Trust sells. But in a world where everyone claims to be the best, real customer proof is what makes people believe it. We've analysed 60+ top-performing testimonial ads (so you don't have to) to bring you the 12 best examples that turn happy customers into high-converting campaigns. Plus, we're giving you 10 easy-to-edit templates so you can create trust-building, sales-driving ads in minutes.
[Short on time? Jump straight to our swipe file with 60+ proven testimonial ads and downloadable templates here.]
What are testimonial ads and why do you need them?
Testimonial ads leverage genuine experiences from your existing clients to convince potential customers that your product or service delivers real results. They serve as strategic pieces of social proof that go beyond traditional marketing. While your typical ads require you to trumpet your own excellence, testimonial ads put your satisfied customers in the spotlight, allowing their authentic voices to build credibility for your brand.
People trust recommendations from other customers 12 times more than they trust marketing claims from brands themselves. Testimonial ads bridge this trust gap, creating an authentic connection with your audience through relatable stories and experiences.
The power behind customer proof
Investing in well-crafted testimonial ads delivers multiple benefits that directly impact your bottom line. First, they build immediate credibility by showing real results from real people, cutting through the noise of marketing claims and promises. This social proof creates a powerful psychological trigger known as "consensus" - when we see others benefiting from something, we're more likely to believe we will too.
Testimonial ads also address objections before they arise, as your satisfied customers often highlight the exact concerns that might be holding potential clients back. They're versatile across all marketing channels, from social media and Google ads to landing pages and email campaigns. Perhaps most importantly, they tell authentic stories that humanise your brand and create emotional connections with prospects, transforming abstract benefits into concrete, relatable outcomes.
What makes a testimonial ad hit the mark?
Before we look at the examples, let's quickly cover what your testimonial ad needs to achieve:
Authentic feedback from real, identifiable customers
Specific results and tangible benefits rather than vague praise
Strategic framing that highlights your unique selling points
Clean, on-brand design that directs attention to the testimonial
Clear information about who gave the testimonial (name, position, company)
A strong call-to-action that builds on the testimonial's credibility
Proper formatting for the platform where the ad will appear
Now, let's look at how successful brands are putting these principles into practice.
Finding and collecting powerful testimonials
The foundation of any great testimonial ad is, obviously, a great testimonial. To collect powerful customer feedback, start by identifying your most satisfied customers through metrics like NPS scores, repeat purchases, or engagement with your brand. Reach out with a specific request, explaining exactly how you'll use their feedback and making the process as simple as possible for them.
Ask questions that prompt specific, results-focused responses rather than general feedback. For example, instead of "Did you like our product?" try "What specific problem did our product help you solve?" or "What measurable results have you seen since using our service?" When possible, capture video testimonials as they offer more flexibility - you can always extract quotes for text-based ads, but you can't create video content from written testimonials.
Always get proper permission in writing, and consider offering small incentives (like discount codes or early access to new features) in exchange for their time. Remember to follow up with a thank you and show them how their testimonial is being used - this maintains goodwill and may encourage them to provide updated testimonials as they continue to see results.
Designing impactful testimonial ads
The design of your testimonial ad can make or break its effectiveness. Start with a clean, uncluttered layout that puts the testimonial front and center. Use your brand colours and typography for consistency, but don't let design elements overshadow the testimonial itself.
Include a high-quality photo of the customer whenever possible - seeing a real person dramatically increases trust. For extra credibility, add their full name, title, and company (with permission, of course). If they've achieved specific results, highlight these with bold typography or simple infographics.
The testimonial text should be easily readable, so keep it concise and use a font size and colour that stands out against the background. Place your logo and call-to-action strategically - they should be visible without distracting from the testimonial itself. Finally, create variations optimised for different platforms, considering the specific dimensions and viewing contexts of each.
12 Testimonial ad examples to learn from
1. MOJO (Supplement Brand)
MOJO's testimonial ad perfectly blends product showcase with user experience. The visual shows both the product packaging and the actual gummy, creating instant product recognition.
What makes this testimonial effective is the conversational tone that mirrors how people actually talk: "Why is the internet obsessed with this gummy?" The testimonial addresses curiosity while delivering clear results: "10/10 focus & energy." The subtle arrow pointing to the product creates a visual connection between the testimonial and what's being sold, while the five-star rating adds credibility. The cheerful smiley at the bottom reinforces the positive emotional benefit.
2. Cake Meds (Wellness Brand)
Cake Meds takes a bold approach with this testimonial ad that leverages humor and double entendre to grab attention. The testimonial "My guy feels harder...than I have felt in quite some time" immediately creates curiosity through its playful ambiguity.
