AI Ad Copywriting: Write Ads That Actually Convert

You’ve got your offer. You’ve picked your traffic source. Now you need ads that actually get clicks.

The problem: Writing 5 headlines, testing them, waiting for data, then repeating takes forever. By the time you find a winner, you’ve burned through budget learning what doesn’t work.

AI fixes this. Not because it writes better copy than you (it doesn’t). But because it generates 50 headline variations in the time it takes you to write 5. You test 10 angles instead of 2. You iterate at the speed of your ad platform’s learning algorithm.

This is the system I use for every new campaign. The prompts are copy-paste ready.

What AI Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)

AI generates volume. 50+ headlines in minutes. Variations you wouldn’t think of. Instant adaptation across platforms.

AI doesn’t understand your audience, know your offer’s unique value, guarantee conversions, or replace testing. You still provide strategy. Data still picks winners.

The quality of your output depends entirely on your input. Garbage brief = garbage copy. Specific brief = copy that’s 80% there.

Step 1: Build Your Copy Brief (Do This First)

Before you open Claude, build your brief. Skip this and you’ll get generic output you can’t use.

Fill this out for every campaign:

Once you have this, paste it into every prompt. You’re giving AI the raw material instead of making it guess.

The AIDA Framework (Use This for Every Ad)

Every ad needs four elements:

With AI, generate variations for each stage, then mix and match to find winning combinations.

Headline Frameworks That Convert

Use these patterns when prompting AI. They work across platforms.

The Number Framework

“[Number] [Adjective] Ways to [Achieve Outcome]”

Examples:

• “7 Proven Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill in Half”
• “5 Simple Steps to Finally Sleep Through the Night”
• “3 Marketing Tactics That Actually Work in 2026”

Numbers work because they’re specific. “Ways to save money” is vague. “7 proven ways” is concrete and scannable.

The Question Framework

“[Question That Implies Desired Outcome]?”

Examples:

• “Tired of Wasting Money on Ads That Don’t Convert?”
• “What If You Could 2X Your Revenue in 90 Days?”
• “Still Doing Your Bookkeeping in Spreadsheets?”

Questions work because they engage the reader’s brain. They can’t help but answer internally.

The How-To Without Framework

“How to [Achieve Outcome] Without [Common Obstacle]”

Examples:

• “How to Build Muscle Without Living at the Gym”
• “How to Grow Your Email List Without Paid Ads”
• “How to Learn Spanish Without Boring Textbooks”

This framework works because it addresses the objection directly. “I want X but Y is stopping me.”

The Mistake Framework

“The #1 Mistake [Audience] Make with [Topic]”

Examples:

• “The #1 Mistake New Investors Make with ETFs”
• “The Fatal Flaw in Most Marketing Funnels”
• “Why Most Diets Fail (And What to Do Instead)”

This triggers loss aversion. Nobody wants to be making a mistake they don’t know about.

Google Ads Copy: Ready-to-Use Prompts

Google RSA limits:

• Headlines: 30 characters (up to 15)
• Descriptions: 90 characters (up to 4)

Include these limits in your prompt or you’ll waste time editing.

Copy-Paste Prompt: Google Search Ads

Write Google Search Ad copy for:

KEYWORD: [target keyword]
OFFER: [what you're promoting]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [who]
UNIQUE VALUE: [key differentiator]
CTA GOAL: [what you want them to do]

Generate:

15 HEADLINE OPTIONS (max 30 characters each):
- 3 with exact keyword match
- 3 with primary benefit
- 3 with social proof or numbers
- 3 with urgency/scarcity
- 3 with unique angle or differentiator

4 DESCRIPTION OPTIONS (max 90 characters each):
- 1 feature-focused with CTA
- 1 benefit-focused with CTA
- 1 social proof with CTA
- 1 problem/solution with CTA

For each headline/description, show the character count in brackets.

RECOMMENDED AD COMBINATIONS:
Show 3 complete ad setups (pin recommendations for Headlines 1-3)

Display URL path suggestions (2):

What Actually Matters

• Keyword in Headline 1 - Table stakes for Quality Score
• Benefits in Headlines 2-3 - What do they get?
• Use all 15 headlines - More options = better optimization data
• Pin sparingly - Only if you need specific messaging in specific positions

Full campaign setup: Google Ads with AI

Facebook/Meta Ads Copy: Stop the Scroll

Facebook is interruption marketing. They’re not searching for you. Your copy needs to stop the scroll before anything else matters.

