across models and conditions.
What changes between prompts
Provider-neutral prompts keep the task and reference constant. The scaffold adds concise ad-anatomy guidance. Prompt length is bounded rather than silently truncated, so a model is assessed on the brief it actually received.
How the result is scored
Raw outputs are human-scored for product fidelity, copy accuracy, claims safety, brief compliance and craft quality. Each dimension must reach 8 for an output to clear the usability threshold. The displayed mean is a comparison measure; it can conceal a weak individual dimension. No editing pass is added before scoring.
All 4 reviewed model results
Human-rated image quality / 10
Model
Result / setup
Scored outputs
Configuration / recorded test date
Cost / scored output
GPT Image 2.5 Sunburstprovisional
8.84/10Scaffolded prompt
10
default17 September 2026
Not recorded
Seedream 5 Proprovisional
7.64/10Simple prompt
10
default16 October 2026
Not recorded
GPT Image 2provisional
7.44/10Scaffolded prompt
10
default16 October 2026
Not recorded
Gemini 3 Pro Imageprovisional
7.12/10Simple prompt
10
default16 October 2026
Not recorded
Recorded output counts can include repeats and both prompt conditions. Configurations and cost bases are retained; joint scores remain joint.
This record preserves the evidence and interpretation reviewed together. The live explorer can advance independently. Public results include provisional evidence; the methods above define what the scores measure.