300×600 Large Skyscraper Ads: AdSense Results and 2026 Tips
Is the 300×600 large skyscraper ad worth using in AdSense? In 2013 we tested the 300×600 large skyscraper AdSense ads (also called the half page ad) in our sidebar, soon after Google released the size. Big advertisers liked it, but we saw some odd variations: single text ads, fallback 160×600 ads and lots of empty space. Here is what we learned then, and how to use 300×600 ads in 2026, when most AdSense sites use responsive ad units.
Quick answer: The 300×600 large skyscraper (half page) is still a standard AdSense display ad size and one of the higher-earning formats for desktop sidebars, because it fits large image and video ads. In 2026, use it in a sticky desktop sidebar or let a responsive display ad fill a 300-pixel-wide sidebar, and do not force it on mobile, where it can push content down.
Table of Contents
What is a 300×600 large skyscraper ad?
The 300×600 unit is 300 pixels wide and 600 pixels tall. It fits the same width as the popular 300×250 medium rectangle but is more than twice as tall, so it can show a large image ad, rich media, or several text ads stacked together. Google added it to AdSense for all publishers in November 2012, along with other larger “brand-friendly” sizes. Google’s Display Business Trends report had found the 300×600 was one of the fastest-growing premium ad sizes, favoured by brand advertisers because it makes a strong visual impact.
We placed it in our sidebar on launch day. At first it showed only text ads, with image ads arriving as more advertisers created creatives in the new size. Our advice then still applies: the unit naturally replaces a 300×250 medium rectangle in the sidebar, but it takes a lot of space, so an above-the-fold placement pushes everything else in the sidebar down.
Our 2013 experience with 300×600 AdSense ads
- Eight text ads with arrows: the common text version looked clean with good white space.
- One large image ad: a rich image ad filled the whole space, so that single ad had to be good enough to get the click.
- Four text ads: sometimes only four ads showed, leaving a big blank area.
- 160×600 fallback: when an image ad won the auction, a narrower 160×600 skyscraper sometimes appeared inside the space, which looked awkward in a sidebar designed for 300 pixels.
- A single text ad: the worst case, one text ad stretched across a tall space.
Our takeaway then: the 300×600 unit can earn well, but you must design the sidebar so it still looks good when the ad changes shape or size. We had earlier tested other extra large ad formats with similar lessons.
How to use 300×600 ads in 2026
- Prefer responsive display ads: in a 300-pixel sidebar, a responsive unit often serves 300×600 or 300×250 automatically, whichever earns more.
- Use a fixed 300×600 only on desktop: hide or swap it on small screens with CSS media queries.
- Make it sticky: a sticky sidebar ad keeps the unit visible as readers scroll, which improves viewability. Keep it below the header and do not let it cover content.
- Reserve the space: set a min-height of 600px on the container to avoid layout shift (CLS) when the ad loads.
- Allow text and display ads: make sure both ad types are allowed so more advertisers compete.
- Test with AdSense experiments: compare a 300×600 against a 300×250 plus content in the same place.
300×600 vs other sidebar sizes
| Size | Name | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 300×600 | Large skyscraper / half page | Desktop sidebars, high visibility |
| 300×250 | Medium rectangle | Sidebar, in-content, mobile |
| 160×600 | Wide skyscraper | Narrow sidebars |
| 336×280 | Large rectangle | In-content on desktop |
See Google’s guide to ad sizes for the full list of supported sizes.
FAQ
Do 300×600 ads earn more?
They often earn a higher CPM than smaller sidebar units, because large image and video ads compete for them. Results depend on your audience and placement, so test.
Can I use 300×600 ads on mobile?
It is allowed, but a 600-pixel-tall ad takes most of a phone screen. Use responsive ads on mobile instead.
When did AdSense launch 300×600 ads?
Google made the 300×600 large skyscraper available to all AdSense publishers in November 2012.
Why does my 300×600 ad show a smaller ad?
AdSense can fill the slot with a smaller ad when that earns more or when no large ad is available. Collapse or style the container so empty space does not look broken.
Is the 300×600 the same as a half page ad?
Yes. 300×600 is called the large skyscraper in AdSense and the half page ad in IAB ad standards.
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For me text banners work great but still in recent time i observed high ctr with text adds. Well text add allow readers to engage in the advertisement.
Sometimes text ads do perform really well, especially if they are well targetted and offer multiple ad choices to click.
it is great when it covers the entire space with text ads but the most of the time it shows only one text ad and covers the entire 600 space which looks damn ugly so my experience in one of my blog has been to bad for me.
That single text ad is the biggest problem with this ad unit.
I’m trying it also at the moment. An advantage could be that you need only one script and still get op to 8 text ads. But has to fit with site purpose and design.
I think old large ads is best for getting better results.
Agreed, I tried using 300X600 but it wasn’t that great. Even if the UI suffers, I would have used it for a better CTR. However, the CTR was pretty bad as well. So I have switched back to 300×250 at my blog for now.
I think that 300×250 would work better also and has a huge ad inventory as well.
I tried the 300*600 banner on my website but found that there arent any image ads available for this size… this is a relatively new size and there aren’t many image advertisers for this slot..
As far as text ads are concerned… 6 text ads in one go decreases the user experience as the website with 6 continuous ads looks too spamy…
I really think they need to rope in more big advertisers for the success of this unit. 8 text ads does look spamy.