Character Limits:

• Primary text: ~125 visible before “See More”
• Headline: 40 characters
• Description: 30 characters

Copy-Paste Prompt: Facebook Ads

Write Facebook Ad copy for:

OFFER: [what you're promoting]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [demographics, interests, pain points - be specific]
AD OBJECTIVE: [traffic/conversions/leads]
CREATIVE TYPE: [image/video/carousel]
TONE: [professional/casual/urgent/playful]

Generate:

5 PRIMARY TEXT OPTIONS:
Each should:
- Hook in first line (before "See More" cutoff)
- Address specific pain point or desire
- Include clear value proposition
- End with soft CTA that flows naturally

For each version, show it formatted exactly as it would appear in the ad (with line breaks).

5 HEADLINE OPTIONS (max 40 characters):
Show character count for each.

5 DESCRIPTION OPTIONS (max 30 characters):
Brief supporting text.

ANGLE VARIATIONS:
Same offer, 3 completely different angles:
1. Pain point angle (what's the frustration?)
2. Aspirational angle (what's the dream state?)
3. Social proof angle (who else is doing this?)

Show each angle as a complete ad set (primary + headline + description).

What Actually Matters

• Hook in the first line - If they don’t stop scrolling, nothing else matters
• Questions increase engagement - “Ever felt like…” “What if you could…”
• Match copy to creative - Image shows product, copy expands on benefit
• Test emoji vs. no emoji - Varies by audience

Full campaign setup: Facebook Ads with AI

Native Ads Copy: Look Like Content

Native ads live on content sites (Taboola, Outbrain, MGID). The goal is to look like editorial content, not advertising.

Character Limits:

• Headline: 50-100 characters (varies by network)
• Description: Optional, varies by placement

Copy-Paste Prompt: Native Ads

Write native ad headlines for:

OFFER: [what you're promoting]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [who]
LANDING PAGE TYPE: [advertorial/listicle/direct offer]
PLATFORM: [Taboola/Outbrain/MGID]

Generate 20 headline options in these categories:

CURIOSITY HEADLINES (5):
Headlines that create knowledge gaps. Should make readers want to know more without being misleading.
Pattern: "[Unexpected fact] + [Implied benefit]"

NEWS-STYLE HEADLINES (5):
Headlines that look like editorial content. Should blend with publisher content.
Pattern: "New [Discovery/Method/Study] Shows..."

LISTICLE HEADLINES (5):
Number-based headlines that imply scannable content.
Pattern: "[Number] [Things/Ways/Signs]..."

QUESTION HEADLINES (5):
Headlines that ask questions targeting specific concerns.
Pattern: "[Question that resonates with pain point]"

For each headline:
- Show character count
- Rate clickbait risk (low/medium/high)
- Note any potential compliance flags

TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS:
Pick the 5 strongest headlines and explain why they'd work for this offer.

What Actually Matters

• Don’t look like an ad - All caps and “BUY NOW” kill native CTR
• Curiosity > Clickbait - Knowledge gap without misleading
• Test images hard - On native, images often matter more than headlines

Full campaign setup: Native Ads with AI

TikTok & Short-Form Video Hooks

TikTok ads live or die in the first 3 seconds. The hook is everything.

Copy-Paste Prompt: Video Ad Hooks

Write video ad hooks for:

PRODUCT: [what you're selling]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [who]
VIDEO STYLE: [UGC/studio/screen recording]
LENGTH: [15/30/60 seconds]

Generate:

10 OPENING HOOKS (first 3 seconds):
Each hook should:
- Stop the scroll immediately
- Create curiosity or emotional reaction
- Be speakable in under 3 seconds
- Feel native to the platform (not like an ad)

Categories:
- 2 controversy/hot take hooks
- 2 "I was wrong about..." hooks
- 2 question hooks
- 2 result/transformation hooks
- 2 trend/timely hooks

For each hook, write:
- The exact words (under 10 words)
- What comes next (1 sentence)
- Why this stops the scroll

FULL 30-SECOND SCRIPT (2 versions):
Version A: Problem-focused (start with pain)
Version B: Result-focused (start with outcome)

Structure: Hook (3s) > Problem/Context (7s) > Solution (10s) > CTA (5s) > Urgency (5s)

Video Hook Patterns That Work

The “Wait What?” Hook: “I spent $47,000 on ads last month and here’s what happened…”

The Controversy Hook: “Stop doing [common practice]. It’s killing your [metric].”

The Result Hook: “This one change added $10,000 to my monthly revenue.”