The design smartly displays the product being used, showing exactly how the supplement is taken, which educates potential customers. Including the customer's name (Joseph) and the five-star rating adds authenticity. The clean, minimalist styling keeps focus on both the testimonial and product while maintaining the brand's approachable personality through the playful typography in the logo.
3. AG1 (Nutritional Supplement)
AG1's testimonial ad demonstrates the power of specificity in customer feedback. The German-language ad (which translates to "What our customers say") features a clean, premium design that perfectly aligns with their health-focused brand.
The testimonial from Harry highlights concrete benefits: "First positive effects: The tiredness is no longer present during the day and I feel focused, concentrated." This specific outcome is much more compelling than vague praise. The product is beautifully photographed with the green supplement visible inside the bottle, creating visual appeal while demonstrating the product in use. The five-star rating reinforces credibility while the teal background creates a calming, health-associated colour palette.
4. K9 Natural (Pet Food)
K9 Natural's testimonial ad demonstrates perfect alignment between visual elements and testimonial content. The quote "I have tried numerous brands of food for my dog and this is by far and away the best" creates immediate credibility by acknowledging the competitive landscape.
The design places the testimonial prominently above the product display, creating a natural reading flow from problem to solution. Including Sharon - HAPPY CUSTOMER humanises the feedback while establishing her as a peer rather than an expert, making the testimonial relatable to everyday pet owners. The clean kitchen setting subtly suggests wholesome, quality ingredients while the arrangement of multiple product variants shows the range available.
5. Nutribullet (Kitchen Appliance)
Nutribullet's testimonial ad brilliantly shows the product in action, displaying both the appliance and the end result (the green smoothie). This visual storytelling immediately demonstrates the core benefit before you even read the testimonial.
The five-star review "I am officially in love! It's slim, beautiful enough to leave out on my counter, blends smoothly and so quickly, and is soooo easy to clean!" addresses multiple common buyer concerns: aesthetics, functionality, and maintenance. By highlighting these specific points, the ad anticipates and resolves potential objections. The crisp photography with colourful ingredients creates visual appeal that reinforces the healthy lifestyle the product enables.
6. Self-Help Product (Personal Growth)
This testimonial ad stands out by featuring an expert endorsement that adds substantial credibility. The quote from Laureen, identified as a therapist and verified buyer, creates powerful social proof by showing that even professionals in the mental health field value this product.
What makes this testimonial particularly effective is that it addresses multiple audience segments: "...for people who are looking for personal growth who may not be able to afford therapy, and/or for people in therapy it is a great tool to accelerate it!" This framing positions the product as both an alternative and a complement to professional services. The clean design with citrus elements creates a fresh, uplifting aesthetic that reinforces the theme of personal growth.
7. DoNotAge (Supplement Brand)
DoNotAge's testimonial ad demonstrates the effectiveness of specificity in building credibility. The testimonial from Tracey Stark, HR includes her profession, creating context and relatability for professionals with busy lives.
The quote specifics exactly what products worked for her ("pure NMN powder, hydrolysed collagen peptides, and hyaluronic acid") and makes a powerful commitment statement: "I'm a customer for life." This declaration of loyalty carries significant weight. The design includes subtle DNA imagery that reinforces the science-based positioning, while the deep green colour palette suggests natural ingredients and wellness. The professionally shot product image creates a clean, premium impression.
8. Jones Road (Beauty Brand)
Jones Road's testimonial ad takes a bold, minimal approach with a single powerful declaration: "I will never wear traditional foundation again" – Bobbi. The simplicity creates impact, while the absolute phrasing ("never") conveys complete conviction.
The design showcases the product from multiple angles, clearly displaying the texture and colour variations available. The impressive "10,406 5 Star Reviews" statistic provides overwhelming social proof that amplifies the single testimonial. By keeping the design clean and product-focused, the ad lets the numbers and the testimonial speak for themselves, perfectly aligning with the brand's minimalist aesthetic and no-nonsense approach to beauty.
9. Timeline (Skincare Brand)
Timeline's testimonial ad cleverly uses a headline-style quote that tells a complete story: "Timeline Skin Health Turned My Frown Upside Down While Erasing My Smile Lines." This playful wordplay creates intrigue while clearly communicating benefits.
The design smartly shows a close-up of a smiling mature woman with beautiful skin, visually reinforcing the testimonial's claims. The "As featured on the Quality Edit" reference adds third-party credibility from a trusted publication. Showing the product alongside the satisfied customer creates a clear visual connection between the product and results. The elegant typography and clean layout reflect the premium positioning of this skincare brand.
10. Monday.com (Project Management Software)
Monday.com's testimonial ad demonstrates the power of featuring a specific, credible business user. The quote from Chris Funk, Senior Director of Product Innovation at Zippo (a recognised brand), carries significant weight for potential business customers.
The testimonial focuses on concrete business outcomes: "monday.com has enabled our group to launch more product categories and expand into more markets." This result-focused approach speaks directly to what decision-makers care about—business impact rather than just features. The clean design with the brand's signature purple creates recognition, while the clear CTA "Request a live demo" provides an immediate next step for interested prospects.
11. JOOVV (Health Device)
JOOVV's testimonial ad uses brevity to create impact with the simple quote: "Has helped more than I could imagine" from Caroline W. This understated testimonial creates curiosity—it doesn't explain exactly how it helped, encouraging viewers to learn more.
The five-star rating adds credibility while the product image clearly shows the red light therapy device in a clean, clinical setting that reinforces its health technology positioning. The minimalist approach keeps focus on the product itself, allowing its distinctive design to create visual interest. This ad demonstrates that sometimes less is more when the product has a unique, eye-catching appearance.
12. GoodRx (Healthcare Savings)
GoodRx's testimonial ad demonstrates the power of addressing financial pain points directly. The headline "Great discounts" immediately communicates the core benefit, while the testimonial focuses on a specific, relatable outcome: "By using good rx we are able to afford my husband's medication."
The personal story creates an emotional connection, showing how the service impacts real lives. Including specific product details ("We save even more with good rx gold") provides an upsell opportunity without feeling pushy. The clean, clinical design with a medication bottle creates immediate context for healthcare savings, while the Trustpilot rating ("4.4 / 5 | 1,867 reviews") adds substantial third-party credibility. This ad effectively combines personal testimony with statistical proof, creating multiple layers of trust.
Technical requirements and ad dimensions
When creating your testimonial ads, keep these specifications in mind:
Facebook/Instagram Feed: 1080 × 1080 pixels (square) or 1200 × 628 pixels (landscape)
Facebook/Instagram Stories: 1080 × 1920 pixels (portrait)
LinkedIn: 1200 × 627 pixels (landscape)
Twitter: 1200 × 675 pixels (landscape)
Google Display Network: 300 × 250, 336 × 280, or 728 × 90 pixels
File size: Generally under 5MB (varies by platform)
Format: JPG or PNG for static ads, MP4 for video testimonials
Text overlay: Keep under 20% of the image area for Facebook/Instagram
Remember to check each platform's current specifications before finalising your designs, as requirements may change.
Common testimonial ad mistakes to avoid
Before you start designing, watch out for these common pitfalls:
Using generic, vague praise instead of specific results
Featuring anonymous testimonials that reduce credibility
Overcrowding the ad with too much text or visual elements
Forgetting to include context about the customer's situation
Using stock photos instead of real customer images
Creating testimonials that sound too perfect or scripted
Neglecting to update testimonials as your product evolves
Using the same testimonial across all platforms without optimisation
Creating your own testimonial ads
Ready to design your own conversion-driving testimonial ads? You've got three main options:
Use our templates: We've created 10 customisable templates you can adapt for your brand (download here)
DIY design: Use tools like Canva or Figma with our technical specifications
Professional help: Work with a design team (like DesignGuru) to create something unique
Free testimonial ad templates
We've scrolled through hundreds of ads, searching across industries to compile this comprehensive swipe file of 60+ high-performing examples. The 12 showcased above represent our top selections, but you'll receive the complete collection along with our 10 professionally designed templates to streamline your marketing efforts.
Each template:
Follows proven conversion principles
Works across multiple platforms with minor adjustments
Includes properly positioned elements for maximum impact
Comes with customisable text, colours, and image placeholders
[Download your free templates here]
Need something more custom?
We've shown you how top brands transform customer feedback into powerful visual content that builds trust and drives conversions. By focusing on specific results, authentic voices, and strategic design, these 12 examples demonstrate the core principles of effective testimonial advertising.
Many marketers find it challenging to balance authenticity with persuasive design when creating testimonial ads. Our DesignGuru founders, Will and James, specialise in crafting testimonial creatives that convert by highlighting the exact elements that make your customers' stories compelling. Book a call with us today and transform your customer feedback into your most valuable marketing asset.
Your testimonial ads serve as powerful tools for building trust and driving conversions. Whether you use our templates or create something completely custom, focus on showcasing authentic customer stories that highlight specific results.
Cailyn works across digital marketing and content creation, producing social media content, blog articles, and marketing materials. She has a keen interest in brand storytelling and audience engagement, ensuring content is both impactful and aligned with marketing goals.