The Question Hook: “Why does everyone say [common advice] when [contrarian take]?”

Full campaign setup: TikTok Ads with AI

Fix What’s Not Working

This is where AI saves you hours. Rapid iteration based on data.

Copy-Paste Prompt: Diagnose Underperforming Ads

This ad isn't converting. Help me diagnose and fix it.

CURRENT AD:
Platform: [platform]
Headline: [headline]
Primary text: [if applicable]
Description: [description]
CTA: [current CTA]

PERFORMANCE:
Impressions: [number]
CTR: [percentage]
Conversions: [number]
CVR: [percentage]

LANDING PAGE: [URL or description]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [who we're targeting]
OFFER: [what we're promoting]

Diagnose:
1. What's likely wrong with this ad? (Be specific)
2. Is there message mismatch between ad and landing page?
3. Which element is the weakest? (headline/description/CTA/offer)
4. Is the targeting potentially wrong for this copy?

Generate fixes:
- 5 alternative headlines addressing the weakness
- 3 alternative descriptions
- 2 completely different angles to test
- 1 "nuclear option" - completely different approach

For each fix, explain what you're changing and why.

Copy-Paste Prompt: Scale Winning Ads

Found a winner? Create variations that keep the winning element while testing others.

This ad is performing well. Help me create variations to scale.

WINNING AD:
Headline: [headline]
Description: [description]
CTR: [percentage]
CVR: [percentage]

What's working (my hypothesis): [your guess at why it's winning]

Generate variations that:
1. Keep the winning element (identify what you think it is)
2. Test different secondary elements
3. Maintain the same tone and angle

Provide:
- 10 headline variations (keep the winning structure)
- 5 description variations
- 3 "adjacent angles" (similar but slightly different value prop)
- 2 "risky variations" (bigger swings that might beat the control)

For each variation, note what you changed and what you kept.

Testing Framework: Let Data Pick Winners

AI generates options. Data picks winners. You provide strategy.

Test in this order:

Most campaigns fail at the angle/offer level, not the copy level. Test big things first.

Copy-Paste Prompt: Analyze Test Results

Analyze these ad test results and tell me what to do next:

TEST DATA:
| Variant | Headline | Impressions | Clicks | CTR | Conversions | CVR | CPA |
[Paste your data table]

CONTEXT:
Target CPA: [goal]
Current best performer: [which variant]
Budget remaining: [amount]

Analyze:

1. STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE
- Which results are statistically significant?
- Which need more data?

2. WINNER ANALYSIS
- What made the winner work?
- What patterns do you see across top performers?

3. PATTERN IDENTIFICATION
- Which elements correlated with higher CTR?
- Which correlated with higher CVR?
- Any surprising findings?

4. NEXT TESTS
Based on these results, what should I test next?
| Test | Hypothesis | Expected Impact |

5. SCALING RECOMMENDATIONS
- How should I scale the winner?
- What variations should I create?
- Any audiences this might work better with?

Character Limits (Quick Reference)

Bookmark this:

Include these limits in every prompt. Otherwise you’ll waste time editing down.

Mistakes That Kill Your Ads

Zero context prompts - “Write me some Facebook ads” gives you generic garbage. Use the brief.

No character limits - You’ll waste time cutting 90-character descriptions down to 30.

Using AI copy without editing - Read it aloud. Does it sound like a person wrote it?

Skipping compliance review - AI doesn’t know your industry’s regulations. Check every claim.

Launch Checklist

Brief Complete:

• Offer clearly defined
• Audience specifically described
• Pain point articulated
• Unique value identified
• Proof points gathered
• Compliance requirements known

Copy Ready:

• Multiple headline frameworks used
• Character limits respected
• Benefits emphasized
• Clear CTAs

Testing Plan:

• Multiple variations ready
• Testing priority set (angle > headline > CTA > description)
• Success metrics defined

What to Do Next

You have copy. Now you need campaigns that convert.

If you’re launching your first campaign: Pick one platform. Google Ads if your audience searches for solutions. Facebook if you need to create awareness. Start with the prompts above, generate your variations, and launch with at least 5 headline tests.

If you have campaigns running: Use the diagnostic prompt on your worst performer. Fix one element at a time. Test against your current control.

Related guides:

• Campaign Optimization - Turn losing campaigns profitable
• Scaling Campaigns - Scale what’s working
• Google Ads with AI - Full campaign setup
• Facebook Ads with AI - Full campaign setup